VENUS DIRECT - LET YOUR LOVE FLOW !!!

VENUS - the planet representing attraction, how you may give and/or receive love and affection, shows how each one of us perceives beauty and happiness, shows what we value and dictates our personal values, shows how you relate, how you create and appreciate harmony through social and artistic expression, shows how we earn and spend our money, and shows exactly what it is you like - completed its retrograde journey for 2021/2022 and stationed back into direct motion today, January 29th, at 3:46 AM EST !!!

As the weeks progress you may find little lights coming on in your mind as to decisions made in any of the above mentioned areas since the retrograde period began back on December 19th, 2021 ... there are an abundance of possibilities within this scope ... a lot of people may have realized that a significant partnership or relationship ended, and some of you may now suddenly find yourself having changed your mind or questioning why you made that decision, or the other person did, perhaps too hastily  ... it is also possible the person may now come back around and things might look entirely different with Venus moving forward again ... however, if it was time for the relationship to end, then it MUST be let go of for you to grow personally and spiritually in order to move forward ... for those of you who began significant new partnerships or relationships, ESPECIALLY of the romantic variety, you may discover that they will not have longevity as they were formed when the energy of love and relating was moving backwards ... time will tell ... marriages entered in to during these times often have an added sense of pressure - after all, Venus does naturally rule the 7th house of marriage and partnerships !!! 

Unfortunately, in this current economy, this could have been the period where quite a few of you actually had your salary reduced or lost your job and are now job hunting once again !!! ... and let's not forget this little item - how many of you ended up shelling out money on something you had no intention of or no idea that you would be spending money on ???



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



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

Some of the main issues while Venus was retrograde in Capricorn could have been reviewing and reflecting on your dedication and ambition for your career and/or your public image as Capricorn is the natural ruler of the 10th house which governs these issues ... is your leadership potential and love of work and/or attempts to improve your public image getting truly fulfilled, or has your passion for either one of these run its course and change is now needed to continue to move forward to promote personal and spiritual growth ??? ... perhaps your personal values underwent a review and you may have discovered something had changed ...also, it could be that either you felt you were no longer getting financial fulfillment for what you were doing or, in some extreme cases, your job was downsized, phased out completely or you simply quit !!! 

Venus in Capricorn is all about "dedication" and if the energy isn't there supporting you, you won't be happy or successful ... or in some cases you may have discovered you had become too concerned with material achievements as well as extremely emotionally detached and too cool in career or personal issues ... this was NOT the time to make a switch in the retrograde ... as always it was a time for review and reflection !!!

Issues could have arisen with art, culture, aesthetics, possessions, partners, beauty, charm, good taste, sweets and sugar, color, harmony, poetry, paintings, jewelry, singing, singing, drama, music, emotional contacts, moral character, marriage and unions of all kinds, sociability, disposition, luxuries, pleasure and appreciation - all these being ruled by Venus !!!

Issues could have arisen with theories, scientific law, older persons, depth, patience, timing, tradition, productive use of time, principles of truth, solidification of wisdom and of aging - these being ruled by Saturn which is the planetary ruler of Capricorn !!!

Issues could have arisen with financial affairs, possessions (except real estate), investments, earning power, any gain or loss through our own efforts, inner talents and resources, need for fulfillment, emotional feelings, sense of self-worth, sense of values, personal liberty as liberty is usually a matter of money, material debt - these issues being addressed in the 2nd house of the natural zodiac ruled by Venus !!!

Issues could have arisen with face-to-face relationships both business and marital partnerships, marriage, divorce, contracts, lawsuits, bargains, agreements, dealing with the public and their response, open enemies, cooperation or lack thereof with others, what you most lack in yourself, attitudes towards marriage, your mate, the kind and quality of your marriage, how many marriages you may have, your grandparents, any people who act as your agent or on your behalf - these issues being addressed in the 7th house of the natural zodiac which is also ruled by Venus !!!

Issues could have arisen with your profession, your reputation and your standing in the community, ego, status, fame, ambition, business and social activities, your employer, the government or any authority over you, achievements, how the world sees and evaluates you, the influence you exert in your own circle, and the church seen as an organization - all being issues addressed in the 10th house of the natural zodiac ruled by Capricorn along with its planetary ruler Saturn !!!

As for the potential of health issues, they could especially have arisen in the area of the throat, neck, cheeks, chin and sense of taste as Venus naturally rules the sign of Taurus; the kidneys as Venus also naturally rules the sign of Libra; the skin, the skeletal system (including the teeth), knees, left ear and auditory organs as Saturn is the natural ruler of Capricorn !!!

Everyone should try and think back to the period between May 13th through June 25th, 2020 - is there something you may have begun in regards to any of the above mentioned areas Venus rules that became an issue for you during this Venus retrograde period ??? ... it is very common for this to occur ... to that end, anything begun during this current Venus retrograde period that just ended may yield problems in the days, weeks or months ahead, or lie dormant until the next Venus retrograde period begins !!!

Taurus and Libra born individuals, your period for inward reflection and review - especially of what has transpired in your life since the end of the last Venus retrograde on June 25th, 2020 - is now over and once again you start moving forward to pursue new avenues of personal and spiritual growth and maturity ... there could have been some significant insight, if you were paying attention during the last 6 weeks, that enlightened you as to what, where or who was no longer serving you and was not truly reflecting who you are on the inside as well as preventing personal and spiritual growth ... and this also is a possibility for all of us !!!

Venus stationed direct at 11 degrees 4 minutes Capricorn ... although now direct, Venus remains in it's retrograde zone -  the beginning degree at which Venus actually entered its retrograde journey back on December 19th, which was 26 degrees 29 minutes Capricorn, and must come back to - until March 1st ... then Venus will be considered back up to full speed once again ... and don't forget if you had a birthday from December 20th through January 28th, you have got this Venus retrograde energy for the whole year ahead per your solar return this time around  ... however, those born on December 19th or January 29th may or may not have gotten this energy in their solar return depending on the time your solar return actually occurred this time around ... now you can understand why it is so important to have a natal chart run for reference as to how the cosmic energy personally affects you on your journey through life ... and one last point to bring up - EVERY CAPRICORN born, in addition to some late degree Sagittarius and some early degree Aquarius born, got this Venus retrograde energy in their solar return chart for the year ahead so obviously the Universe is dictating there are issues for all of you to address for the coming year up until your next birthday ... below I have re-posted the significance of Venus retrograde in your solar return chart for your convenience to refer to and refresh your memory !!!

