THE ENJOYMENT OF EXPLORATION AND ADVENTURE WITH THE CONSTANT SEEKING OF THE IDEAL RELATIONSHIP !!!

VENUS - began its transit through the enthusiastic, broad-minded sign of Sagittarius yesterday, December 29th, at 3:24 PM EST ... this Venus is all about the adventure and excitement that love can bring, and therefore ends up being a love that doesn't always last especially being in a fire sign where the flames of passion and love can burn out fast especially when something or someone else perceived as better comes along ... but friendships have longevity and they are usually numerous ... Venus was last in Sagittarius from November 16th through December 10th, 2022 ... Venus in Sagittarius produces a much lighter, happier and less intense version of the pursuit of love than Scorpio !!!

Venus in Sagittarius energy enjoys travel, philosophy, education, and anything which will broaden ones horizons and perspective on life ... it is friendly, expansive and philanthropic towards people ... affection is expressed generously, grandly, extravagantly unless one becomes disillusioned when their ideals are denied ... in fact, this Venus can give so much that it forgets it deserves to receive as well ... honesty is valued and one can be quite broad minded in terms of love ... pleasure is found through ideals and ideas !!!



It may be difficult getting settled down into one relationship because there is the enjoyment of exploration and adventure along with the constant seeking of the ideal relationship ... comfort and harmony here requires the freedom to roam, explore, and always be able to look for something better ... NEVER try to tie down or fence this Venus in or it's over in the blink of an eye !!! ... the handling of money and possessions is usually optimistic and often can lead one to getting overextended ... this Venus wants "THE BEST" in its love relationships ... both partners must agree on goals, values and their world view ... philosophical harmony is absolutely essential ... being direct and honest is required ... there is also an increased benefit through foreign travel, people and their cultures ...this Venus energy can be extremely flirtatious !!!



Venus in Sagittarius teaches us how we love through what it is we are seeking ... it's the joy of love - here we find an awareness of the inexhaustible bounty of love ... one understands that there cannot be the good times without the bad, and through thick and thin faith in love and spiritual quests is never lost ... the unbounded and expansive sense of love and pleasure can inspire and warm ones heart ... along with the awareness of the infinite supply of Love, it is important to give something of value to others !!!



Venus in Sagittarius is also concerned with the bonding of physical and spiritual love ... it is important here to learn from actual experience rather than from a book ... ultimately a set of beliefs and principles will dictate that ones manner of loving and relating is essential to ones happiness ... this Venus likes quick emotional responses, honest and upfront relating, playing around and philanthropy ... it dislikes holding back, leaving things unsaid, restraint and inactivity and flattery and phony facades ... the energy of Venus in Sagittarius can be expressed in the following ways :



POSITIVE: romantic imagination, light-hearted, warm and affectionate, generous, guided by particular standards, benevolence and loyalty, idealistic, demonstrative, non-possessive, emotionally frank, honest with ones lover, broad-minded, socially active, vivacious, popular, friendly


NEGATIVE: easily attracted, impressionable, overly flirtatious, broken promises, forces beliefs on ones partner, unable to face emotional truth, hard to please, escapist, scatters emotions, fickle, brutally and offensively tactless, impersonally affectionate, amoral, name-dropper, promiscuous, a "groupie", squanders affections



Sagittarius born, the "love light " is shining on you for the next few weeks ... in fact Sagittarius Rising and Moon born will benefit as well !!! ... you just might get what you "desire" so go for it !!!  

Venus is currently transiting through Sagittarius along with retrograde Mercury, which concludes its backward journey on Monday, January 1st, and Mars ... Venus remains in Sagittarius until January 23rd !!! 

As Venus transits Sagittarius, it is important to remember to set a higher value on yourself which ultimately may lead to others appreciating you more ... you will be truly loved for expressing how you genuinely feel about yourself ... identify your ideals and needs and seek to express them ... understand that love grows through its own trials !!! ... and due to its nature of being extremely frank and direct in communicating feelings under this expansive energy, it might be best to heed the sage advice to take precaution and remember -

"LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS" !!!  

