COSMIC CHAOS ... COSMIC CLARITY - OR PERHAPS BOTH !!!

Whether we like it or not - NOT in most cases !!! - MERCURY began its second RETROGRADE journey for 2018 on  Thursday, July 26th, at 1:03 AM EDT - late evening July 25th depending on the time zone in which you live .... if you've been following my blogs, then you know exactly what to expect during a Mercury Retrograde - EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED !!! ...  this Mercury retrograde journey occurs entirely in the sign of  Leo going from 23 degrees 27 minutes back to 11 degrees 32 minutes Leo ... Leo is ruled by the Sun which rules overall health and vitality ... and to add to the confusion and disruption it is completely embedded in the current Mars retrograde which began back on June 26th - 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 August 18th/19th - back on July 7th when it reached 11 degrees 32 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 ... Mercury was last completely retrograde in Leo 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 ... and need I even have to mention the issue this energy can cause if you are getting married ??? ... 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 Leo could certainly cause issues to arise in regards to romance - therefore marriages during this period could greatly affected, 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 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 April 15th ...  needless to say Leo born may especially feel the impact of this energy since Mercury is retrograding through your birth sign especially should it pass over the degree of  your natal Sun as well as anyone who has a natal planet that retrograde Mercury will form an aspect with during its retrograde journey !!!



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 (August 18th/19th).

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 August 18th/19th !!!

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 July 27th and August 17th will definitely have Mercury retrograde energy in their birthday chart for the whole year ahead ... those born on July 25th/26th and August 18th/19th may or may not get this backward energy depending on the time of your solar return this year !!! ... many of you will get Mars retrograde as well as it is currently in retrograde motion until August 27th ... ALL Leo born will get the Mercury retrograde energy in their solar return chart for the year ahead as well as most all Leo getting the Mars retrograde energy !!! ... check out my previous blog on July 22nd to get a reminder of what Mars retrograde in a birthday chart has the potential to produce ... 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 March 22nd through April 15th, or, like Gemini and Virgo born, actions we undertook since the last Mercury Retrograde ended on April 15th... 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 2nd/3rd through December 22nd, 2017, August 12th through September 5th, 2017, April 9th through May 3rd, 2017, and December 19th, 2016 through January 8th, 2017 ... 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 August 18th/19th and will be completely embedded in the current Mars retrograde !!!



So definitely try to 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 - probably has already happened since Mars stationed retrograde !!! ... most importantly, keep that sense of humor close at hand ... it will definitely be needed many times through this roughly 24 day period and even until Mars stations back into direct motion on August 27th !!!



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

"WHAT IS IT THAT WE'RE LIVING FOR - APPLAUSE ... APPLAUSE" !!!

The Sun began its "majestic" transit through the dramatic, romantic, proud sign of Leo on Sunday, July 22nd, at 5:01 PM 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 during this 33 day solar transit ... 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 .... but just how "dignified" and efficient this transit will be becomes the "burning" question as Mars is retrograde during the entire transit and Mercury will be retrograde in the sign of Leo for 22 days of this transit !!!

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 - even though ALL of you will get Mars retrograde in your solar return chart for the year ahead while some will get Mercury retrograde in it as well !!!



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 - getting ready to station retrograde on July 26th entirely in the sign of Leo- and Mars already in retrograde motion ... that is a lot of optimistic, positive energy surrounding us - make good use of it if you can navigate the choppy waters of the two personal planet retrograde energies !!!



The Sun remains in the sign of Leo until August 22nd/23rd depending on which time zone in which you live  ... and to reiterate, Mars will be retrograde this entire transit with Mercury being embedded in the Mars retrograde as well in this solar transit for 21 days which could have the potential to cause some issues with the drive to be so creative !!!



This larger than life energy compels each one of us to take "center stage" in some area of our life ... and as the lyrics to that famous song goes - "WHAT IS IT THAT WE'RE LIVING FOR ... APPLAUSE ... APPLAUSE" !!!

MY GET UP AND GO GOT UP AND WENT !!!