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."



NOW .... least we forget,  Mercury is still currently in its first retrograde journey for 2022 which began on January 14th at 10 degrees 20 minutes Aquarius and has now returned to the sign of Capricorn as of Tuesday, January 25th !!!

Taurus and Libra born you obviously have a lot to be processing during this time ... but more apparent is the fact that the Universe is trying to get every one's attention in regards to something in these areas that HAS TO and MUST be addressed !!!

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

 VENUS, with stately grace and refined elegance, began its transit through the committed, disciplined sign of Capricorn, today, November 5th, at 6:44 AM EDT ... this Venus has a somewhat more somber and serious nature as it is transiting through a sign ruled by Saturn the taskmaster/teacher who tends to limit and restrict and produce a need for restructuring and can sometimes even make us doubt whether we truly love someone or are lovable ourselves !!! ... Capricorn is an Earth sign and when Venus transits an Earth sign interactions with others are sought sensually and with practicality as well as sought after for comfort and stability ... Venus was last in Capricorn from January 8th through February 1st of this year !!!

Venus in Capricorn enjoys being responsible, practical, and competent ... there is a tendency to relate seriously, formally, and at times with some reserve ... affection is expressed cautiously and soberly ...   there is pleasure found here in self control and therefore sometimes there is inhibition in pleasure or love needs due to fears, limitations and inner doubts - all compliments of Saturn no doubt !!! ... here achievement of material wealth and status in the world gives one the feeling of emotional security ... ambitions, status or a conservative approach may affect love and social urges ... handling of money/possessions usually is very businesslike, pragmatic and very well organized ... predictability and fidelity are a must in love relationships !!!



Venus in Capricorn wants to be "sure" ere it makes any commitments in partnerships but will work hard to make sure the relationship endures once formed ... Venus in Capricorn is a dedicated love ... this transit produces an elegant side of Venus - the one that loves dressing up, expensive accessories, and social affairs ... there is an interest in antiques found here which includes anything, or anyone for that matter, that has been around long enough to show its worth ... Venus in Capricorn is often starved for love ... OK everyone - GROUP HUG HERE!!!



Venus in Capricorn often seeks to improve its status ... proud and reserved in public behavior, this Venus dislikes overt public displays of emotion and affection which can yield an apparent dignified air which is resented by others as it becomes perceived as snobbishness ... emotions and sexuality can be repressed here, but in private there can be great sensuality ... though not openly demonstrative, there is great loyalty and steadfastness due to an innate sense of personal responsibility in important relationships !!!



Venus in Capricorn teaches us all about loving through building ... the test of time becomes a requirement ... the revelation here is that love is indeed not a business and if one wants a deeply spiritual kind of love relationship, the heart must be opened up and surrendered ... to that end, the energy of Venus in Capricorn may be expressed in the following ways:


POSITIVE: committed, serious lover, steadfast, constant, cautious, trustworthy, disciplined, objective, genuine affections, modest, cool exterior, reserved, dignified, sense of composure, self-controlled, upright, practical, resourceful, affluent, self-made


NEGATIVE: possessive, jealous, inflexible, self-righteous, inhibited, distrustful, stern, indifferent, undemonstrative, mean, cold manner, unfeeling, snobbish, too formal, self-contained, stiff, materialistic, money-grubbing, penny-pinching, selfish

My fellow Capricorns, this is our time to shine when Venus bestows its grace, charm and luck on us - but aren't we usually charming and elegant in a somewhat understated manner anyway ??? ... remember to ask for what you want now as you just may get it ... just remember the sage advice "be careful what you wish for" - and that goes for everyone !!!

And while love may not actually be for sale here - well at least in most situations - the proof of its value and worth must certainly be "tendered"!!! 

During this extended transit, try your best listening to your heart and not your own voice as well as other peoples voices ... others will appreciate you if you truly appreciate them ... expressing your feelings verbally, without being overbearing, will open new doors both socially and emotionally ... time to get out there and experience the reality of variety truly being the spice of life - which again this time around will be greatly limited until further notice ... and while you're at it, you just might become proficient at speaking the "language" of  LOVE !!!

Venus is now with Mercury, retrograde until February 3rd, Mars, and Pluto already in transit through Capricorn -all three "personal planets" keeping Pluto company !!! ... Venus remains in the sign of Capricorn until March 5th/6th depending on which time zone in which you live ... as previously mentioned Venus will exit its retrograde zone on March 1st !!!

Venus remains in direct motion until July 22nd/23rd, 2023 at which point it will take its next retrograde journey completely in the sign of  Leo from 28 degrees 36 minutes Leo back to 12 degrees 12 minutes Leo where it will conclude on September 3rd/4th, 2023 once again depending on which time zone in which you live !!! - aren't you excited at the thought of that you ferocious Leo born ??? 

As for this Venus retrograde period being complete, it's time to try to live, laugh and let your love flow but somewhat cautiously to begin with, and hopefully Cupids arrows will now be flying back on target towards lovingly piercing your heartstrings instead of impaling you in ya BUM - well maybe not until after Mercury stations back into direct motion on February 3rd !!!

EFFICIENT, PRACTICAL, BEING CAPABALE OF MAKING DECISIVE ACTION CALCULATED WITH SELF-CONTROL AND DISCIPLINE !!!

 

MARS began its transit through the responsible, hardworking sign of Capricorn today, January 24th at 7:53 AM EST ... this Mars energy is absolutely all about getting the job done and doing so very thoroughly !!! ... Mars was last in Capricorn from February 16th through March 30th, 2020 ... Mars is back now ready to teach Capricorn born yet another lesson as well as the rest of us !!!

In astrological terms, Mars is said to be "exalted" in the sign of Capricorn ... every planet has one particular sign, apart from the one it rules, where it expresses itself most harmoniously ... complementary forces are increased and the virtues are magnified ... for Mars it is Capricorn because the organization and discipline of Saturn - the planet which rules Capricorn - makes for the most efficient, practical use of the Mars energy ... here people are more capable of decisive action ... not as much energy may be expended, but the energy that one expends is usually more effective ... there is also a high degree of self-control and discipline, and orders can be taken from those in power and implemented producing positive results ... therefore, it should come as no surprise that many who pursue military careers are born with Mars in Capricorn !!!