LEARNING THE KEY TO SUCCESS IN LIFE IS BUILDING ON STRONG, SOLID FOUNDATIONS !!!

The SUN begins its patient, responsible transit through the steady, MOST FABULOUS, WONDERFUL, HONORABLE, CHERISHED, HIGHLY PRODUCTIVE, EFFICIENT, IN OTHER WORDS - NUMERO UNO BABY - SIGN OF THE ZODIAC - CAPRICORN, today, December 21st, at 10:27 PM EST!!! ... OK, so this happens to be my birth sign, BUT ... once again, WHO'S doing the blogging here - un-huh ??? ... I believe that allows me to embellish ever so slightly and I think my fellow Cappies would most heartily agree even though we can often be quite reserved !!! ... Old man winter has come to call, however for those in the Southern hemisphere Summer has begun and the heat is on ... the light-hearted, fun loving fiery energy of Sagittarius is now replaced with the slower earth bound energy dedicated to manifesting ones ambition into reality !!! ... we now turn our attention to focus on practical matters and attempt to go into the New Year with a firm resolution ready to be productive and successful !!!

Capricorn is the 10th sign of the natural zodiac and represents the beginning of the Winter season - at least in the Northern hemisphere ... it's the shortest day of the year and now the days begin to get longer as the "light" returns !!! ... with the Sun in Capricorn we need to 'shine' through responsibility, in a traditional manner, in seeking attention through authority or authorities, and in our public image and/or careers !!!

Capricorns glyph is the Sea Goat - the ancient symbol used to represent the sign ... the glyph shows the V-shaped beard of the Goat and the curved tail of the Fish ... the glyph is two straight lines that meet and are connected to a circle and a crescent ... this represents the melding of authority and responsibility that is made stronger through energy and passion ... the Goat's steps are slow and sure as they take their time to make sure they get where they are going ... the hooves representing the fact that they attain their goal through using surefooted solid steps !!!

Capricorns quality is cardinal - meaning beginnings ... its element is earth making it a sign a little slower to move ... its energy is feminine - nurturing and passive ... its key phrase is 'I Use' and keyword is 'Ambition' ... anatomically Capricorn rules the bones, joints and knees - but, also due to its association with Saturn, rules the skin, the skeletal system (including teeth), left ear and auditory organs !!!

The planetary ruler of Capricorn is Saturn - the teacher, the taskmaster, the disciplinarian ... Saturn rules form, responsibility, organization, ambition, capacity for a career, limitations and delays ... Saturn also governs theories and scientific law, older persons, depth, patience, timing, tradition, conventionality, orthodoxy, and productive use of time ... it represents the principles of truth, of contraction, or solidification of wisdom and of aging ... Saturn's action is slow and lasting ... if you have had a natal chart done and know in which house Saturn is located, then you know where you best focus and assume responsibility, or where you may feel least secure and tend to overcompensate !!!

Capricorn is the natural ruler of the 10th house of the zodiac ... this is a house of substance whose keyword is 'Honor'... this house shows your profession, your reputation, and your standing in the community ... it indicates your ego, status, fame, promotion, ambition, business and social activities, your employer, the government or any other authority over you ... it shows your achievements, how the world sees and evaluates you, and the influence you may exert in your own circle ... here we see the Church as an organization, and the opposite parent represented by your natal 4th house ... the parent who becomes the wage earner or authoritarian moves into this 10th house when you are able to distinguish between the two and no longer view them as one unit ... a footnote - if you are raised in a single parent home, then that parent is represented by both the 4th and the 10th houses !!!

The energy we experience with the Sun in Capricorn is teaching us to learn how to live through what we build upon ... it is concerned with making a success of life ... one is satisfied here through a sense of purpose and responsibility ... as this surefooted progression gets one to their intended goal, sometimes the foothold can be on someone else's feet or head!!! ... this is a very complex sign and often its energy is perceived as melancholy and stern - but anyone who cares enough to penetrate through the shell of reserve will be greatly rewarded as Capricorns affections and loyalty run deep, and it cherishes and protects loved ones ... it is here for the long haul !!!