MARS - the planet representing the urge to get what you want, sexual drive, initiative, courage, raw energy and desires - began its RETROGRADE journey for 2018 on Tuesday, June 26th, at 5:05 PM EDT ... many of you may have already felt or witnessed some manifestation of this retrograde once Mars entered its shadow point back on May 12th ... now that we are about a month into this retrograde period, what have you been experiencing in your life or seen happening in the lives of others in regards to Mars being retrograde ???




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 achieving your goals, 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 in a positive manner... 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 yielding the awareness that the time has come to develop new strategies and approaches for dealing with issues, personal anger and whether or not we express it in a healthy manner, and to learn positive assertiveness ... sometimes we prefer to drop back and let others take the lead for awhile even though it is a good bet that we will not be satisfied in the end with that course of action ... also it is possible that a male figure from ones past may come back around that one may need to settle some form of unfinished business with !!!





Mars makes a retrograde journey for about 9 - 10 weeks out of its 26 month cycle ... Mars was last retrograde from April 14th through June 29th, 2016 going from 8 degrees 54 minutes Sagittarius back to 23 degrees 3 minutes Scorpio ... anything come to mind from that period in your life ???




This 26th month cycle becomes significant as we are used to Mars energy moving forward since it takes about two years to return to its natal position in ones birth chart and thus spends about two months in each sign ... the direct and retrograde stationing movement of Mars occurs most frequently in Cancer, Leo and Virgo, and least frequently in Sagittarius and Aquarius due to its eccentric orbit around the Sun ... Mars could be considered a "double twin" of the Earth as it tilts on its axis in almost the same way as the Earth, but Mars has 4 six month seasons instead of 4 three month seasons like we have here on Earth ... the Earth orbits the Sun in 1 year and Mars in 2 years thus the Earth finally catches up with Mars roughly every 2 years and 2 months = 26 month cycle !!!




Frequently Mars retrogrades will bring 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 exerted is inappropriate or non productive ... 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 major new beginnings especially per contract or verbally since the energy often isn't there to carry it through ... obviously you can't just "sit tight" for nearly two and a half months, but there are good reasons, if at all possible, to hold off as the waiting may ultimately prove to be a blessing in the long run ... often things begun under a Mars retrograde may begin to run into problems when it stations back into direct motion - that being August 27th, at some point during the next two years, as a result of another personal planets' - in this case being Mercury and Venus - retrograde energy, or perhaps when Mars takes its next retrograde journey which will be in September of 2020 !!!




Most challenging, this Mars retrograde occurs during some of the most popular months for couples to say "I DO", and marriage during a Mars retrograde is a huge NO-NO and even more so this time as once again there will be a Mercury retrograde completely embedded in it during part of the time !!! ... if you are curious about how the Mars retrograde energy has the potential to affect your marriage, have someone mark the time you are pronounced as married and consult a reputable astrologer who can run a natal chart for the marriage to determine in which house retrograde Mars falls and therefore in which area of life the challenge may rise for the two of you ... needless to say, it is NOT a good idea to being a major new romantic involvement as it could prove to be constantly challenging, fall apart rather quickly or have major issues arise during the next Mars retrograde which will bring it to an end once and for all !!!




This Mars retrograde is another dual sign retrograde period going from 9 degrees 13 minutes Aquarius back to 28 degrees 37 minutes Capricorn ... if you've had a natal chart done, you can look to which house or houses where these degrees fall and get an idea of where, in your life, you might be rethinking some kind of action you have taken or where you might encounter delays or even shift into a different  direction !!!




If you have any natal planets in the signs of Aquarius and Capricorn within the retrograde degrees, you will have the potential to experience some kind of backward or off-kilter energy produced in relation to the planet and the area of life in which house it is placed as Mars retrogrades over or in aspect to that planet ... Mars retrograde energy has the potential to produce some action if it aspects 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 will find 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 to deal with, they probably abused the principles of aggression and personal initiative, and they are frequently in competition with themselves !!!