Great energy is channeled into professional ambition here ... it is extremely materialistic ... desire for recognition and high status is very intense ... actions are usually well organized and very carefully calculated to achieve concrete results in terms of money and professional advancement ... as a result, many business executives are born with Mars in Capricorn or have Mars in the 10th house - the house of career and public image !!!

Mars in Capricorn bestows pride in doing a job correctly along with a corresponding disrespect for laziness and lack of ambition ... one has to be careful under this energy not to use people for the sake of status and material gain due to a loss of human values in the intensity of ones material ambition ... if Mars in Capricorn is heavily afflicted in ones natal chart with this placement, or the current transiting chart under this energy, there can be a danger of broken bones !!!

Mars in Capricorn signifies force and energy kept under control ... that is, to be used when it is necessary ... ones strength here lies in the ability to endure ... obstacles in ones path are usually run over roughshod ... there is vigor and dynamic force along with quiet self-reliance ... sexual nature becomes earthy and passionate with the element of self-control governing relationships ... sometimes one is hot-blooded, sexy and romantic, and at other times chilly, withdrawn and disinterested ... sexually, passion is expressed only to someone whom you have allowed yourself to become intimately involved with ... ultimately the lesson here is learning not to just indulge in a body for its own sake without appreciating that it houses a Soul !!!

Mars in Capricorn teaches us about how we get what we want through building ... here we have the master builder, the chief executive ... one goes about getting what one wants with such a deliberate, pragmatic and sure-footed fashion, that whatever you get usually remains yours!!! ... achievements are based on a very firm foundation, and as a rule, short cuts are not taken as one realizes they often become the longer way around ... the key here is to learn to appreciate that one is getting somewhere by trusting that the "building work" is going on even though at times it may be taking place unconsciously or beneath the surface where most foundations are  usually based !!!

Mars in Capricorn can often be an indicator of the self-made person due to the ultimate realization, sooner or later, that it may become necessary to have to go it alone ... the ability to delegate and regulate is an essential quality under this energy ... and this applies to both the personal and professional areas of ones life ... this ability results mainly from having a purpose and a plan along with a sense of timing ... one of the greatest gifts of Mars in Capricorn is in learning to pace yourself and not be pressured by others who do not understand the certainty of ultimate success ... so the energy breaks down in this manner:

POSITIVE: persistent, single-minded, nobodies fool, industrious, works according to plan, earthy and practical, authoritative, respects order, disciplined, commands respect, sexually disciplined, capable of celibacy, strong sex drive, self-reliant, energetic worker, decisive, cuts through red tape, inscrutable

NEGATIVE: pig-headed, disagreeable, dog-eat-dog attitude, workaholic, cold and calculating, insists on material results, uses others, lust for control, disregards others' rights, slave-driving, sexually controlling/controlled, suppresses libido, lacking affection, lonely, restless at work, agonizing, bucks the system, self-mystifying

My fellow Capricorn born individuals, as you are probably aware when Mars transits ones birth sign, one is given an extra boost of energy so no doubt we will be using this energy to place those sure-footed steps in place as we continue our upward climb ...  just be careful you don't accidentally "incinerate" someone with the extra fiery energy empowering you !!!


Mars remains in Capricorn until March 5th/6th depending on which time zone in which you live ... just a reminder, Mars will take its next retrograde journey this year from October 30th through January 12th, 2023 going from 25 degrees 7 minutes Gemini back to 8 degrees 8 minutes Gemini !!!



Mars now joins Venus - currently retrograde in Capricorn until February 3rd,  and Pluto already transiting through the sign of Capricorn with Mercury to join the party per retrograde motion when it returns to the sign of Capricorn tomorrow, 1/25, at 10:05 PM EST - what a dynamic combination of planetary energy that has the potential to produce great achievements, growth and advancement, or possibly great ruin and destruction depending on how you harness this very powerful energy !!!

THE "GREAT AWAKENER" STATIONS DIRECT - TIME FOR CHANGE ... PERHAPS THROUGH REBELLION ???

 

ZZZZZZZAP !!!! ... and just like that, there was definitely something electric in the air as the planet Uranus completed its retrograde journey for 2021, which began back on August 20th, 2021 and stationed back into direct motion on Tuesday, January 18th, at 10:27 AM EST at 10 degrees 49 minutes Taurus - definitely an unconventional potential "wake-up" call bestowed upon us by the Universe as we barely have recently entered a New Year !!!

URANUS DOES NOT PLAY AROUND !!! ... it is the planet representing sudden and unexpected change ... it is a shocker ... it gives flashes of insight, rebelliousness and originality ... it represents eccentricity, genius, inventiveness, revolution, intuition and the sixth sense, and everything that happens out of the blue!!! ... Uranus questions and challenges authority, and transcends business-as-usual social and cultural ideas to come to new solutions ... it absolutely insists on freedom but there is also an understanding here that freedom must be learned one step at a time!!! ... it rules electricity, technology, computers, and all things on the cutting edge ... most importantly - at least to me !!! - it is the planet that rules Astrology!!!

While Uranus was in retrograde motion, it was time for all of us to ask what changes are occurring in the world and how we are contributing to or working against these changes - the ability to see the importance between your own personal changes and the ones occurring globally, and the connection between the two, became a strong focal point !!!

Uranus has literally been slowing down to shift direction and hovering at 10 degrees of Taurus since around December 29th, so it may have felt like there was an edginess and restlessness on some level of our lives for the last month adding to the stress of the Holiday season !!! ... since approximately January 13th, it was, from an astrological viewpoint, literally vibrating at a near stand still sending out its potentially disruptive and erratic "electrically charged" energy which may have proved to be a very sensitive point in whatever area of life is ruled by where this degree is in your natal chart !!!

After Uranus stations direct, many may experience some kind of sudden and unexpected occurrence, particularly in regards to any of the previously above mentioned traits, happening to or around them or even perhaps in regards to the area of life ruled by whichever house in your natal chart this change in direction has occurred !!! ... has anything happened perhaps within the last week that was sudden and unexpected in some area of your life or the lives of others you know ??? ... or has anyone felt more edgy and restless without really knowing why ???