The upper half of the Sea Goat represents the earthy and persistent climber ... but when the climber stumbles or falls, or simply realizes there is more to life than can be physically sensed, one begins to acquaint itself with the lower half being the tail representing the world of the fish - the mystical, irrational and unconscious inner realm ... when Capricorn gets spiritual it does so with the same practical efficiency that it deals with the material world ... and ultimately one comes to the realization how useful an awareness of the reality of invisible forces ( thoughts, feelings, the imagination) is, and that the roots and foundations - on which everything is actually built - are usually out of ones sight !!!

Capricorn is old when it is young and gets younger as it ages ... this is due to Saturn's ruler ship of this sign which places great burden and "weight" on young Capricorns shoulders continually driving one to work, and even when a goal has been reached Saturn still says one can do even better!!! ... as a child of Saturn, Capricorn always needs something to improve and perfect !!! ... the energy of the Sun in Capricorn can potentially be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: materially aware, responsible, efficient, orderly, ambitious, an organizer, industrious, takes the reins, reserved at times, patient, thoughtful, deep understanding, resourceful, canny, persevering, disciplined, earthy, senses others' needs, employs others solid

NEGATIVE: status slave, unscrupulous, ingratiating, wet blanket, cold, calculating, slave to self, dictatorial, inhibited, intolerant, worrisome, inscrutable, tight, suspicious, rigid, austere, opportunist, uses others, hard

It has always seemed ironic to me that the Sun would enter the focused, serious sign of Capricorn only days before what is considered to be the merriest and most joyful holiday of the year ... however, we are constantly reminded by the Universe that there is a time for everything and anything in excess is usually not good ... it is actually helpful to be under this energy as the year comes to a close so that we can seriously reflect on and review where we have been and what we have done this past year, and then start making plans as to what direction we need to be moving in next year to assure personal and spiritual growth continues ... there is prolific potential to begin some major growth in our lives if we put our shoulder to the grindstone, so to speak, and positively use this determined, hardworking energy !!!

The Sun now joins retrograde Mercury and Pluto already in transit through Capricorn ... with all of this heavy duty energy, we have the potential to bring about great change, transformation and deep healing in our lives as well as others and also make sure we are building on very sturdy foundations ... or we can bring great ruin and devastation if we are not attuned to the "light" and what it is trying to "illuminate" in our lives !!!

The Sun remains in Capricorn until January 20th !!!

HAPPY SOLAR RETURN CAPRICORN BORN - IT'S OUR TIME OF YEAR TO TRULY SHINE !!! ... oh yes, and should you happen to cross the path of a wonderful Capricorn individual, be sure to give them a GREAT BIG HUG AND A SMILE - you know we Capricorns need all the hugs and smiles we can get with Saturn often weighing down our souls rather heavily at times !!!  

ONE MORE TIME FOR OLD TIMES SAKE - HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024 ???

MERCURY - began its fourth and final retrograde journey for 2023 on Wednesday, December 13th, at 2:08 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 !!! ... this 20 day Mercury retrograde is a dual sign retrograde going from 8 degrees 29 minutes Capricorn back to 22 degrees 10 minutes of Sagittarius !!!

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 January 1st - back on November 30th at 22 degrees 10 minutes Sagittarius !!!

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 ... should you tie the knot during the retrograde which is now a dual retrograde period with Mars, be sure to have someone note the time you are pronounced a couple and then seek out a reputable astrologer who can run a chart for the "birth time" of the union to see in what area of life these retrograde energies may cause issues .... 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 Capricorn is retrograde in an earth sign ... these retrogrades are mainly focused on practical matters ... Saturn is the planetary co-ruler of this Mercury retrograde ... the other planet is Jupiter !!!

