WHEN I "THINK" OF HOME !!!

MERCURY began its transit through the domestic, sympathetic sign of Cancer today, May 28th, at 2:09 PM  EDT ... our thought and communicative processes now turn from a highly intellectual mode towards a more emotional mode of operation as the ruler of Cancer is the Moon which, among other things, rules the emotions ... our thinking and communicating often ends up resulting from how we FEEL !!! ... Mercury was last in Cancer from June 4th through August 11th, 2019, a longer than normal transit due to a retrograde period and that will be the case again this year !!!



Mercury in Cancer has a way of subconsciously picking up signals from everyone else .. the mind becomes as much a receiver as a transmitter under this energy ... here we have a highly intuitive mode of thinking and communicating ... this placement also usually bestows a very good memory along with strong poetic power ... Mercury in Cancer thinks with the heart and often interprets the meaning of others communications through how it "feels" !!!



Mercury in Cancer does not always say everything it is feeling as it tries to avoid hurting itself and others as well with careless ill-spoken comments ... one is very protective of their thoughts ... it likes to nurture ideas and encourage growth before sharing ... one uses emotions as well as logic and often may end up letting sensitivities sway ones decisions ... subconscious fears, habits, or prejudices could inhibit ones objectivity or openness to the new !!!



There is usually an above-average psychic ability ... one learns through absorbing their experiences and making emotional connections ... interest here may include family, the home, the land, the past, the public or security ... Oh yes, we most definitely may find ourselves thinking about food A LOT, and hopefully that thinking doesn't become a nasty habit of overeating causing us to expand in ways we would rather NOT !!!

Mercury in Cancer teaches us the importance of about thinking through nurturing ... it is a caring mind ... one has to be careful not to take everything so personally here ... it is important to remember to look at the facts in addition to the opinions of others ... it is also important to remember and be aware that each one of us is our own source of light and warmth ... most importantly it is necessary to make a collection of good memories that will give rise to clear and positive thinking ... the energy of Mercury in Cancer can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: mentally tenacious, good memory, reliable, sensitive mind, poetic, intuitive, agreeable, absorbs information, attuned to public opinion, profound, polite, softly-spoken, discreet, diplomatic, arouses sympathies, emotionally appealing, persuasive speaker

NEGATIVE: mentally habit-ridden, distracted, inflexible, overly impressionable, impractical, irrational, yes-person, too open, taking things too personally, depressive, self-conscious, unclear, incomprehensible, diffuse,  prejudiced, untruthful



Mercury is currently the only planet transiting through the sign of Cancer ... Mercury will remain in Cancer until ... WAIT FOR IT ... August 4th and you know why ... Mercury will take its second retrograde journey for 2020 from June 17th/18th through July 12th going from 14 DEGREES 46 MINUTES CANCER back to 5 DEGREES 30 MINUTES CANCER ... it will be retrograde for the last seven days of the current Venus retrograde which is occurring in Gemini, a sign ruled by Mercury !!!



Mercury enters its next shadow point on June 1st/2nd when it reaches 5 DEGREES 30 MINUTES CANCER which is the point where it will conclude its second retrograde journey for 2020 on July 12th ... so the entire month of June we will have either Venus retrograde or moving to exit its retrograde zone and/or Mercury entering its shadow point or retrograde ... as these both are considered personal planets it could make for a rather bumpy month given other things currently going on !!!

While Mercury is transiting through the sign of Cancer, one should realize that the natural ability to influence others is worthy of only our highest motives ... tuning in to ones finer feelings and expressing them is ultimately more rewarding ... and finally, try to focus on what you are after, who you are with and why ... and then stick with that !!! ... and by all means - enjoy the mental trips down memory lane as they will surely "light the corners of your mind" !!!

JUST ENJOY BEING A KID AGAIN !!!

The SUN began it's yearly gallop through the youthful oriented, perceptive, versatile sign of Gemini last Wednesday, May 20th, at 9:49 AM EDT ... this is the final astrological sign of the Spring season in the Northern hemisphere and the Fall season in the Southern hemisphere ... Gemini energy is all about acquiring knowledge, communicating in a variety of ways, and constantly being on the MOVE ... so ... get ready ... get set ... GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO - but just how far and how fast will be greatly governed this time around by the current pandemic crisis !!!



In Gemini, the Sun encourages us to shine fluently - one may gain or seek recognition for their verbal skills and their ability to be highly creative through perceptiveness and the ability to compare, contrast, and find connections between ideas ... there is a need to shine by being versatile - here is a natural drive towards a wide ranging curiosity which could also get you into trouble or end up causing you to be too scattered ... a wide variety of talents, social contacts and hobbies will assist one in their self-expression ... there is also a need to shine for ones agility and flexibility - one could achieve recognition through their dexterity, adaptability or enhanced eye-hand coordination ... and there is a need to seek recognition for ones mental brilliance - one wants to feel proud of their intelligence, rationality and logic ... there is a tendency here to be ego-vulnerable regarding ones mental and communication skills ... pride and shame issues are tied to the mind in this sign ... and ultimately one needs to express themselves verbally and to achieve positive recognition for their intellect !!!