Mars will spend the first 48 days of this retrograde period in the sign of Aquarius in which it began its initial backward transit on June 26th ... Aquarius is the natural ruling sign of the 11th house of the natural horoscope ... this is the house of group relationships whose keyword is social consciousness ... in this house exists the capacity for friendships, your attitude toward your friends and acquaintances as well as all non-emotional relationships ... this house indicates what it is that you most desire in life, your personal goals, the love you receive, and the money you obtain or obtained from your profession or business ... the 11th house also represents step-children, foster children, and adopted children ... it also concerns circumstances over which one has little control in life ... it is the human addressing humanitarian interests, the way one sees others, large and small organizations, clubs one may belong to, which all may somehow relate to ones career  !!!




Uranus is the planet which rules the sign of Aquarius ... it is the planet which represents the urge for freedom often referred to as "divine discontent" and whose keyword is the "awakener" ... anatomically it rules the nervous system ... Uranus also rules inventions, originality, science, electricity, magic, the occult, light, astrology, psychology, x-rays, and airplanes ... it is futuristic, humanitarian, intellectual, eccentric, egotistical, and utopian ... Uranus governs creative will, sudden change, revolution and dictators, individualism, rebellions and autonomy ... its actions can be sudden, unexpected and often violent ... it likes to break tradition ... it is also said to be associated with natural disasters !!!




There is potential for any or a combination of all of the previous areas mentioned to have 11th house and/or Uranus related issues to arise in your life or someone you know while Mars retrogrades in Aquarius !!! ... and keep in mind that during this period Mars will be in a "relationship" with Uranus which can yield the potential for things to be quite disruptive and explosive ... or will the effect be lessened with Mars being in retrograde motion ???




Mars will reenter the sign of Capricorn on August 12th where it will spend the final 16 days of its retrograde period ... Capricorn is the natural ruling sign on the 10th house of the natural horoscope ... this is considered to be a house of substance ... its keyword is honor ... this house relates to ones profession, reputation, and standing in the community ... it shows ones ego, status, fame, ambition, business and social activities, ones employer, and the government or any other authority over you ... it also represents ones achievements, how the world sees and evaluates you as well as the influence you exert in your own circle ... the 10th house also represents the church as an organization and the opposite parent from the one represented by your 4th house or the parent you may have grown up with in a situation where there was only a single parent !!!




Saturn is the planet which rules the sign of Capricorn ... it is the planet which represents the urge for security and safety and often referred to as the "teacher" ... anatomically it rules the skin, the skeletal system - which includes the teeth, the knees, left ear and auditory organs ... Saturn rules form, discipline, responsibility, organization, ambition, capacity for a career, limitations and delays ... it governs theories and scientific laws, older persons, depth, patience, timing, tradition, conventionality orthodoxy, and productive use of time ...it represents the principles of truth, , contraction, solidification of wisdom and of aging ...its actions are slow and lasting !!!




Once the emphasis of the Mars retrograde shifts, there is the potential for any or a combination of all of the Capricorn/ 10th house issues to arise in your life or someone you know ... but don't rule out issues from the initial period of this retrograde of Mars ... and once Mars returns to Capricorn, it will be considered to be in a "relationship" with Saturn which is very different from that of Uranus as Mars/Saturn can often produce a stop/start energy ... but will Mars drive being in retrograde motion dilute some of the stop/start energy ???




Finally, 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 ... its keyword is identity ... the 1st 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 !!!




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 ... all of these areas are vulnerable to issues during the entire retrograde period as it is Mars which is in retrograde !!! ... In regards to health, the areas subject to issues for the entire retrograde are the external reproductive organs, head and face !!!




This Mars retrograde period could end up being even more intense and challenging once Mercury begins its next retrograde period, entirely in the sign of Leo, on July 25th/26th which lasts until August 18th/19th and therefore will be completely embedded within this Mars retrograde !!!




Since Mars was last retrograde from April 17th through June 26th, 2016, the question now becomes what actions were possibly begun that now must be readdressed, readjusted, reworked, or simply have run their course, ran out of "steam" and come to a necessary ending needing to be released, or concluded but not by our choice, in order to promote further personal and spiritual growth ??? ... and undoubtedly you may be readdressing some of these issues, including the issues encountered from May 11th up until the retrograde period as Mars backs over those degrees and then moves over them  again once Mars stations direct, up until it exits its retrograde zone on October 8th !!!