There could be a lot of us who experienced elevated tension during this period ... in some cases there was most likely a sudden and unexpected change made out of the blue - or even a confrontational situation arose we were not expecting ... and until the direct motion energy completely settles in, there could be many sudden and unexpected instances of rebellion, disruption, explosions - of many varieties, and confrontations !!!

This Uranus retrograde occurred from 14 degrees 47 minutes Taurus back down to 10 degrees 49 minutes Taurus ... if you've had a natal chart run, then you might get a good clue as to where this Uranus retrograde may have impacted your life especially the day that jolt of energy began moving outward and forward once again !!! ... now that Uranus is direct we can expect the potential for many changes - it's time to start putting those changes in motion in a positive and not confrontational, rebellious or negative manner !!!

As Uranus is currently in the middle stages of transiting through the sign of Taurus - where the lesson of this energy is all about "awakening" through learning to stabilize - the Universe has been giving not only Taurus born - who may have especially felt the impact of this retrograde - but everyone a glimpse of things to come and where CHANGE WILL NEED TO BE AND MUST BE ADDRESSED and WILL ULTIMATELY TAKE PLACE while Uranus transits Taurus ... Uranus is considered to be in its "fall" in Taurus as it opposite to the sign it is exalted in which is Scorpio ... in "fall", a planet can have difficulty in expressing its real nature ... it is said that in "fall", it's like the planet is visiting in someone else's house where it does not really feel comfortable ... so does this make its often disruptive, rebellious nature even more challenging or modify it somewhat ??? ... each individual will discover that on their own during this transit !!!

With Uranus in Taurus, once someone decides they want something they usually will stick to their commitment ... there are often extremely strong feelings about money either good or challenging ... it can produce financial ups and downs quite suddenly and unexpectedly ... often one will move towards more concrete, innovative ways of making money ... there is extreme determination and purpose, but carried to extremes it can greatly interfere and slow down ones progress ... it is said that materialistic attachments could limit ones freedom of expression and have a stifling effect on spiritualistic impulses ... and certainly it practically goes without saying, but I will, that knowing the house placement(s) where this transit will occur in your natal chart will be very important to understand where in your life this energy may strongly manifest in your life !!!

Uranus in Taurus has the potential to be very strong and can bestow willpower and determination ... Uranus was last in Taurus from 1934/1935 through 1942 ... this was the period of the worst of the Great Depression as well as the trigger for World War II !!!

Uranus takes roughly 7 years to completely transit through each sign of the zodiac ... it entered the sign of Taurus on May 15th, 2018 ... Uranus will not complete its transit through the sign of Taurus until April 25th/26th, 2026 depending on which time zone in which you live !!!

Aquarius born individuals, you may especially feel the forward jolt or thrust of this powerful energy as your period of "hibernation" is over and it's time to move forward once again ... what have you been thinking about in your life since August 20th of 2021 that needs some kind of change - major or minor ??? ... what unique things have you discovered about yourself, and where have you felt a need to break free from something or someone in order to express your individuality ???

Uranus remains in direct motion until August 24th ... this forward motion will take Uranus from 10 degrees 49 minutes Taurus up to 18 degrees 55 minutes Taurus ... so now we all have this energy - to be different, to be independent, to be rebellious, to have our own freedom and to do things suddenly and unexpectedly - turned outward - LOOK OUT !!!

We are now being "charged up" to boldly and assertively move forward into this New Year to progressively bring about change and independence somewhere in our lives and within the collective in order to promote further personal and spiritual growth - "SHOCKING" ISN'T IT ???

HOW MUCH OF A "WILD THING" MARCHING TO THE BEAT OF A DIFFERENT DRUM WILL YOU BECOME ???

The Sun began its "electrifying" transit through the bold, progressive sign of Aquarius yesterday, January 19th, at 9:39 PM EST ... it's that time of year when we all have the potential to think outside of the box, become more fiercely independent, unconventional and may experience a great desire to live life on the "cutting edge" !!! ... the Sun in Aquarius allows one to "shine" in various ways :

shining uniquely and inventively - ones avenues for recognition and attention are likely to be unique to oneself, and self-expression is tied to a need for freedom to experiment ...


shining by seeking recognition rebelliously or independently - one may fight against standard methods for "success" or "fame" thus seeking recognition as a rebel ...


shining in a futuristic manner - one is likely to be ego-involved with progress achieving recognition through forward-looking activities or ideas that include working with new technology or anything that is perceived as being on the cutting edge of change ...


shining by being rational - one may achieve recognition for their objectivity, logic and intellectual detachment where creativity could possibly be directed towards innovative approaches to humanitarian causes and social welfare carefully analyzing options without any emotional bias ...


whether you are born under this natal energy or are simply incorporating it into your own natal energy by transit, you will certainly have the potential to be seen as one of the "different ones" !!!

Aquarius is a masculine, fixed air sign ... its glyph is the waves of electricity or to some waves of water ... anatomically it rules the shins, ankles and the circulatory system ... its key phrase is "I KNOW" and its keyword is "IMAGINATION" !!!

Aquarius is ruled by the planet Uranus - the first modern planet being discovered in 1781 ... it was named after the ancient Greek sky God - the first ruler of the Universe ... its pictorial symbol is that of the Water-bearer - dispensing a gift that flows freely and equally to all representing the creation and the giving of life ... Uranus is the planet which rules the nervous system, inventions, originality, science, electricity, magic, the occult, light, psychology, x-rays, airplanes and insight into the laws of nature, and more importantly ASTROLOGY !!!  ... it is futuristic, humanitarian, intellectual, eccentric, bohemian, egotistical and Utopian ... it governs creative will, sudden change, revolution and dictators, individualism, ingenuity, rebellions and autonomy ... its action is sudden, unexpected and often violent ... it is a breaker of tradition ... recent studies have shown that Uranus is also associated with natural disasters !!!

