LOVE "ROARS" - AINT IT THE TRUTH ... AINT IT THE TRUTH !!!

VENUS began its "roaring" transit through the dramatic and romantic sign of Leo yesterday, August 26th, at 12:30 AM EDT ... Venus was last in Leo from July 12th through August 5th, 2016 ... A reminder, Venus was retrograde in Leo from July 31st through September 6th, 2015 going from 29 degrees back down to 14 degrees Leo before stationing back into direct motion ... so don't be surprised if something should resurface from that period when Venus crosses those degrees this time from September 5th through September 19th !!!



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 ... 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 !!!



BUT ... keep in mind we are currently in another Mercury retrograde period which doesn't end until September 5th, so for all that roaring we may be infused with, starting a new relationship, or even a partnership, might not be the best thing to do until Mercury stations direct - especially when the last 6 days of the Mercury retrograde will take place in the sign of Leo ... gotta love that cosmic sense of humor !!!



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 September 19th ... 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 26 days !!! 

MOVING FORWARD AGAIN ON MUCH MORE SOLID, SECURE FOUNDATIONS ???

SATURN - the planet representing authority figures, discipline, effort, sense of order, limitations, the urge for safety and security, tests us by placing obstacles and restrictions in our lives, shows what we are unsure of or truly fear, known as FATHER TIME, and most notoriously known for being the celestial taskmaster teaching us the lessons we must learn in life - stationed back into direct motion today, August 25th, at 8:09 AM EDT ... these lessons we MUST learn through the obstacles we often encounter which sometimes are easier but more frequently become extremely challenging and difficult on our journey through this life in order to make us slow down so we can build strong foundations and structures in our lives that are on solid ground !!!

While Saturn has been in retrograde motion since April 5th/6th this year, hopefully we have all been reviewing and trying to restructure systems, programs, organizations, corporations and rules that will allow them to function more efficiently ... we also were given the time and opportunity, if we used it wisely, to become more aware of our own personal authority and power and determine whether or not it fits within society or is actually undermining us and needs adjustment on some level ... in addition, we all should have been reviewing whether or not societies rules and policies are helping to give us needed structure or limiting us in some way thus preventing further personal and spiritual growth !!!

Now that Saturn has resumed direct motion, we should begin to be better able to see where we stand and thus continue building even more secure structures and foundations in our lives individually and as a society as well ... no doubt we may have encountered limitations or restrictions either self imposed or imposed by authority figures during this retrograde period ... and perhaps now the Universe will even throw in yet another road block or two our way to make us realize whether or not we made good use of this retrograde period !!!

This Saturn retrograde period, which began back on April 5th/6th, occurred from 27 degrees 48 minutes Sagittarius back down to 21 degrees 11 minutes Sagittarius ... if you know in your natal chart in which house or houses these degrees fall, then you may understand where in your life this Saturn retrograde was making its impact - especially if it made any aspects to your natal planets as well as your natal angles - cusps of the 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th houses ... Saturn has been at the 21 degree mark of Sagittarius since July 24th and at and astrological "standstill" around 21 degrees 11 minutes Sagittarius since August 21st yielding the potential for that to have been a very challenging period for many people !!!

Saturn now moves forward to continue its transit through the sign of Sagittarius which initially began on December 23rd, 2014 ... it will finally complete its full transit through the sign of Sagittarius on December 19th when it begins its transit through the most fabulous sign of the zodiac - Capricorn which is the sign it naturally rules in the zodiac !!! ... Saturn will not return to the sign of Sagittarius until February 21st, 2044 !!! ...  below is a reminder of what the energy of Saturn in Sagittarius has had the potential to yield in our lives during its transit through Sagittarius :

Saturn's mission in Sagittarius 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 continues to place you on a huge learning curve in the "school of life" giving you the opportunity to achieve positive personal and spiritual growth even though at times it might not be easy … what have you been learning and having to possibly restructure in your life since December 23rd, 2014 ??? 