For those of you born between June 27th and August 26th, you will get this Mars retrograde energy somewhere in your astrological birthday chart - known as a solar return - for the whole year ahead ... however, those born on June 26th and August 27th may or may not get this retrograde energy depending on the time of your solar return for the current year ... therefore all Leo born and some Cancer and some Virgo born will definitely get the Mars retrograde energy in their solar return chart this year !!! ... below is what noted astrologer Mary Fortier Shea has to say about having Mars retrograde in the birthday chart - also known as the Solar Return:

"When Mars is retrograde in the solar return chart, the individual must work with the process of self-motivation. This is a good time to work on a long-term project, especially one involving the need to repeatedly push yourself  toward achievement. You are the motivating force. No one else can get you to move. It is very unlikely that you will be motivated by others since personal goals will seem more important than the conflicting goals of others. If you cannot motivate yourself or direct your energy in a useful manner, you will feel listless and tired. This is an extremely useful retro gradation for those who are goal-oriented; unfortunately, it can be a very counterproductive placement for those who are not.




The way you choose to handle anger is symbolized by Mars retrograde. Usually, there is a desire to avoid confrontation and conflict. You may be unable or unwilling to express anger outwardly. Furthermore, you might find it difficult to be openly aggressive or even assertive given the situations you are involved with. If this is so, you could resort to passive-aggressive behavior or manipulation if it seems impossible to deal with a present situation on a rational level. For example, if you are taking care of a cantankerous and senile relative, confrontation and rational discussion will not improve your relationship, but refusing to engage in conflicts and stressing the humor of the situation may. You can manipulate your way around the old coot with love and understanding in your heart. Having Mars retrograde in a solar return chart signals the need to reassess the appropriateness of anger and conflict in certain situations where it may actually be totally useless. It is not the answer to all situations and you can learn to use other tactics.




If you are involved in difficult circumstances, you may not defend yourself against the criticism of others. And  in fact, you could see yourself as responsible to some extent for the situations you are involved in. This is a time when you are more apt to get in touch with the role you, yourself, play in creating stress. You could blame yourself and be very self-critical of your own behavior. Positively, we can look upon this year as a time when you are more apt to see self-defeating situations and take corrective action. It is fairly common to realize the existence of at least one self-defeating situation or personality pattern during the year.




Mars retrograde, at its worst manifestation, can have a self-destructive interpretation. It is possible that you will place yourself (through your own doing) in a situation that causes you difficulty or pain. You will have the ability to withdraw from the situation, but might choose to remain throughout the solar return year. This may sound like a horrible manifestation, but it is not necessarily so ... The house placement of Mars will relate to the self-defeating or self-destructive attitudes and may symbolize this negative behavior in relationships, career practises, financial responsibility, etc. If one concentrates on the issues, solutions can be found and there will be no need to remain in compromising situations."




ARIES BORN - this is your period to slow down and in some cases stop - WHICH YOU DO NOT LIKE TO DO AT ALL !!! - in order to review and rethink what has and what is going on in your life especially in regards to what has transpired in your life since June 29th, 2016 when Mars, being your ruling planet, last stationed back into direct motion ... Even though Aries born individuals in addition to Aquarius and Capricorn  born - since Mars is retrograding through your birth signs - may be more sensitive to this reversal of energy, we will all experience it or surely witness 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 remains retrograde until August 27th ... this Mars retrograde period could end up being even more intense and challenging once Mercury begins its next retrograde period, entirely in the sign of Leo, on July 25th/26th which lasts until August 18th/19th and therefore will be completely embedded within this Mars retrograde !!! ... in addition, many may feel along the way that there is something making them restless, edgy and irritable and they are simply not able to pin down the cause - this is usually the case when Mars transits ones natal 12th house !!!