Gemini is a masculine/air/mutable(flexible) sign ... its symbol is the Twins - associated with duality, humanism, versatility and communication ... the picture is that of two figures standing side by side with a line over the top and the bottom - also known as the glyph for the Roman numeral 2 ... symbolically, these two upright lines bounded on the top and the bottom represent wisdom, learning, and the power of the mind to synthesize information ... Gemini's key phrase is "I THINK" and its keyword is "VERSATILITY" ... Anatomically it rules the hands, arms, shoulders and lungs thus making this energy prone to strains and accidents with the arms and hands as well as being prone to bronchitis and respiratory ailments ... Gemini is the sign opposite to Sagittarius in the zodiac !!!

As you are certainly aware of by now, Mercury is the ruling planet of Gemini in addition to the sign of Virgo ... Mercury - the ancient messenger of the Gods ... in astrology it rules travel and communication with its main emphasis being quick cleverness and a nervous temperament ... but it also bestows somewhat of a fickle nature that tends to arouse unexpected anger in others sometimes the depth of which Gemini energy misjudges ... its keyword is "REASONING ABILITY" ... it therefore rules reason, mental and cerebral capacity, ability to communicate, intellect, awareness, dexterity, rationalization, transmission, words, opinion, and sensory perceptions ... its action is quick, uncertain, and volatile ... it deals with travel - especially short trips, brothers and sisters, children, clerking, speaking, writing, bookkeeping, secretaries, neighborhood activities, letters and mailings, means of transportation, trade, and techniques ... in your natal chart the place where you find Mercury shows how and where you communicate the best ... anatomically, Mercury rules the  nervous system, brain, sight, hands and arms !!!

Gemini is the natural ruler of the 3rd house of the horoscope ... this is the house of side-by-side relationships whose keyword is "AWARENESS" ... the 3rd house shows the local environment you live in, your brothers and sisters, and all forms of communication - speaking, writing, and singing ... it indicates all means of transportation including short trips ... it shows the adaptability of ones mind to learning and to new ideas, the ability to relate to ones environment, and ones taken-for-granted skills ... this house shows the conscious and objective portion of ones mind as well as ones primary schooling !!!



The Sun in Gemini teaches us all about learning to live through being able to COMMUNICATE !!!  ... here we have the contact maker ... one who is forever young ... Gemini is famous for its duality and sometimes contrary nature ... word and mind play is an endless source of amusement here ... versatility rules - everything is equally interesting to Gemini therefore making it most likely one of the least prejudiced of the 12 signs of the Zodiac ... Gemini has an extremely lively imagination making it also one of the most artistically creative signs as well ... ironically one can lack the imagination to see that in using ones imagination it draws one into a closer intimacy with life itself, but getting deeply involved is the Twins weakest ability ... ultimately one must realize that the answer to the eternal Gemini questioning lies within the imagination and not the brain!!!

The energy of the Sun in Gemini can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: amusing, perceptive, witty, eloquent, swift, ingenious, quick on the uptake, mobile, versatile, flexible, adaptable, imaginative, non-dogmatic, sees both sides, light touch, objective, clever mind, informative, resourceful

NEGATIVE: cheap, glib, sarcastic, chatterbox, fly, devious, shifty, evasive, dabbler, two-faced, fickle, "chases rainbows", non-committal, indecisive, superficial, aloof, unable to see the whole picture, bluffer, involved in excessive gossip



HAPPY SOLAR RETURN GEMINI BORN !!! - part of your reason for being here is certainly to not only learn about a lot of different information yourself, but to educate the rest of us as well, keep us on our toes and help us understand that KNOWLEDGE IS POWER when used positively !!!

The Sun is currently transiting through Gemini with Mercury and Venus which is currently in progress of taking it's retrograde journey for 2020 !!! ... the Sun remains in the sign of Gemini until June 20th ... to that end, respect your own dreams and avoid cutting corners in your pursuit of them ... more importantly, pay attention to the "value" of what you say !!!

Gemini is truly a very youthful oriented energy, so for the next few weeks just enjoy "being a kid again" and think about what it must be like to be "FOREVER YOUNG" ... and with all this energy driving us to pursue so much information from so many places, we may end up feeling as though we are indeed moving at the speed of light !!!

ARE YOUR STRUCTURES AND FOUNDATIONS IN LIFE STRONG AND SECURE ???

SATURN - the planet representing the urge for security and safety, that is also known as the taskmaster teaching us the lessons we must learn in life, shows us what we are unsure of or truly fear, and forces us to find the means to acquire discipline, effort and sense of order so that we may overcome limitations and obstacles, and most importantly known as Father Time - began its RETROGRADE journey for 2020 on Monday, May 11th, at 12:09 AM EDT ... this Saturn retrograde period goes from 1 DEGREE 57 MINUTES AQUARIUS back to 25 DEGREES 20 MINUTES CAPRICORN ... if you've had a natal chart done, then you know in what area or areas of your life, depending on whether or not this retrograde period will take place in one or two houses in your natal chart, Saturn has, and will continue for a while longer, be making you focus your attention on to improve and make sure your foundations are more secure and solid !!!