My fellow Capricorns, our planetary ruler is just about to complete its transit through Sagittarius and move into a new sign ready to teach us another set of lessons if we release fear and allow change to take place … but we all had the potential to 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 has been trying 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 !!! 

Capricorn born, now it's time for us to conclude our period of review, reflection and rethinking of what has transpired in our lives, especially since April 5th/6th, and move forward as this is our ruling planet ... we have a yearly period of about four and a half months to review and rethink !!!

Saturn is currently the only planet transiting through the sign of Sagittarius ,,, Saturn remains in direct motion until April 17th/18th, 2018 ... as previously mentioned, Saturn will complete its transit through the sign of Sagittarius on December 19th, 2017 !!!

Saturn is most frequently teaching all of us very difficult lessons ... but holding firm and staying positive will get us through this stronger and better able to deal with life and its many challenges ... so if you keep your feet firmly planted and try to understand that the "light at the end of the tunnel" usually signifies greater personal as well as spiritual growth, you will definitely come through a much stronger person and able to handle this journey through life more efficiently for the lessons you have taken seriously and made great personal effort to learn from ... you will certainly be better equipped to deal with life and its many constant challenges not just from Saturn !!!

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

JUST WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK ... WORK ... WORK !!!

The Sun began its "highly efficient" transit through the methodical, discriminating sign of Virgo yesterday, August 22nd, at 6:21 PM EDT ... the cosmic solar energy now lowers the curtain on the flamboyant and dramatic energy of Leo which can produce so many overblown egos and has shifted into a slower, more highly work oriented mode of operation ... with the Sun in Virgo, one likes to shine through their competency, through their work and/or health, through being pragmatic, and through their tendency towards discretion !!!

Virgo is a feminine/earth/mutable(flexible) sign ... it is reserved, modest, practical, very discriminating and industrious, highly analytical and painstaking, and always seeking to know and understand ... its key phrase is "I ANALYZE" and it's keyword is "Practicality" ... its glyph is the Greek spelling for the word "virgin" ... anatomically it rules the nervous system and the intestines - this energy can make one prone to illness caused by stress and nervous tension ... it can also make one highly prone to ulcers ... it is the sign directly opposite of Pisces in the natural zodiac where one can be dreamy, given to imagination, self-delusion and escapism ... Virgo is the sign of work and self-improvement yielding a perfectionist nature which will dissect and analyze - often over-analyzing - all of the facts in order to obtain the ultimate truth and gather all available information ...

Virgo is ruled by the planet Mercury - the second sign Mercury rules - the other being Gemini ... Mercury is the ancient God of communication and commerce ... Mercury rules intelligence and reason, and tends to give one a rather high strung temperament ... Mercury represents the intellectual urge, reasoning ability and all avenues of expression ... so naturally it would rule mental capacity, dexterity, rationalization, sensory perceptions, travel - in particular short trips, brothers and sisters, children, speaking, writing, bookkeeping, secretaries, neighborhood activities, letters, mailings, means of transportation, trade and techniques ... where you find Mercury in your natal chart is the place which shows where and how you best communicate ...

Virgo naturally rules the 6th house of the horoscope ... it is a house of duty and substance ... it relates to ones work, health and habits ... it shows employment, employees, tenants, servants, pets, and dependents ... it also shows service to others, routine day to day matters, ones clothing and how it is worn, hygiene, interest in food and health, sickness and all conditions that would affect ones health ... this house also shows aunts and uncles, self-adjustment, and the unconscious mind ... in this house, work and health are tied together ...