Aquarius is the sign on the 11th house of the natural  horoscope ... it is a house of group relationships whose keyword is social consciousness ... it reflects your capacity for friendship, your attitude toward  your friends and acquaintances and all non-emotional relationships ... it indicates what you most desire in life, your goals, the love you receive as well as money obtained from your profession or business ... the 11th house also shows step, foster, and adopted children, and also circumstances over which you have little to no control ... it represents your humanitarian interests, the way you see others, large and small organizations, and the clubs you belong to, which may somehow relate to your  career !!!

The Sun sign describes the center of ones being - the Will ... it shows what dwells in or lies close to your heart and what gives your life a sense of creative purpose ... it is symbolic of ones Spirit ... so whether you are a natal born Aquarius or experiencing this energy through a transit, the Sun in Aquarius is teaching us how to live successfully and productively through liberating ... the goal here, being energy of the Water-bearer and Water symbolizing the emotions, is to experience and express ones feelings without getting "wet" - to avoid being emotionally biased, overly attached or becoming upset !!!

The Sun is considered to be in detriment in Aquarius - being opposite the sign it naturally rules in the zodiac which in this case is Leo ... its like visiting where you must conform to rules and regulations which can be very challenging for this energy !!! ... as a result the Will can lose itself in the vast "sky" of ones urge to be free ... more than any other sign, Aquarius holds the key to what it truly means to be a human being ... but most important of all is the seeking of freedom for oneself through developing a greater sense of what life on Earth is all about ... and ironically, one being under this energy is all about discovering the love of humanity while not being so keen on one-to-one relationships ... the energy of  the Sun in Aquarius can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: impartial, cool, broad-minded, fair judge, friendly, gregarious, humanitarian, democratic, reformist, idealistic, inventive, original, unaffected, convincing, intuitive, outwardly calm, clownish, free-thinking, free-loving, open-ended

NEGATIVE: avoids intimacy, aloof, non-committal, emotionally inept, impersonal, anti-social, lacks sympathy, hypocritical, reactionary, impractical, cranky, elitist, mocking, imposes ideas, cutting, secretly anxious, sarcastic, catty, flighty, pointless



HAPPY SOLAR RETURN ALL AQUARIUS BORN INDIVIDUALS - this is the beginning of your new solar year - a fresh start !!! ... Leo born you are beginning a new 30 day lesson of life as your ruling planet, the Sun, transits through Aquarius ... and we all should be learning on some level of our lives as well which actually we should be doing all of the time !!!

The Sun now joins Mercury, currently retrograde, and Saturn already transiting through Aquarius - that's a lot of energy pushing us to move forward into the future but hopefully not by being too rebellious !!!  

The Sun remains in Aquarius until February 18th ... the question now becomes - just how much of a "wild thing" marching to the beat of a different drum during this often unpredictable transit will we allow ourselves to become ???

NOW is the time to be a rebel with a specific cause in ones own unique and individually creative style that is undoubtedly being fueled by something electric in the air especially as Uranus stationed back into direct motion on Tuesday, January 18th !!! 

"AND JUST LIKE THAT" ... HERE WE ARE ... AGAIN ... MERCURY RETROGRADE !!!

Whether we like it or not - most will say NOT !!! - Mercury began its first RETROGRADE journey for 2022 on Friday, January14th, at 6:41 AM EST ... if you've been following my blogs, then you know exactly what to expect during a Mercury Retrograde … as always - EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED - especially as this first dual sign retrograde period begins in the sign of Aquarius which is ruled by Uranus the planet of the sudden and unexpected !!! ... this Mercury retrograde will go from 10 degrees 20 minutes Aquarius back to 24 degrees 23 minutes Capricorn ... this year we will experience four Mercury retrograde periods three of which are dual sign and the final one will be completely in the sign of Capricorn ... the final Mercury retrograde this year will be partially, for the first 15 days, embedded in the Mars retrograde this year which occurs from October 30th through January 12th, 2023  ... Mercury was last retrograde in a dual sign  retrograde with Aquarius/Capricorn in February of 2016 !!!

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 !!! 

To RE-peat, 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 Mercury retrograde period 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 ... if you've had a natal chart done and know in which house or houses these degrees fall, then you will probably get an idea of where the Universe is asking you to step back and take a closer look at what you are doing in that area of your life as well as where mishaps and misunderstandings may occur !!!

Some of you may have noticed the beginning of this backwards energy when Mercury entered its shadow point - the point where it will come out of the retrograde on February 3rd - back on December 29th, 2021 at 24 degrees23 minutes Capricorn ... and the backward energy could have been especially apparent as we were already in a Venus retrograde which began on December 19th, 2021 !!!

It practically goes without saying that 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 !!!

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 - and that goes double for USED CARS, as well as computers or anything that involves electronics especially while this retrograde period is  partially in Aquarius !!!... 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 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 weddings, well I know it takes a long time to plan a wedding and some of them will just have to go on as planned, but if you can avoid a wedding in a Mercury Retrograde - DO IT !!! .... obviously one cannot put their life on hold, but if there is any way 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 !!!

Mercury retrograde in the sign of Aquarius yields an emphasis to ones friendships, ideas, and goals in life as those are issues addressed in the 11th house of the natural horoscope which is ruled by Uranus the planet ruling Aquarius ... to that end, there may also be issues with groups to which one belongs, non-emotional relationships, the love one receives, money obtained  from ones profession or business, step children, adopted children and foster children, circumstances in life over which you have little control, and ones humanitarian interests ... the mind can also become filled with many creative, cutting edge ideas as one tries to determine how to incorporate them into ones life !!!

While Mercury retrogrades in an air sign, this time being Aquarius, there is a major focus on how one relates and how we develop relationships and associations with other people ... when Mercury returns to Capricorn, an earth sign, the focus becomes determining the tangible results in ones life, to become more organized and learn to deal with practical matters, address security matters as well as ones most basic needs !!!

On January 25th, Mercury will reenter the sign of Capricorn and the emphasis of the retrograde period will shift ... As Mercury retrogrades in Capricorn certainly career and public image will be areas affected as Saturn rules Capricorn and is also the natural rules of the 10th house ... there will be some very deep and weighty thinking and rethinking done here ... along with profession, reputation and standing in the community, other areas where issues might arise that need reviewing and rethinking may include the following : ego, status, fame (or lack of it), promotion, ambition, business or social activities, ones employer, the government or any other authority over one, personal achievements, the way the world sees and evaluates one, the influence one exerts in their own circle, and the parent who is considered the authoritarian if both parents are still here, or the parent who remains should there only be one ... and all of the above may be twice as challenging as Venus is currently retrograde in Capricorn until January 29th !!!