The main objective of a transiting Saturn retrograde is RESTRUCTURING, if necessary, our foundations to make sure they are strong and solid ... since Saturn is the planet which represents systems and organizations,  during its retrograde period the time has come to re-examine these areas and find ways to improve them and elevate them to a higher level of efficiency ... it  is now time for every one of us to restructure systems, programs,  organizations, and even rules in order to make them function more productively  ... processes and policies will all benefit from re-examination during this period even though it may not always be easy but very challenging as well as frustrating !!!



Saturn is currently transiting through the sign of Aquarius which it began back on March 21st ... Saturn in Aquarius is all about combining traditional values with new age related insights and ideas ... its a placement that yields the potential for a well organized mental concentration ... here the concern for impartial truth is highly pursued ... it also has the potential to give a sense of justice and and responsibility in relationships ... it gives a heightened ability to visualize form and structure and can yield great mathematical ability ... Saturn got no further than 1 degree 57 minutes Aquarius before it began its retrograde journey for 2020 !!!



On July 1st, Saturn returns to the sign of Capricorn for some last minute business where once, having assumed direct motion on September 28th/29th, it will move forward to complete its full transit through Capricorn ... Saturn in Capricorn is persistent, calculating, very careful, highly practical and very good at organization with its razor sharp focus ... but it can also yield a rather cold and reserved air at times ... it is often a marker of those born with this placement who had to struggle to gain personal security early in life ... as a result, one is willing and understands the necessity to work hard to achieve in life and fully expects others to do so as well ... this placement of Saturn can lead one to the highest levels of personal evolution and understanding, or it can cause one to lean towards being overly materialistic and selfish ... one definitely needs to learn to develop a sense of humor as this energy can be so driving and demanding !!!


My fellow Capricorns, this begins our yearly period of review and self introspection as this is our ruling planet ... what has been going on in your life since Saturn stationed back into direct motion back on September 18th, 2019 ???  ... what have you been working on and possibly rebuilding and restructuring that now needs some re-examination and reevaluation to determine whether or not you are on the right track to produce the desired results you are working towards ??? ... or what did you start working on during the last Saturn retrograde period - April 29th through September 18th, 2019 - that now MUST be addressed and either improved upon or simply let go of in order to facilitate personal and spiritual growth ??? ... this applies to everyone as well ... it would also be fair to say that everyone is "revisiting" and possibly having to rework actions occurring from February up until May 11th when Saturn stationed retrograde as these are the degrees involved in this retrograde period of Saturn !!!



Usually people are not very happy when Saturn comes into the picture to teach us and make us learn life lessons that often are very daunting and difficult, but we native Capricorns understand how hard Saturn's "weight" which can bear down on us ... so its retrograde journey each time becomes an opportunity for everyone else to feel and hopefully come to understand what we have to live with all of our life ... challenging - you bet !!! ... and no one would ever say it is an easy task, but the potential for rewards are unlimited if you open your eyes, ears and hearts, allow the universe to lead the way and be willing to go the distance ... after all, if you don't learn the first time, you can make sure the Universe will bring the lessons back around again, and the next time they may end up being even more difficult to deal with in your life !!!

Saturn retrogrades roughly every 12 1/2 months for a period of about 4 1/2 months ... Saturn remains retrograde until September 28th/29th depending on which time zone in which you live ... indeed Saturn teaches every one of us different but difficult lessons in life ... but if you keep your feet firmly planted and try to stay positive and 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 better for the lessons you have taken seriously and made great personal effort to learn from ... you will definitely be better equipped to deal with life and its many challenges as well as being able to determine if you are truly standing on solid ground or teetering on faulty foundations that will eventually collapse beneath you creating who knows what kind of havoc in your life !!!

GETTING WHAT WE WANT THROUGH SUBTLE OR INDIRECT MEANS !!!

Mars, the planet of action, aggression and initiative began its transit through the emotional, compassionate sign of Pisces on Wednesday, May 13th, at 12:17 AM EDT ... Mars was last in Pisces from November 15th through December 31st, 2018 ... Mars, being a planet with a "fiery" reputation, loses some of its force moving through a water sign such as Pisces ... nevertheless, it has drive and ambition but on different levels and can still pack quite a punch !!!

Mars in Pisces is naturally sensitive, compassionate, and vulnerable ... it may express its energy through the arts which most likely would include some form of beauty in action such as dancing or playing a musical instrument ... alternately, it can be drawn towards healing or helping activities, fighting for causes, or, being drawn to the darker side, escaping reality especially through drugs and alcohol ... here one is trying to balance self-assertion and self-sacrifice and/or action and intuition .. one may assert oneself with kindness, idealism, or empathy, but there also comes the risk of inflating ones own will as ones supreme value ... however, having faith in a Higher Power and a sense of the oneness of life, the will and initiative would be softened by compassion !!!