The Sun transiting Virgo teaches us to learn how to live productively through rational analysis ... here we have the perfectionist ... through constant analysis we seeking a state of purity ... this energy must have some kind of work or be of some kind of service for life to make sense ... it is energy that is continuously preparing for something ... there is a need here to perfect some kind of technique through vigorous study and training and through this one can reduce the everyday wear and tear on the nervous system and the intestinal  area ... proper rest, retreat and good diet are a MUST here ... serve your body well and it will serve you and others well in return !!! ... the energy of the Sun in Virgo can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: thoughtful, analytical, lively mind, observant, scholarly, precise, pure intentions, discriminating, helpful, problem-solving, wholesome, health-conscious, industrious, methodical, efficient, reliable, modest, considerate, pure

NEGATIVE: over thinks, skeptical, worrier, critical, dry, fault-finding, interfering, problem-making, fussy, hypochondriac, workaholic, inflexible, overly mechanical, spoil sport, unsure, stand-offish, sterile, petty, melancholy, picky

HAPPY SOLAR RETURN VIRGO BORN !!! ... The Sun, now joins Mercury, which is currently retrograde in Virgo and will be so for the first 9 days of this solar transit and will return in direct motion for the last 14 days of this solar transit ... that's a lot of  energy being placed under the Universal microscope seeking details and perfection !!! ... The Sun remains in the sign of Virgo until September 22nd !!!



During the 32 days the Sun will be in transit through Virgo, we will be immersed in facts, figures, daily work and service issues, health and nutritional issues, and possibly family issues on some level ... BUT ... we must learn to step back and look at the larger picture which is a very difficult and challenging task under this energy  ... if something is working, DO NOT TRY TO FIX IT !!! ... help where it's not needed becomes a hindrance ... understand that true perfection consists of being able to accept life's imperfections and not worry so much about picky, petty issues ... think of the mind as a "lens" with the ability to focus on what is not only close up but far away as well !!!

SO what is there left to say ??? ... JUST WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK ... WORK ... WORK - AND PERHAPS IN MANY CASES HAVE TO REWORK ... REWORK ... REWORK !!!

NAVIGATING CAUTIOUSLY THROUGH THE TURBULENT WATERS OF COSMIC CHAOS !!!

Whether we like it or not - NOT in most cases !!! - MERCURY began its second (technically 3rd but it came in with the New Year already in retrograde motion which started in December 19th, 2016) RETROGRADE journey for 2017 Saturday, August 12th, at 9:01 PM EDT .... if you've been following my blogs, then you know exactly what to expect during a Mercury Retrograde - EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!!! ... this is another dual sign Mercury retrograde, and this Mercury retrograde period may prove a even more irritating since Mercury begins its retrograde journey in one of the sign it naturally rules - the double whammy and then concludes its retrograde journey in the late degrees of Leo which is ruled by the Sun which rules overall health and vitality ... don't blame the messenger for the message !!!



Some of you may have noticed the energy beginning to move backwards already when Mercury entered its shadow point - the point where it will come out of the retrograde on September 5th - back on July 24 when it reached 28 degrees 25 minutes Leo ... now 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 ... this Mercury retrograde is a dual sign retrograde, as previously mentioned, going from 11 degrees 38 minutes Virgo back to 28 degrees 25 minutes Leo ... Mercury was last completely retrograde in Virgo from August 30th through September 21st/22nd, 2016 going from 29 degrees 5 minutes Virgo back to 14 degrees 49 minutes ... it was last retrograde in Leo, which also was a complete sign retrograde, from July 14th through August 7th/8th, 2012 going from 12 degrees 33 minutes Leo back to 1 degree 26 minutes Leo ... anything come to mind from those periods in your life in relation to the Mercury retrograde ???



Obviously communications are going to be challenged both to and from others - partnerships and relationships often hit the skids during these periods ... it is NOT a good time to make major purchases - especially Cars - a big NO NO, 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 during the retrograde period .... it is also not a good idea to enter into contracts or start new jobs as they will most likely not pan out and end up being dead ends .... 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 ... I have frequently found, though, that in some charts I've done, people born under a Mercury retrograde sometimes seem to thrive during these periods because they innately understand the backward energy and how to work with it ...



It is very important to understand that Mercury retrogrades are NOT ALWAYS the harbingers of doom and gloom ... 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 go back to rethink and review our actions especially as the energy relates to the current sign that the planet is transiting through ... bottom line - though we often joke about it, retrogrades shouldn't always be feared and dreaded but perhaps approached cautiously ... the Universe is giving us a chance to right our wrongs and redirect ourselves to achieve more beneficial personal and spiritual growth !!!