In regards to overall health, remember Mercury is the natural planetary ruler of the 6th house which rules health, so there could be more chances to have health issues in general during a Mercury retrograde ... in Aquarius there could be more potential to have health issues in the area of the ankles, the circulatory system and the nervous system ... in Capricorn there could be more potential to have health issues with the bones, joints and knees !!!

 

A Mercury retrograde period is usually not a good time to have surgery as the healing process could be slowed down or there could be the chance of having to go back at a later date and take care of something that wasn't done correctly - especially in regards to cosmetic surgery !!! ... now this applies to elective surgery ... as for emergency surgery, we have no control over that and trying to put that off might produce catastrophic results !!!

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 (February 3rd).

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 you know what, I wouldn't start a new romance during this period either - wait until after February 3rd !!!

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.

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

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

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

Re-examine – Well, just about everything.

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

And so it is. Three sometimes four times a year 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!!! "


Back to me now ... Those born between January 15th and February 2nd will definitely have this Mercury retrograde energy in their solar return - birthday chart - for the whole year ahead ... those born on January 14th and February 3rd may or may not get this energy depending on what time you solar return occurs - some may be lucky enough to escape it for this year ... and some of us are going to get both Mercury and Venus retrograde in our solar returns this year ... yet another very good reason to know your time of birth if you can find it !!! ... below is a repeat explanation of what it means to have Mercury Retrograde for the whole year in your birthday chart summed up by Mary Fortier Shea in her book titled "Planets in Solar Return":

"The significance of having Mercury retrograde in your yearly birthday chart or, as we refer to it in Astrology, a 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 !!! " 

Gemini and Virgo born, as Mercury is your planetary ruler, once again it is time for you to "try" to slow down and review and reexamine what is going on in your life especially since the last Mercury retrograde ended back on October 10th, 2021 !!!

For all of us, this becomes a time to review and rethink what is going on in our lives and especially what may have been started or done during the last Mercury Retrograde, that being September 27th through October 10th, 2021 ...  actions taken during previous retrograde periods could come back to haunt us as well - for 2021 that would include May 29th through June 22nd, 2021 and January 30th through February 20th, 2021 ... and it would not be out of the realm of possibilities to have something from a previous Mercury retrograde further back than the ones mentioned above come back for some reason that we have to deal with ... 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 potentially wreaks its cosmic havoc for the next 21 days ... Mercury remains retrograde until February 3rd !!!

 

SO ... slow down, try not to act too impulsively, and go with the universal flow ... don't try to swim up stream 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 tempers will flare and patience may become scarce, but that personal sense of humor, being one of your greatest allies, should be kept very close by and called upon frequently as the Mercury Retrograde merrily, along with great irritation in many instances, wreaks havoc and/or bestows enlightenment !!!

And  in the end my fellow beings of light, as this first Mercury Retrograde period of 2016 is now upon us, the question as always is will we become the constant victim of Cosmic Chaos, become the recipient of great Cosmic Clarity ... or BOTH ???

2022 : PERSONAL PLANET (MERCURY, VENUS, MARS) RETROGRADE FLIP FLOP SEQUENCE - VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO HAVE !!!

As the Sun is currently in transit through the sign of Capricorn, it seems like an excellent time to be practical and responsible and pull out those Cosmic binoculars and look ahead to address the personal planet - Mercury, Venus, Mars - retrograde periods for 2022 ... this year won't be quite as tortuous, so to speak, like two years ago when all three planets took retrograde periods flip flopping back and forth and sometimes even crossing into each other's backward energy ... I always refer to this sequence as the Personal Planet Retrograde Flip Flop and will from here on out refer to it as the PPRFF ... this year Mercury will take four retrograde journeys ...  Venus began this New Year with the planet ruling love, money, personal values and partnerships/relationships both public and private going backwards - gives one pause for thought now doesn't it ??? ... Mars and Mercury will close out 2022 with their retrograde journeys which will enter into the New Year for 2023 ... the following is a listing of the retrograde periods for those who like to be prepared and perhaps plan ahead ... each of the retrograde periods will be addressed in more detail as they actually occur !!!

This sequence began on November 17th, 2021 when Venus entered its shadow point and concludes with Mars exiting its next retrograde zone on March 15th, 2023 ... as Venus technically kicked off the PPRFF back on November 17th, 2021, the Universe will bestow us with the beginning of a personal planet retrograde sequence that goes in the following order - Venus, Mercury, Mercury, Mercury, Mars and Mercury ... the first three Mercury retrogrades will be dual sign and the final will be only in one sign ... the final Mercury retrograde will be embedded in the final 15 days of the Mars retrograde ...  !!!  

These three planets - Mercury, Venus and Mars - are considered to be the "personal" planets as their energy tends to reveal behavior characteristics that make one unique ... the Sun and Moon are also in this group but they never go retrograde ... the following is a general idea of the timing of their retrograde periods during the PPRFF ... each retrograde period will be addressed in more detail later as they actually begin !!!

Every planet, no matter which one that is involved in a retrograde journey, goes through a period of influence ... it begins with the approaching backward energy making itself apparent, the actual retrograde period where the energy is indeed moving backwards, and then the energy turning back into forward motion as the planet moves back to the point where it began its retrograde period ... these point are respectively referred to as :

SHADOW POINT - the planet, still in forward motion, reaches the degree where it will end its upcoming retrograde period


RETROGRADE PERIOD - the degrees and sign, or signs in some cases, where the retrograde takes place


EXIT RETROGRADE ZONE - the degree and sign where the retrograde period began to which the planet has now returned to and is passing over ... considered by some astrologers as the planet returning back up to full speed 

Shadow points aren't always thought of as being that detrimental, but they often will produce some kind of energy or event that appears to foreshadow what the upcoming retrograde period will involve ... the retrograde period is the actual time where one should slow down and be careful as to actions being taken especially in regard to which particular area of life the planet, and the sign it is retrograding in, rules or exerts its energy over ... if you've had a natal chart done then you will get an even better idea as to where this backward energy will present in your life for you to deal with in regards to the house or houses it occurs in, natal planets it aspects, and natal planets the retrograde planet crosses back over ... once the retrograde is over the planet has now resumed forward motion and in most cases it is not a problem to proceed with what needs to be addressed in your life, but one just might want to be somewhat more cautious until the planet exits the retrograde zone !!!