Physical energy and sexual drive could be influenced by ones dreams, moods and emotions ... one might feel vulnerable or unclear about who they are thus making them susceptible to the feelings and emotions of those they are around ... intuition, inspiration, a spiritual urge, or a need to save, rescue or heal are likely to be highly motivating factors ... it is often said in Astrology that Mars in Pisces can be the marking of the "spiritual warrior" ... and with Neptune currently transiting through Pisces, the sign it naturally rules, the potential is greatly increased !!!

In addition, the gifts of imagination, sensitivity, and intuition are often manifested in the creative fields, thus this can also be the marking in a natal chart for actors or those in the entertainment industry ... Mars in this sign seeks involvement whether it be with a partner, an idea or a passion ... it frequently shoulders others' responsibilities without complaint ... Mars in Pisces can be self-sacrificing or it can greatly inspire others in some way ... the down side to this very subtle energy would be the danger of becoming unfocused and restless and being instilled with a great drive for an escape from reality which unfortunately can produce an abusive use of drugs and alcohol !!!

Mars in Pisces teaches us that we get through accepting ... it's the soft touch ... what is desired is gotten through subtle or indirect means ... having strong emotional undercurrents influencing ones actions, there is a need to discover what they are and whether or not they are justified to avoid being tugged this way and that way ... there is an uncanny ability with this energy to drift and immerse oneself into the feelings of others ... and unless one can tune into this subtle energy and try to refine ones coarser and more material desires, it is likely that in the end one will be seduced by their own seductiveness ... personal moods are infectious but one can also be easily "infected" themselves ... a lot here depends on one being aware of exactly what they want and not giving in to vagueness ... what is so energizing about Mars in Pisces is something that one possesses is more emotional than physical, of the Soul rather than of the body !!! ... the expressive energy of Mars in Pisces can be manifested in the following ways:

POSITIVE: fascinating, charismatic, subtle, diffuse, charitable, congenial, self-sacrificing, tender, inspiring, imaginative, generous, psychic, stealthy, sensuous, healing, intuitive, compassionate, diplomatic, humorous, fluid

NEGATIVE: neurotic, volatile, evasive, unfocused, easily given to seduction, malleable, self-deluding, weak/lazy, gushing,  fanciful, indiscriminate, temperamental, treacherous, confusing, invasive, resentful, frustrating, absurd, inconsistent, scandalous, impotent/frigid




Pisces born individuals, this is your period of roughly six and a half weeks of receiving that extra boost of energy to accomplish whatever you set your mind on to get done - the cosmic joke here is that Venus will be retrograde for all but the last two and a half days of this transit, and the upcoming Mercury retrograde will occur completely in this transit ... for everyone it is a good time to identify that part of ourselves to which others are drawn and to which we, too, must follow ... in other words - SURRENDER !!!

Aries born since your planetary ruler has entered into a new sign, you are now being required to learn new lessons this time on a more spiritual level if the energy is used positively ... also don't be surprised if some of you seem to lose your natural born "get up and go" energy while Mars transits through the watery sign of Pisces ... in fact many of us may find that is the case especially with the current Venus retrograde added into the mix !!!

Mars once again joins Neptune in the sign of Pisces thus increasing the potential that a lot of us may be drawn towards the pursuit of a highly focused spiritual "vision quest" - or will some fall to the depths of escapism, deception and/or addiction ???

Mars remains in the Pisces until June 27th ... this is the last full sign transit of Mars before it takes its retrograde journey for 2020 which begins on September 9th ... it will almost complete its transit through Aries but stop short at 28 degrees 9 minutes Aries where it begins its retrograde journey in which it will go back to 15 degrees 14 minutes Aries ... the Mars retrograde period will occur from September 9th through November 13th and will have the third and final Mercury retrograde for 2020 completely embedded in it from October 13th through November 3rd ... Mars will enter its shadow point on July 25th when it reaches 15 degrees 14 minutes Aries ... hopefully some of you read my blog earlier this year about the Personal Planet Retrograde Flip Flop, as we are now right in the thick of it, to understand what was going to be happening this year with the personal - Mercury, Venus, Mars - planets and their shifts in direction !!!


For now, all you "spiritual warriors", new or well seasoned, spread your compassion, healing and knowledge as far as your intuition and imagination leads you !!!

"THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE NEVER DID RUN SMOOTH" !!!