The areas potentially affected with Saturn ruling the retrograde are : form, discipline, responsibility, organization, ambition, limitations and delays ... Saturn governs theories and scientific laws, older persons, depth, patience, timing, tradition, conventionality, productive use of time ... Saturn represents the principles of truth, the solidification of wisdom and of aging ... its action is slow and lasting !!! 

Certainly this retrograde has the potential to affect ones career and/or public image as Saturn rules Capricorn which the natural sign on the 10th house cusp ... 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 !!!

Mercury returns to the sign of Sagittarius, a sign ruled by Jupiter which is also the planet that is the natural ruler of the 9th house, on December 23rd ... areas that may then be given issues to arise in include: the law, religion, science, ideals, higher learning, philosophy, psychological issues, mental studies, our dreams and visions, long distance travel, foreigners, foreign dealings, commerce, big business, imports and exports, spirituality and the church, the clergy, in-laws, grandchildren, intuition, ethics, and lessons we learn through living as sometimes we just have a difficult time being able to perceive the bigger picture ... all above mentioned areas being ruled by the 9th house !!!

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 Capricorn, again ruled by Saturn, there could also be more potential to have health issues with the bones, joints, knees, the skin, the skeletal system including the teeth, left ear and the auditory organs ... in Sagittarius, again ruled by Jupiter, health issues could possibly arise in the areas of the liver, thighs and hips !!!

 

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 or urgent 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 (January 1st).

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 January 1st !!!

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 December 14th and December 31st will definitely have this Mercury retrograde energy in their solar return - birthday chart - for the whole year ahead ... those born on December 13th, 2023 and January 1st, 2024 may or may not get this energy depending on what time you solar return occurs !!!  

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 - which you are probably already having to do with your planetary ruler governing the current Mars retrograde - and review and reexamine what is going on in your life especially since the last Mercury retrograde ended back on September 15th !!!

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 August 23rd through September 15th ...  actions taken during previous retrograde periods could come back to haunt us as well - for 2023 that would include April 23rd through May 14th and December 29th, 2022 through January 18th, 2023 ... 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 20 days ... again, Mercury remains retrograde until January 1st !!!

 

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 if not already so with the current Mars retrograde, 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 !!!

Once again my fellow beings of light, as this final Mercury Retrograde period of 2023 is now upon us, the ultimate question as always is will we become the constant victim of Cosmic Chaos, become the recipient of great Cosmic Clarity ... or BOTH ???

THE ULTIMATE "TRUTH-SEEKER" ... REMARKABLE RECUPERATIVE POWERS ... GREATER UNDERSTANDING WHAT SEX IS TRULY FOR AND ABOUT !!!

The SUN began its transit through the determined, aggressive, shrewd, secretive sign of Scorpio today, 10/23, at 12:21 PM EDT ... we are now being directed to turn inward to face truths about ourselves and what lies beneath  - "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH" - OR CAN YOU ??? ... this energy can be extremely driven but also highly transforming ... being a water sign, you can bet the emotions will become a constant determining ingredient in many of our actions now as opposed to the mental approach of the air sign of Libra ... this energy needs to shine passionately, through its power and resourcefulness, through seeking recognition for its penetration, and maybe through being in the limelight through a compulsive persistence !!!

Scorpio is rarely passive or neutral about anything ... jealousy, being resentful and vengeance are often expressed through this deep, quite private and reserved energy ... recuperative powers are quite remarkable ... here we have the energy of the truth-seeker who uses keen judgment coupled with penetrating insight which ultimately may empower one to exercise a great deal of authority over others ... science, medicine or any field of investigation could attract one ... willpower and persistence are key factors, and even though one may become rather reticent, when pushed one becomes very outspoken and extremely direct ... Scorpio may forgive but it NEVER forgets !!!