Mercury retrogrades are simply a time for reviewing and revision ... as the saying goes, "it might be a good idea to drop back and punt" !!! ... 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 ... it is said that the use of Mercury retrograde cycles are to reconnect the individual with the Universal rhythm ... this is NOT the time to make vast sweeping changes ... rather one should keep an eye open for possibilities that could prove more satisfying once the energy has returned back to direct motion ...



Mercury retrograding in Virgo will certainly give rise to issues regarding daily work and service, health and nutrition, and possibly family issues ... as Virgo rules the intestinal area in the body, there could easily be issues there as well in addition to other health issues that might arise as Mercury naturally rules the 6th house which includes health and nutrition ...



As Mercury retrogrades in Virgo, Mercury in Virgo already "slows" down the mental process with Virgo being an Earth sign, and adding retrograde energy to it just complicates matters where there is already the tendency to over analyze everything down to the last detail !!!! ... As Virgo is the natural ruler of the 6th house of the horoscope, one might also expect to encounter issues regarding employment, employees, tenants, servants, pets, dependents, service given to others, routine matters, your clothes and how you wear them, hygiene, interest in food and ones diet, sickness and all conditions affecting your health ... the 6th house also relates to ones aunts and uncles, self-adjustments and ones unconscious mind ... it is important to note that in the 6th house work and health are linked together !!! ... if you've had a natal chart done and know in which house or houses 11 degrees 38 minutes Virgo back to 0 degrees 0 minutes Virgo lies in your chart, then you may get a good idea as to what the main issues for the first part of this Mercury retrograde has in store for you !!!



On August 31st, Mercury returns to the sign of Leo at 11:29 AM EDT ... Mercury retrograding in Leo could certainly cause issues to arise in regards to romance, creative pleasurable activities, emotional attitudes, the love we give to others, social affairs, the education of children, and any dramatic, literary, or artistic endeavors as these are the areas ruled by the 5th house of the natural zodiac which Leo naturally rules ... Leo is ruled by the Sun and as such, there could also be issues arising in regards to ones personal expression, the quality of leaderships and success, the father, husband and men in general, health, vital principles, authority and bosses, rank, title, high office, progress, dignity, energy, sense of identity, ones capacity for experience ... anatomically there could be issues with the heart, back or spine, the right eye of the male and the left eye of the female !!!



Mercury retrograde in an Earth sign, this time being Virgo, causes us to question what the actual tangible results of ones life truly are ... Mercury retrograde in a Fire sign, this time being Leo, causes us to question how any means of inspiration can helpfully create a better future for ourselves !!!



Gemini and Virgo born since Mercury is your natural ruling planet, this is your time to "try" and slow down for personal review and rethinking - especially in regards as to what has transpired in your lives since Mercury last resumed direct motion on May 3rd ...  needless to say Virgo and Leo born may especially feel the impact of this energy since Mercury is retrograding through your birth sign !!!



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 (September 5th).

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. Hold off until AFTER September 5th !!!

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 in September after the 5th, you will most likely 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. Smile.

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, dear heart?


And so it is. Three times a year, sometimes four, we live with this cosmic "going to teach you patience routine". All and all when this retrograde period is over you may "Realize" 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 !!!"



Those born between August 13th and September 4th will definitely have Mercury retrograde energy in their birthday chart for the whole year ahead ... those born on August 12th and September 5th may or may not get this backward energy depending on the time of your solar return this year !!! ... below is a repeat explanation of what it means to have Mercury Retrograde for the whole year in your birthday chart:

The significance of having Mercury retrograde in your yearly birthday chart or, as we refer to it in Astrology, a Solar Return, is summed up below by Mary Fortier Shea in her book titled "Planets in Solar Return" :

"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 can 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 ...