VENUS - the planet which rules social urge, sense of values, love and affection, and financial matters began its RETROGRADE journey for 2020 today, May 13th, at 2:45 AM EDT ... during a transiting Venus retrograde, old lovers, potential past romantic interests or even friends may resurface - some hoping to reconnect while others are only in and out for "pass and review" so to speak ... frequently one will come to realize why the relationship did not work out to begin with or why it is time to let go and move on - some will not understand this and run the danger of repeating over and over what may have been a very challenging time in their lives ... relationship issues, both personal and professional/ public and private, come to the forefront thus causing all types of contracts and partnerships to be reconsidered especially if they have become difficult or challenging ... this is also a time when our personal values are usually reconsidered - both material and spiritual - to see if they still make sense or need adjusting somewhere !!! ... This Venus retrograde will take place from 21 DEGREES 50 MINUTES GEMINI back to 5 DEGREES 20 MINUTES GEMINI !!!

One of the main purposes of a transiting Venus retrograde is to reconsider relationship and acquisition needs as these change over time for all of us ... it becomes very important during this time to get in touch with ones present values, wants and needs, and to become clear about exactly what you want to attract and why ... is what you personally value inwardly being projected outwardly positively or is change needed on some level ??? ... and needless to say issues surrounding money and finances can become big problems during a Venus retrograde !!! ... As Venus, anatomically speaking, rules the throat, chin, cheeks and sense of taste, these areas of the body could encounter some kind of potential problem ... in addition there is the potential for problems in the areas of the nervous system, brain, sight, hands and arms which are all ruled by Mercury ... all of the above mentioned could potentially be areas where you end up having to spend money you hadn't counted on to correct !!!

Venus spends the least amount of time in retrograde motion out of all of the planets ... within its 584-day cycle, Venus stations retrograde roughly every 18 months for a period of about 6 weeks ... it was last retrograde from October 5th through November 16th, 2018 - what was going on in your life during that period that may have had to do with anything mentioned in this blog specific to a Venus retrograde that has now resurfaced for review and rethinking or simply falls apart or must be released ??? ... there is a good chance that any partnership/relationship, especially of the romantic variety, begun during that last retrograde period has now come to a point where it is time to let go and move on !!! ... in fact, ever since Venus entered its shadow point back on April 9th, issues could have begun to arise foreshadowing what was to come during this retrograde period ... especially issues that may have plagued a particular relationship on and off since Venus stationed back in direct motion on November 16th, 2018 or perhaps even issues that have surfaced in partnerships/relationships that have been ignored even if the relationship was not begun during that particular Venus retrograde period !!!

Taurus and Libra born individuals, this is your planetary ruler so you are beginning your period of personal "down time", so to speak, to review and rethink what has transpired in your life since November 16th, 2018 ... but in addition to you, we all will be subjected to a period of reflection and review in our personal actions in regards to our social urges, sense of values, love and affection, and monetary affairs !!!

Some things to remember during a Venus retrograde - it is NOT a good time to purchase "luxury " items if you can wait because when Venus stations back into direct motion, you might well find yourself thinking "WHY did I spend THAT MUCH on something I really didn't want or need" or you may simply feel you did not get the anticipated value for what you spent your hard earned money to purchase ... often in a Venus retrograde money can become low and scarce and we can end up having to spend money we hadn't counted on spending, but in some cases one may end up getting money "coming back" to them from one source or another !!! ... it also is not a good time to begin a new job if you can wait because you may never get the money you expected out of the job, you may feel like you are not being paid enough for the value of your service, or the job simply might not pan out down the road for some reason ... that being said, unfortunately as a Venus retrograde can indicate the "tightening of the purse strings" by individuals as well as companies, salaries could be cut back or the job may be terminated for one reason or another ... and spending money on any kind of beauty enhancement procedure is definitely ill-advised as it most likely will not turn out the way you expected and you may find you have to go back and spend more money to correct the faulty procedure !!!

WEDDINGS ARE MOST CERTAINLY A HUGE NO-NO as this is the planet which rules romance, love and affection - do you really want that energy going backwards on the day you say "I DO"??? ... if you were to take the day of the actual wedding, and count forward to the end of the retrograde period, then that total number of days would be the actual number of YEARS it would be before the energy turned back into direct motion by progression in the event chart ... most likely there would constantly be issues regarding either love, emotions and/or money and that can make things very difficult !!! ... if you are getting married, you should have someone mark the time you are officially pronounced married and then have an event chart run, by a reputable astrologer, for that time and the place to see in which house Venus retrograde falls, and you might get a very good idea where in life issues concerning love, money and personal values may surface during the marriage ... I'm not saying don't get married because I know weddings take time and preparation, just realize you may be adding an unnecessary challenge to the already challenging task it takes to navigate through the waters of an intimate personal relationship united through marriage ... to this end, I would also state the hopefully obvious - a Venus retrograde is definitely NOT the time to begin a new romantic relationship !!! ... but keep in mind if you were born with Venus retrograde in your natal chart, these choppy emotional waters might not be as difficult to navigate as it will be for others !!!

Speaking of relationships, you may find arguments and disagreements rearing their ugly heads and if you sever the ties in a Venus retrograde, when it turns direct you will probably be asking yourself why you cut that person out of your life ... on the other hand, relationships and partnerships that have been constantly challenging and have been overly stressful will most likely dissolve during a Venus retrograde period and it is usually best to let them go and move forward ... but this can also be a good time in certain cases where there is a chance to allow some healing to occur in a partnership or relationship that somehow managed to fall off track ... keep in mind that in a Venus retrograde people become a little less sociable and frequently forget their manners so it might be a good idea to "drop back and punt" and hold off passing judgment while the energy is moving backwards !!!