Scorpio is a feminine/fixed/water sign ... it is the 8th sign of the natural zodiac ... its key phrase is "I Desire" and its keyword is "Intensity" ... Scorpio is the sign directly opposite to Taurus in the natural zodiac ... anatomically it rules the genitals - Scorpio born are often susceptible to infections of the urinary system and venereal disease ... in addition the inclination towards volatile emotions is the cause of exhaustion and ill health !!!



Scorpio is the natural ruler of the 8th house whose keyword is "regeneration" ... it is a house of endings ... many things are addressed here such as joint finances, legacies, trusts, wills, taxes, insurance matters, secrets, sex, spiritual and physical regeneration, psychological rebirth, degeneration and death and surgery ... it also shows types of illness !!!



Scorpio is ruled by Pluto - a planet representing destroying or reforming urges and fusion ... its keyword is "transformation" ... it governs things which are hidden from view as well as the masses, subversion, crime, phobias, obsessions, slow growth, birth and death, isolation, coercion, disappearance, bacteria and viruses, plumbing and unpopular causes ... its action is slow and inevitable ... if you've had your natal chart run, where you find Pluto is where you'll find complexity and where you'll have to solve problems on your own and without assistance ... many astrologers would also say that Scorpio is co-ruled by Mars which is considered its ancient ruler as Pluto wasn't discovered until 1930 by Percival Lowell !!!



The Sun is in Scorpio encourages us to become aware of how to live our daily lives productively through pursuing what it is we truly desire ... it is the urge to merge with someone or something else ... it is considered the most powerful sign of the zodiac ... it can usually sense what is going on beneath the surface of most situations ... this ability can make one prone to influence, manipulate, corrupt, purge, harm or heal ... this energy is unchallenged in the ability to bring to the surface the cause of trouble - whether it is heartache, disease, financial problems, etc. ... there is a great understanding as to what sex is for and about ... this energy can easily cause us to get under others skin .. there is also a great intimacy with life itself !!!



The power of Scorpio can appear as a truly magnetic charm making one totally disarming, or it can be downright cruel running over others and striking quite unexpectedly ... there is ability to raise something or someone from the depths or throw them down there ... there are deep and genuine emotions here that are often hidden from the surface ... the greatest gift comes when one is able to let go of the fear and hesitation and allow something or someone in - then there is a magical transformational effect which can lead to great healing !!!



Scorpio likes total involvement, rooting out hidden causes, being persuasive, meaningful work and the untarnished truth ... it dislikes superficial relationships, only scratching the surface, feeling as though someone got one over on them, demeaning tasks and flattering and flattery ... the energy of the Sun in Scorpio can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: intense, loyal, passionate, faith-inspiring, dynamic, regenerating, compelling, magnetic, penetrating insight, scrutinizing, shrewd, resourceful, compassionate, strong and deep, brave, powerful, healing touch, self-sacrificing, intimate


NEGATIVE: obsessive, possessive, fanatical, emotionally draining, coercive, degrading, forces allegiance, seductive, suspicious, cunning, revengeful, self-punishing, cruel, overly rigid view, corrupt, manipulative, jealous, resentful



The Sun now joins Mercury and Mars already in transit through Scorpio ... an abundance of energy driving us inward to fearlessly face what lies BENEATH !!!



HAPPY SOLAR RETURN ALL SCORPIO BORN !!! ... the Sun remains in Scorpio until November 22nd !!!

While the Sun transits the sign of Scorpio, be aware that power comes through YOU: hate, and power kills ... love, and power heals ... the greatest strength here is forgiving weakness ... if you look deeply enough into someone or something you may ultimately find yourself and discover your personal power ... then reaching the point where you are no longer after something, you may suddenly realize what it is you are truly after !!!

Over  the next 30 days we all have the universal power placed in our hands to produce transformation, change, rebirth and healing in our lives as well as others ... or will we sink to the level of vengeance, cruelty, destruction and ruin ??? 

BECOMING A SUPER SLEUTH DETERMINED TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THINGS AND FERRET OUT INFORMATION AND HIDDEN MOTIVES !!!