The following is a brief description of the general effects of a Mercury, Venus or Mars retrograde period ... as mentioned before, they will be dealt with in more complete detail later as they occur :


MERCURY - Mercury goes retrograde 3 and sometimes 4 times a year ... it governs our thinking and how we communicate naturally governing the 3rd house (Gemini) of the horoscope ... it also governs the 6th house (Virgo) thus making its retrograde period a time when work and health issues arise especially in regard to the sign or signs it takes its retrograde journey in ... as a rule, 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 - that goes double for USED CARS, computers or anything that involves electronics ... 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 not a good idea to enter into contracts or start new jobs as they will most likely not pan out and end up becoming dead ends ... and weddings, well I know it takes a long time to plan a wedding and some of them will just have to go on as planned, but if you can avoid a wedding in a Mercury Retrograde - DO IT !!!


VENUS - Venus goes retrograde roughly every 18 months for a period of about 6 weeks ... Venus naturally governs the 2nd house (Taurus) which addresses money, how you earn it and how you spend it, as well as personal values ... it also naturally governs the 7th house (Libra) which addresses face-to-face partnerships and relationships ... during a transiting Venus retrograde, old lovers or friends may resurface - some hoping to reconnect while others are only in and out for "pass and review" so to speak ... 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 get reconsidered - both material and spiritual - to see if they still make sense or need adjusting somewhere ... the main purpose of a 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 ... it's 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 need or want", 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 could also 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 is not usually 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, and the job 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", salaries could be cut back or the job may be terminated for one reason or another ... we also tend to become a little less sociable and often forget our manners ...  ABOVE ALL ELSE, 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" ???


MARS - Mars goes retrograde roughly every 22 months for about 9 - 10 weeks ... Mars naturally governs the 1st house (Aries) which addresses not only the way we individually project ourselves out into the world but ultimately our desires, drives, ambition and personal energy ...  during a Mars retrograde we have to evaluate what it is that motivates us and we have to determine if we are on the correct path to achieve our goals, and if we are doing what we should be doing to get there ... Mars retrograde periods are time for all of us to adjust our actions and aggressive instincts to ensure that our intent is accomplished ... this often includes going back over previous actions and having to redo them or let them go in order to move forward ... old resentments and personal issues that haven't been resolved in the past have a tendency of resurfacing during this period which yields an awareness that the time has come to develop new strategies and approaches for dealing with issues, anger and learning assertiveness ... it is often said that during a Mars retrograde we may become somewhat less "warlike" and that our energy can hit a lull to the point where it seems our get up and go truly got up and went !!!!


The following are the actual dates of the upcoming personal planet retrograde periods in case you would like to mark your calendar or make a note in order to be prepared ... and for the sake of once again saving excessive typing these are the following letter abbreviations to note the period of the particular retrograde ... SP = Shadow Point ... RX = Retrograde Period ... ERXZ = Exit Retrograde Zone :



VENUS -

SP : 11/17/2021 ... 11 degrees 5 minutes Capricorn

RX : 12/19/2021 - 1/29/2022 ... 26 degrees 29 minutes Capricorn back to 11 degrees 5 minutes Capricorn

ERXZ : 3/1 ... 26 degrees 29 minutes Capricorn



MERCURY -

SP : 12/29/2021 ... 24 degrees 23 minutes Capricorn

RX : 1/14 - 2/3 ...  10 degrees 20 minutes Aquarius back to 24 degrees 23 minutes Capricorn

ERXZ : 2/24 ... 10 degrees 20 minutes Aquarius



MERCURY -

SP : 4/26 ... 26 degrees 5 minutes Taurus

RX : 5/10 - 6/3 ... 4 degrees 52 minutes Gemini back to 26 degrees 5 minutes Taurus

ERXZ : 6/18 ... 4 degrees 52 minutes Taurus



MERCURY -

SP : 8/20 ... 24 degrees 12 minutes Virgo

RX : 9/10 - 10/2 ... 8 degrees 55 minutes Libra back to 24 degrees 12 minutes Virgo

ERXZ : 10/17 ... 8 degrees 55 minutes Libra



MARS -

SP : 9/3 ... 8 degrees 8 minutes Gemini

RX : 10/30 - 1/12/2023 ... 25 degrees 37 minutes Gemini back to 8 degrees 8 minutes Gemini

ERXZ : 3/15/2023 ... 25 degrees 37 minutes Gemini

MERCURY -

SP : 12/12 ... 8 degrees 8 minutes Capricorn

RX : 12/29/2022 - 1/18/2023 ... 24 degrees 21 minutes Capricorn back to 8 degrees 8 minutes Capricorn

ERXZ ... 2/6,7/ 2023 ... 24 degrees 21 minutes Capricorn


Now you have a basic idea of what to expect throughout this year and into next year in regards to the backward motion and resulting influence of these three planets ... transiting retrogrades affect everyone because the energy we feel from the retrograde planet is "different" while it is, so to speak, moving backwards ... it doesn't mean it is all doom and gloom and something that should be dreaded ... sometimes a retrograde period may come and go with side effects barely noticeable while other times it could prove extremely challenging ... but that of course is going to depend on where you are in life and what is going on around you ... for those born with any of these planets retrograde in their natal chart, I sometimes have found these clients seem to navigate these often choppy waters with less stress and aggravation ... and you have to keep in mind that these particular energies aren't the only ones producing influential energy down here below ... there are always many different energies in play "upstairs" at any given time which results in the universal energy affecting one through transits around their natal chart, progressions to their natal chart, solar returns, lunar returns and a vast array of other cosmic influences which can usually be deciphered for you by an astrologer !!!

Though we all will probably experience some kind of effect or see it somewhere in our lives from the ensuing PPRFF, those that may be more sensitive to it include Capricorn, Aquarius, Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, and Libra born as these are the actual signs in which the respective retrograde periods will take place … Gemini, Virgo, Taurus, Libra, and Aries may be equally as sensitive to these retrogrades as these three are your ruling planets : Mercury = Gemini and Virgo, Venus = Taurus and Libra, and Mars = Aries !!!