PLEASE TAKE NOTE - retrograde periods are not always harbingers of doom and gloom and full of negativity and disaster ... these periods have the greatest potential for each one of us to be able to slow down and review what is making our lives more challenging and take action to correct our course, so to speak, so there isn't so much difficulty in navigating through this thing we call "life" on a day to day basis !!!

As previously mentioned, this Venus retrograde occurs from 21 DEGREES 50 MINUTES GEMINI back to 5 DEGREES 20 MINUTES GEMINI ... if you've had a natal chart done, look to see in which house or houses theses degrees fall and you might get an idea as to where this energy may surface in your life !!!



Retrograde Venus in Gemini will obviously have a great impact in our lives as to how we communicate and interact within our personal/professional as well as public/private relationships ... especially as Gemini is ruled by Mercury which is all about communicating effectively and efficiently ... there could be many issues which occur where our words get twisted, misunderstood or not even "heard" correctly by others - sounds like a Mercury retrograde doesn't it ??? ... in a Venus retrograde, it is said we are "less of an actor in life and more of a reactor' ... we may be trying to figure out just how much we are loved or how much love is being denied to us ... hurts may tend to get more internalized than when Venus is in direct motion ... frequently a lot of insecurity may arise while Venus is retrograde ... and there may be a lot of those who experience a loneliness inwardly ... during this retrograde, a lot of people may be trying to find out what others truly think of them with the results not being favorable while the energy is going backwards ... our likes and dislikes may change in addition to our personal values as we may think they no longer truly reflect outwardly who we are inside ... relationships of all kinds may become confusing and hard to correctly understand ... ultimately we may find ourselves having difficulty expressing love and affection !!!



For those of you born between May 14th and June 23rd, you will definitely get the energy of Venus retrograde in your solar return chart, your birthday chart, for the year ahead ... those born on May 12th/13th and June 24th/25th may or may not get this backwards energy depending on the time and day your solar return occurs this year !!!

The following is what astrologer Mary Fortier Shea has to say about having Venus retrograde in your birthday chart for the whole year and it may be helpful in understanding what you may be dealing with :

"Venus retrograde indicates a time of comparison and contrast. Your increased ability to distinguish and value inner qualities separate from external situations signals an opportunity to compare and contrast the importance of each. Relationships, finances, and priorities should all be reassessed on the basis of the inner qualities they exhibit in comparison to the external pleasure or stress that they generate. Your focus on internal values will tend to overshadow your need for external manifestation; consequently, you will make adjustments in your pursuit of materialistic and external goals.

Relationships are always more important for the love you give and receive than the external trappings; however, this issue will become more evident during this year. You may be in love with a special person who treats you wonderfully, but refuses to consider marriage. If you were attracted to this person because of his or her inner qualities, it is important to appreciate your feelings for one another, and not get hung up on the legalization process. During this year you will tend to assess relationships you see or experience for the inner and outer qualities which they possess or lax. You can always find others who have the external trappings you desire without genuine caring. (Example: a verbally abusive marriage.)

External, artificial indicators of affection are meaningless. It is the inner and sometimes less apparent qualities that are important. Your attention to this issue will make the incongruity more obvious to you. Part of this discernment process can involve frustration with personal involvements which do not conform to your external expectations of what a relationship or partner should be. Love does not necessarily occur in neat little storybook packages, and frustration results from close attention to external storybook details which cannot truly satisfy internal needs. Outer limitations stress the importance of inner beauty. Because third parties may not easily see the qualities that you appreciate in your loved one, they may criticize your choice. Their criticism will encourage you to further define the inner beauty that attracts you. Those relationships which possess no redeeming inner qualities will seem void and unfulfilled. They can be discarded regardless of the external advantages they supply.

Values must be more closely attuned to the individuals aesthetic appreciation and therefore may be less consistent with societal preferences and standards. One can see unique beauty in what might appear ordinary to others. Your taste in material objects might depend on the emotional qualities associated with those objects. Price or status is unimportant.

Venus retrograde symbolizes an emphasis on the quality of life over the desire for financial gain. The money you earn should not be as important as the quality of your working environment and your satisfaction while on the job. Focusing on your inner need for contentment and fulfillment allows you to let go of a large salary, and search for an enjoyable employment position even though it may involve a pay cut. If you continue to work at a stressful job because of the pay, you may be very unhappy. Materialism will not bring you true happiness this year or any year. If you must remain in a stressful job, develop a strong belief in yourself and your abilities. Set goals that are rewarding and doable. Do not focus on your inability to perform at your best when conditions are at their worst. Some work environments are dysfunctional. Financially, this is generally a time to be conservative with funds. You cannot make good decisions about the quality of your life if you are more concerned with your monetary situation.