    

MERCURY began its transit through the dark, brooding sign of Scorpio today, October 22nd, at 2:49 AM EDT ... Mercury was last in and out of Scorpio from October 29th - November 16th, 2022 !!!



Mercury in Scorpio now being in a fixed sign is intense, probing and filled with boundless determination ... this is the placement of the natural born detective always wanting to get to the bottom of things and ferret out information and hidden motives ... it loves tuning into underlying messages ... communication is usually done very passionately and intensely ... a lot of messages are delivered non verbally ... intimate bonds are frequently formed through ones communications ... superficiality is not tolerated ... what is spoken emanates from the depth of ones psyche !!! 



One often thinks about secrecy and silence and sometimes withholds information on purpose ... though the mind is usually thorough and organized, it can be easily swayed by powerful emotions and obsessions ... one seeks the underlying root causes here and is usually unyielding in their quest for information ... detective work might appeal to one here along with anything that looks beneath the surface such as psychotherapy, archaeology and, of course, the occult !!!



Mercury in Scorpio can make one critical, skeptical, secretive and suspicious ... opinions are set and difficult to change ... one can also be shrewd, forceful and given to being very incisive through speech or writings ... sometimes one can needlessly wound others and also come across as being rather nosey and invasive ... this position of Mercury is good for the healing professions, chemistry, photography, research and big business ... ones mentality can become so deep and fixed it can overcome any and all obstacles to get what it wants ... one must learn here to avoid using others weaknesses for ones own personal advantage and passing judgment on those less fortunate than ones self !!!



Mercury transiting through Scorpio teaches us all about how our thinking is influenced by what we desire ... it is the super sleuth of the zodiac ... what you desire and what you fear are tightly entangled in your mind ... this mind sees through people and situations ... this mentality rarely misses anything ... a warning here would be not to fall into the trap of being suspicious of malice of intent when it does not exist ... sometimes this energy can create intrigue just to keep the mind on its toes !!!



This mind is basically sharp and efficient knowing that there is always something that needs looking into thus constantly exercising the mental muscle ... the sign of real mental power and superiority here is learning when to leave well enough alone which is usually understood here ... insight is sharpened with the ability to watch and wait silently which this energy bestows ... others can often benefit greatly from the penetrating insight found here ... one is happiest here when not overcome by personal fears and phobias as they end up clouding ones judgment ... this energy likes brain-teasers, mental control and intrigues ... it dislikes mental inactivity, weak-mindedness, lack of subtlety and mincing words ... the energy of Mercury of Scorpio can be expressed in the following ways:


POSITIVE: sharp, incisive, subtle, satirical, perceptive, penetrating mind, stealthy, audacious, accurate, investigative, emphatic, determined, good concentration, quick-minded, profound, confiding, insightful, strategic

NEGATIVE: cutting, acidic, sneaky, sarcastic, suspicious, paranoid, intrusive, abusive, uncharitable, grilling, overstated, argumentative, mentally tense, presumptuous, meddlesome, incomprehensible, secretive, devious, scheming



One should use the energy of this mental and communicative ability to leave no stone unturned through boundless determination in order to find what they are really after which ultimately is - ONES SELF !!!

Mercury now joins Mars already in transit through Scorpio soon to be joined by the Sun tomorrow, October 23rd ... Mercury remains in Scorpio until November 2nd !!!

This is technically the last full sign transit before Mercury takes its fourth and final retrograde journey for 2023 which occurs from December 13th, 2023 through January 2nd, 2024 going from 8 degrees 29 minutes Capricorn back to 22 degrees 10 minutes Sagittarius ... Mercury will actually exit the sign of Sagittarius on December 1st, but due to retrograde motion will return to the sign of Sagittarius on December 23rd for the final part of its next retrograde journey ... Mercury enters its next shadow point on November 25th when it reaches 22 degrees 10 minutes Sagittarius !!!