As it is said that in a Venus retrograde we often become somewhat less sociable and frequently forget our manners, during a Mars retrograde we may become somewhat less "warlike" and our energy can repeatedly hit a lull ... over the course of this 63 day period as energy rises and seems to fall just as quickly, we may become all too personally and frequently associated with that famous saying - MY GET UP AND GO GOT UP AND WENT !!!

THE "LOVE" OF ANALYSIS, PRECISION AND ORGANIZATION !!!

VENUS began its transit through the picky, detailed oriented sign of Virgo on Monday, July 9th, at 10:32 PM EDT ... Venus was last in Virgo from September 19th through October 14th, 2017 ... Venus in Virgo is considered to be in its "fall" and therefore its effectiveness can be greatly challenged ... being in its "fall", Venus is opposite the sign it is exalted in which is Pisces ... it does not work all that efficiently because this position makes it difficult to express its true nature ... a planet in "fall" is like having to stay in someone else's home where you do not really feel all that comfortable !!!



Venus in Virgo, which produces a highly discerning type of love, enjoys competence, precision, and doing things the way they should be done - CORRECTLY !!! ... it is exacting, discriminating and/or critical when relating to other people ... affection is usually expressed in a manner of doing things for people or serving them in some way ... it is also expressed modestly and/or timidly ... pleasure is achieved by functioning efficiently and being helpful especially in repairing things, situations or people !!!



Venus in Virgo enjoys analysis, precision and organizing details ... logic and common sense makes this Venus very comfortable ... the handling of money and possessions is usually practical and thrifty ... there is a desire for common sense and for a willingness to work in love relationships ... this Venus can be more sincerely affectionate than any other sign, can manifest a very strong business sense, and knows exactly what is does and does not want !!! ... it often has a tendency to get so involved in details it becomes overly critical and demanding !!!



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


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


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



Venus is the natural ruling planet of Libra and Taurus, and as such, love, partnerships/relationships, personal values and how we earn and spend our money, in addition to our dedication to our daily work and service, health and nutritional habits as well as some family issues will be thoroughly examined under the cosmic microscope while Venus is in the precision, detail oriented sign of Virgo which is naturally ruled by Mercury which will begin its next retrograde journey during this transit !!!



Venus is currently the only planet in transit through the sign of Virgo ... Venus remains in Virgo until August 6th ... and just a heads up, this is the last complete sign transit Venus takes - even though it will actually complete its initial transit through Libra - before it begins its next retrograde journey which occurs from October 5th through November 16th going from 10 degrees 50 minutes Scorpio back to 25 degrees 14 minutes Libra ... Look out all you love birds !!! 

Virgo born, don't forget the "love light" is now shining on YOU - play it right and you might just get what you want if you don't over analyze and obsess over it too much !!! ... for all of us it would be very wise not to let the object of our affections become the "target" of our affections while we are all being encouraged by the Universe to be out there "looking for the perfect AHHHHHH" !!! 

"ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE ... " !!!

"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 Friday, June 29th, at 1:17 AM 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 5th through September 19th, 2017 due to a retrograde period which will be the case again this time around !!!

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 could also be 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 under this energy !!!

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 insecurity here can lead to one coming on too strong or even cause 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 and the Sun will join the party in a few weeks !!! ... 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 !!!

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 - Mercury will not conclude its complete transit through Leo until ... WAIT FOR IT ... September 5th and you know why !!! ...  Mercury will get no further than 23 degrees Leo when it begins its second retrograde journey for 2018 on July 25th/26th depending on which time zone in which you live ... this next retrograde journey will be completely in the sign of Leo going from 23 degrees 27 minutes Leo back to 11 degrees 32 minutes Leo where it will conclude its retrograde journey on August 18th/19th once again depending on which time zone in which you live... Mercury enters its next shadow point, the degree where it will conclude the upcoming retrograde, on July 7th when it reaches 11 degrees 32 minutes Leo ... and just to add more mayhem to the potential madness that could ensue, this second Mercury retrograde period will be completely embedded in the current Mars retrograde which doesn't end until August 27th - gotta love that cosmic sense of humor now don't you ??? 

While Mercury is in Leo, going forward and then backwards and then forward again, 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 will it ???