Social contacts and involvement in social activities are not emphasized while Venus is retrograde in the solar return. You need more time to focus inward and may withdraw from some or all social functions because you welcome the time alone. You might no longer enjoy these functions, or you might realize that certain social relationships are too difficult and unrewarding to maintain. For those individuals who require counseling, this can be a time of isolation. Withdrawal is common with Venus retrograde, but generally any time alone can be put to good use. You could want to be alone with one special person."



Even though we will all be impacted on some level of our lives by the Venus retrograde, the following signs may feel its impact even more personally - Taurus and Libra born as this is your ruling planet, and Gemini born which obviously is the other sign in which the retrograde occurs this time around !!! ... and as mentioned in previous posts, Mercury, the ruler of Gemini, will be retrograde during the last seven days of this Venus retrograde period - things could really get challenging if they hadn't already !!!

Venus remains retrograde until June 24th/25th depending on which time zone in which you live ... Venus will not be retrograde again until December 19th, 2021 through January 29th, 2022 occurring completely in the sign of Capricorn - information for those of you who like to prepare ahead and just might be planning a "significant occasion" during 2021/2022 !!!

With all the above mentioned being said, try your best to keep your temper in check and mind your manners as they may be trying to take a little vacation from you and everyone else as well ... hopefully one will be strong and open enough to receive the illumination and enlightenment this retrograde period will bring and be willing to take an honest and thorough inward look to see if change must be made to further personal and spiritual growth !!!

In the end perhaps if one is not careful enough or simply needs and must learn a valuable life lesson, one of the main results of a Venus retrograde may end up being best summed up by the famous words of the Bard, that would be Shakespeare for those of you in the dark, himself - "The course of true love never did run smooth" !!!

TALK, TALK, TALK ... SHUT UP !!!

MERCURY - began its transit through the curious and inquisitive sign of Gemini today, 5/11 at 5:58 PM EDT ... Once again it's time to let the Mental Olympics begin  !!! ... Mercury is very much at home here and functions well not only because this is an air sign, but it is also considered to be in dignity as this is one of the two signs Mercury naturally rules - the other sign being Virgo ... the "windmills of your mind" are definitely going to probably have been be spinning in overdrive potentially producing numerous scathingly brilliant ideas and plans you want to take action on ... Mercury was last in Gemini from May 21st through June 4th, 2019 - anything come to mind from that period regarding communications and even travel related issues ???

Mercury in Gemini gives a mind and tongue that can be very restless but very good at absorbing and learning information easily and then sharing it ... one can be quite articulate but sometimes have the tendency to talk or even gossip too much ... there is a skill for verbal expression and the ability to communicate quickly and cleverly ... often the ideas and manner of speech come off a bit superficial due to the urge to communicate perceived information immediately or because one is covering too much ground too fast ... this Mercury likes to talk ... and talk ... and talk ... and talk - thus yielding energy that has the potential to give many of us a brutal case of "diarrhea of the mouth" !!!



Mercury in Gemini is all about learning and communicating ... there is a high degree of curiosity about everything coupled with an eagerness to learn as much as possible - the world is ones school of life and therein exists a sumptuous, endless and delicious banquet to help quench an almost endless thirst for knowledge !!! ... the mind is likely to be logical, rational, and able to offer information on most any topic ... friendly interchanges are frequent along with the tendency to ask a lot of questions ... there is a high degree of nervous energy which can flow into speech, gestures, writing or manual dexterity in some fashion ... there is also the possibility of physical dexterity and flexibility !!!

Those born with Mercury in Gemini, as well as the rest of us that are subject to its transiting influence, can be very hard to pin down ... one often holds down more than one job or may work on a number of projects at one time ... quick, versatile and interested in the world at large, one tends to live mostly on a mental plane ... one MUST have facts and information - there is a basic need to KNOW ... this energy frequently makes one good at languages and math, gives one a love of reading, studying , traveling, and talking with new people about what you have learned or are thinking about ... there is also the potential for a lack of being able to stick-to-it as well as a lack of order in ones life ... usually this energy can produce one who knows a little bit about everything but not a lot about anything !!!

Mercury in Gemini teaches us to learn to think through communicating ... the mind is fed and nurtured through making contact with as many people and as many subjects as possible ... the intellect is wired up and ready to go ... it must constantly be stimulated otherwise nervous irritability or restlessness can occur ... the mind is efficient due to its ability to be quick and acquisitive, but the quality of the mind is only as good as what is being fed into it through social, business and educational pursuits - input becomes just as important as output !!! ... there is the capability of thinking on two or more levels at one time ... but one must guard against not having a definite direction to move in or else there can be the result of great mental confusion ... the energy of Mercury in Gemini can be expressed the following ways:

POSITIVE: articulate, curious, well-informed, widely read, quick-witted, lively mind, fast learner, dexterous, clever, humorous, sharp, fluent, inventive, versatile, original, handy, interesting, agreeable, unbiased, logical

NEGATIVE: chatterbox, nosy, gossip, superficial knowledge, highly strung, unruly mind, non persevering, fidgety, crafty, mischievous, flippant, makeshift, imitative, simplistic, trite, scatters energies, unfocused, misses the point

Mercury transiting through Gemini is an excellent time to open your mind to countless new ideas and information ... allow your mind to be like a sponge absorbing as much as it can realistically process ... meditation might even prove to be very useful during this transit to help process all of the information one may encounter both consciously and subconsciously !!!