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, now becomes a time to review and rethink what is going on in our lives and especially what may have been started or done during the last Mercury retrograde, that being April 9th through
May 3rd, or, like Gemini and Virgo born, actions we undertook since the last Mercury Retrograde ended on May 3rd ... and it would not be out of the realm of possibilities to have issues arise from previous Mercury retrogrades in particular the retrograde periods from December 19th, 2016 through January 8th of this year, August 30th through September 21st,22nd, 2016, April 28th through May 22nd, 2016, and January 5th through January 25th, 2016 ... all of these being the most recent Mercury retrogrades within the last year and a half ...



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 25 days ... Mercury remains retrograde until September 5th !!!



So slow down and try not to act too impulsively and swim upstream in a raging current of cosmic chaos or the day may come in the near future when you live to regret what you did ... be aware that tempers will flare and patience may become very scarce at times ... most importantly, keep that sense of humor close at hand ... it will definitely be needed many times during the next 3 and a half weeks !!!



As always my fellow beings of light, when all is said and done, the burning question becomes will we become the victim of Constant Cosmic chaos, the recipient of great Cosmic Clarity - or perhaps both ???

A REBEL WITH OR WITHOUT A SPECIFIC CAUSE ???

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 2017 yesterday, August 3rd, at 1:31 AM EDT at 28 DEGREES 31 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 28 DEGREES 31 MINUTES ARIES back down to 24 DEGREES 34 MINUTES ARIES fall, then you might get an idea in what area of your life this retrograde energy will most likely play out ...



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 close to completing its transit 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 the 28 degrees Aries position since June 13th creating a lot of tension and irritation on many levels no doubt especially this last week as it was "astrologically" at a standstill !!! ... 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 January 2nd, 2018 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 29th, 2016 ... 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 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 ???

LEARNING TO LOVE ONESELF AS WELL AS OTHERS THROUGH NURTURING !!!

VENUS - the planet of love, affection, attraction, social interactions and desires began its emotional swim through the nurturing, intuitive sign of Cancer Monday, July 31st, at 7:41 PM EDT  ... Venus was last in Cancer from June 16th through June 11th/12th, 2016 !!!  

Venus transiting through a WATER sign such as this takes on an even more emotional rather than an intellectual connection to everything it is attracted to ... Venus in Cancer enjoys home, food, nurturing and/or dependency ... it can be very sensitive and protective in relating to people, and it appreciates emotional warmth and attachments ... affection is expressed protectively, tenaciously and in a nurturing manner ... pleasure is found through security ... ones comfort level may well depend on feeling like part of a "family" !!!



Venus in Cancer produces a preference to share within a very closely attached group ... if one should lack faith under this energy, there could be a result of moodiness, shyness, over protection - including self and others, and stinginess which could interfere with the potential for closeness and the ability to enjoy life ... money and possessions are usually handled cautiously ... there is a desire to nurture and/or be nurtured in ones love relationships ... closeness involves dependency, care taking and receptivity ... this Venus energy can be somewhat thin-skinned and truly needs to hear the words "I love you" often !!!

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

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

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



Cancer born individuals, this is your time to "glow" as Venus moves through your birth sign and shines its "love light" on you ... be nice and kind enough and you just might get what you ask for !!!

Venus is currently the only planet transiting through the sign of Cancer ... Venus remains in the sign of Cancer until August 25th/26th depending on which time zone in which you live ... and keep in mind the last 14 days of this Venus transit will have the next Mercury retrograde embedded in it so be extra careful about starting any significant relationships or important projects - especially if money is involved !!!

Perhaps we all now could try and use Mother Nature as a "role model" for how to nurture and nourish  ourselves as well as others ... allowing others to sometimes lean on you will help prevent you from continuously leaning on others too much ... by admitting to our hopes and what hurts us we can ultimately encourage others to do so as well ... but  be on guard because, with the potential for the love of food being greatly heightened, as the old saying goes, ONE WHO INDULGES - BULGES ... and in the case of this particular "loving" energy, it could be in more than one way !!!



For the next 26 days, try to relax and enjoy as the Universe is guiding us and teaching us how to gently navigate through the emotional "waters" of love - even though there may be the potential for a little chop in those "waters" with the influence of the Mercury retrograde !!!