Ultimately retrograde periods are simply Universal time outs put in place to slow us down and give us the opportunity to get back in sync with the Universal rhythm thus making them thought of as global wake-up calls ... so why try to swim upstream in a raging current … go with the flow - adjust and adapt … and, most importantly, in trying to determine what is going on around you due to planetary energy interplay and influence, and as nothing is set in stone, it is always a good thing to keep in mind a phrase my astrology teacher, Lyn Hammond Gray, used to stress over and over, from the very first day of class : when synthesizing the overall astrological energy at any given moment in time, always remember to consider this possibility - "MODIFIED BY WHAT ???"

"Everything must change ... nothing stays the same ... everyone must change ... no one stays the same ... " 

TRUTH AND ENLIGHTENMENT AWAKENING US LIKE A FLASH OF LIGHTENING - ARE YOU OPEN MINDED ENOUGH TO RECIEVE IT ???

MERCURY began its initial transit through the intellectual, highly unconventional sign of Aquarius yesterday, January 2nd, at 2:10 AM EST ... Mercury is considered to be in "exaltation" in the sign of Aquarius meaning it is in a sign other than the one it rules - in this case being Gemini and Virgo - where its energy is expressed very harmoniously and its forces are increased as well as its virtues are magnified !!! ... Mercury's last complete transit through Aquarius occurred from January 8th through March 15th, 2021 - a longer than normal transit due to a retrograde period and that will be the case this time around once again !!!

Mercury in Aquarius makes the mind and tongue tend to be unconventional sometimes to the extreme of shocking other people ... yours truly was born with this placement and I can vouch for the truth of this statement !!! ... communication is made intelligently, objectively, openly, and independently... language used can be very individualistic and sometimes rebelliously ... one thinks for them self and usually resists other people's answers ... learning is best done through questioning authority and seeking out unique experiences ... the mind is experimental, innovative, and future oriented ... one wants to explore all possibilities while keeping options open ... there is the tendency to jump from idea to idea resulting perhaps from an intuitive flash or brainstorming ... one must be careful not to become a victim of fragmented or erratic thinking ... there are usually excellent verbal skills here ... one can be quite objective allowing them to talk with just about anyone ... connections are best made on an individual basis ... interests usually include anything new age - oh say like astrology, numerology and tarot - and anything unusual, different, technological or progressive ... this energy frequently gives one the mind of a computer as well as the soul of a rebel !!!

Mercury in Aquarius usually indicates a fine and clever mind that is accurate, inventive and inquisitive ... people born under this energy - like yours truly !!! - often take a great interest in other people and have excellent judgment of human nature ... there is a love of analyzing character and motivation, and the finely tuned powers of observation that accompany this energy allow one to predict accurately how someone will react in a given situation ... Mercury here makes one a rather notorious people-watcher, and gives one a broad and emotionally detached outlook ... Aquarius is known as the sign of the truth-seeker and that characterizes the way this mind works ... sometimes one may seem eccentric as the ideas are so advanced ... and one may also enjoy saying things simply to shock other people - absolutely priceless, right ???


Mercury in Aquarius gives the mind the need for a lot of stimulation and activity ... interests are pursued thoroughly because of the capability of pursuing a train of thought for very long periods ... one is also capable of great inventive originality ... there is a desire to understand how the Universe is linked together ... one must be careful here of the powerful tendency toward abstraction causing one to become too detached and end up living in a mental environment that may be a long way from the reality of others around you ... also one may find that the thoughts speed so fast that one forgets to finish sentences - thinking others will understand where your thoughts were going - or one finishes other people's sentences for them in order to get on to the next topic ... a benefit of this energy is becoming aware that the individual mind is ultimately NOT separated from the Universal mind !!!



Mercury in Aquarius teaches us to learn to think through liberating ... one perceives things mentally in a manner that seems to others as highly unlikely or even odd ... there is a definite streak of stubbornness running through the mind which is a result of having a sense of the "Truth" and understanding how things really  are ... one has to be careful of the inherent blind spot which is detached objectivity to the point of missing the emotional factors in a given situation ... one of the main challenges of this energy is to learn to communicate ones vision and help others see life from a point beyond their personal hopes and fears ... the energy of Mercury in Aquarius can be expressed in the following ways :


POSITIVE: original thinker, inventive, unorthodox, comprehensive, scientific, objective, concise, well-informed, unable to be shocked, open-minded, truth-loving, perceptive, progressive thinker, Utopian, reformist, socially aware, intuitive, cosmically aware, telepathic and inspiring mind

NEGATIVE: way-out thinker, cranky, irrelevant, disjointed, clinical, lacks warmth, abrupt, unfeeling, indifferent, fixed opinions, contrary, emotionally blind, out of "time", unrealistic, reactionary, anti-social, scatterbrained, spaced out, overactive mind



Mercury now joins Saturn already transiting through Aquarius and will be joined by the Sun for the "rebellious and often unpredictable" party on January 19th/20th depending on which time zone in which you live ... perhaps the presence of Saturn will help us from going to far "off the rails" by offering grounding and structure !!! 

Mercury remains in Aquarius until - WAIT FOR IT - March 9th/10th, depending on which time zone in which you live, and you certainly know why ... Mercury will get no further than 10 degrees 20 minutes Aquarius when it begins its first of four retrograde journeys for 2022 on January 14th ... this retrograde will be a dual sign retrograde going from 10 degrees 20 minutes Aquarius back to 24 degrees 23 minutes Capricorn where it will end its retrograde journey on February 4th ... it will also be embedded in the final 16 days of the current Venus retrograde  currently in Capricorn ... no doubt many will come up with some scathingly brilliant ideas during this transit that we may have to think about and then rethink about !!!

MERCURY HAS ALREADY ENTERED ITS SHADOW POINT ON DECEMBER 29TH WHEN IT REACHED 24 DEGREES 23 MINUTES CAPRICORN !!!

During Mercury's transit through Aquarius, try thinking with a very open mind and remember that the truth often awakens like a flash of lightning - are you  prepared to be struck by it ???