Mercury now joins Venus, currently transiting through the sign of Gemini, until May 28th ... this is the last full sign transit before Mercury takes its second retrograde journey for 2020 which occurs from June 17th/18th through July 12th completely in the sign of Cancer ... it will enter its next shadow point on June 1st/2nd which it reaches 5 degrees 30 minutes Cancer ... this second Mercury retrograde will occur from 14 degrees 46 minutes Cancer back to 5 degrees 30 minutes Cancer ... and just a reminder, Venus will begin its retrograde journey for 2020 this Wednesday, May 13th at 2:49 AM EDT ... it will be completely in the sign of Gemini which is ruled by what ??? ... that's right, Mercury ... could be an interesting period as Mercury will be retrograde the last 7 days of the Venus retrograde !!!

The universe has been presenting us, both individually and collectively, with a lot of information and ideas to absorb, process and perhaps even implement somewhere into our lives ... and as much as we will want to constantly share and express our opinions, we may find ourselves wanting to say or finding someone else saying to us - SHUT UP !!!

Ultimately one of the greatest lessons to take away from Mercury in Gemini becomes the following: RESPECT THE VALUE OF YOUR OWN MIND - WATCH WHAT GOES INTO IT AND THEN BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT COMES OUT OF YOUR MOUTH !!!

THERE WILL BE CHANGE, TRANSFORMATION, HEALING AND REBIRTH !!!

PLUTO - whose cosmic energy has the potential to bring about empowerment, destiny, awareness of obsessions, penetration to divulge hidden causes, to produce profound levels of consciousness, can bring about death - not necessarily of the physical body - rebirth, regeneration or destruction, transformation, harming or healing, depth and insight, and  has the energy to enable us with self-renewal began its retrograde journey for 2020 on Saturday, April 25th, at 2:51 PM EDT ... Pluto was last retrograde from April 24th through October 2nd/3rd, 2019... this Pluto retrograde will occur from 24 DEGREES 59  MINUTES CAPRICORN back to 22 DEGREES 29 MINUTES CAPRICORN !!!



As Pluto has been slowing down, astrologically speaking, and vibrating sending out its intense energy of transformation and change - much of which we either hadn't expected or in some cases really wanted needed even if we really didn't want to admit it - the last several weeks ... Pluto has been in the 24 degree area of Capricorn since February 19th !!! ... it has probably produced a lot of intensity and restless tension in many peoples lives somewhere ... if you've had a natal chart done and know where 24 degrees 59 minutes Capricorn falls, then you might understand where in your life this  impending shift was preparing to take place ... check to see if you have any natal planets at 24 degrees or within one or two degrees of that in any sign - and particularly to one of the cusps of the Angles which are houses 1,4,7,and 10 - to determine whether or not Pluto is making a stressful or favorable aspect influencing your life !!!

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

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

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

Scorpio born individuals, this is your yearly period of review and reflection of what is transpiring in your life, and especially what has transpired in your life since October 2nd/3rd of 2019, that is urging you to release, allow transformation, regeneration and healing to take place in some area of your life - in other words, where must change take place due to a "cracked" or severely weakened foundation that will not support further personal and spiritual growth ??? ... and that goes for all of us as well !!!



If you have a Scorpio Moon or Ascendant you may be more sensitive to the retrograde period as well - Moon people through emotional issues and Ascendant people through issues of how you project yourself out into the world - Pluto transiting through your 1st house is always a period of profound and significant change in your life, and believe me I know from experience while it was transiting through my first house from 2000 through 2018 !!!  ... also if you know which house in your natal chart Pluto is currently transiting through, that "stage" where life plays out will produce some interesting and possibly challenging energy ... I have also read many times that when an outer planet - Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto - shifts directions, a slightly increased number of "souls" tend to leave the planet ... particularly those who are elderly ... something to watch for especially at the very beginning of the retrograde period and at the end - especially as we are all battling the COVID-19 virus !!!



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

Pluto remains retrograde until October 4th ... as the harbinger of powerful upheaval, transformation, destruction, "death", rebirth and deep healing, Pluto retrograde certainly has the potential to and will most likely shake things up ... and when it changes directions either direct or retrograde, it has the annoying habit of bringing things from deep within, especially secrets and wrongdoings, that we would prefer to be kept there ... and one thing is absolutely for sure where Pluto is involved whether in forward or retrograde motion - THERE WILL BE CHANGE, TRANSFORMATION, HEALING AND REBIRTH !!!