For now, it is an excellent time for a good mystery, to dig down and uncover the true facts, and for each one of us to take a crack at being a super sleuth !!!

In the end, we may find that what we uncover proves to be something much more than simply being "elementary my dear Watson" as we ultimately may discover - WHAT LIES BENEATH !!!

THE SPIRITUAL WARRIOR ??? ... EXTREMELY DRIVEN WITH GREAT ENDURANCE, STRONG DESIRES AND INTENSE COMPULSIONS !!!

MARS - planet of initiative, courage, sexual drive, raw energy, as well as selfishness, abuse and even violence at its worst - blazed its way into and began its intense and extremely intimate transit through the "wicked", driven, probing sign of Scorpio today, October 12th, at 12:04 AM EDT ... when Mars transits through the sign of Scorpio one thing can be said for sure - LOOK OUT !!! ... Fire (Mars) and Water (Scorpio) usually end up producing STEAM - but whether or not that will be irritating and uncomfortable or deliciously sensual steam depends on the situation you become involved in  ... how many of you will find yourselves beginning to become really fired up and driven about pursuing something and/or someone as the days and weeks progress - and months in the particular case of this transit of Mars - feeling intense and full of energy, rather irritated about something or just plain extra horny - more so than usual in some cases ... hmmm ??? ... Mars was last in Scorpio from October 30th through December 13th, 2021 ...  anything come to mind from that period in your life in regards to that transit of Mars ???

Mars is the "ancient" ruler of Scorpio ... after all, Pluto, the current ruler and also referred to as co-ruler, was not discovered until 1930 ... so this can be a very beneficial placement, even though it has the potential to lose some of its punch in a water sign, as Mars is very comfortable in this sign ... in fact many astrologers would agree that Mars is "dignified" in the sign of Scorpio !!! .... it can get an enormous amount accomplished, but how it is done becomes the question - productively or destructively ???

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

Mars remains in Scorpio until November 24th ... Scorpio born individuals, this is a period where you become even more energized while Mars is in your birth sign - just be careful not to "incinerate" or steam roll over others with this extra boost you receive !!! ... Aries born, you may find a highly compulsive drive during the same time period to dig deep down and solve the "mystery" of some situation or person that has become the object of your desire !!!

Mars is currently transiting through Scorpio all by itself, but given its power and the state of affairs in the world at present, that might be just enough for now ... but ALWAYS remember, there is never just one planet and its energy in play at a time ... there are multiple planetary energies interacting with one another at any given time, and the results can be either very beneficial or downright challenging and in some cases highly disastrous !!!



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

WHAT IS SEEKING AND WILL SURFACE TO "THE LIGHT OF DAY" - FOR GOOD OR CHALLENGING IN ALL OUR LIVES ???

 

PLUTO - associated with death, rebirth, transformation, change, upheaval, healing and renewal - completes its retrograde journey for 2023 today, October 10th, at 9:10 PM EDT ... Pluto has been in retrograde motion since May 1st going from 0 degrees 21 minutes Aquarius back to 27 degrees 53 minutes Capricorn and there undoubtedly has been a lot of reexamination on many levels of changes both we as individuals and as a society have been involved in !!!

Now that Pluto is stationing back into direct motion, things could start to surface that we may have been seeking information about ... secrets will surely begin to be exposed and those involved will most likely be brought into public awareness even if they did not want their questionable actions to see the light of day !!! ... during the retrograde period we have all been trying to understand how we individually impact the Earth and other people as well ... Pluto is about to finally complete its transit through the sign of Capricorn on December 20th, 2025, but it will just dip into Aquarius once again ere it takes its next retrograde journey and returns to the 29th degree of Capricorn, on September 1st/2nd, 2024 depending on which time zone in which you live, for some last minute business  ... there are definitely going to continue to be issues arising concerning big business, the economy, the land and governmental policy changes that affect everyone !!!




Pluto tends to expose the "dark side" of things and bring it into the light even when it is not what some would like ... we are  currently witnessing what could be referred to as the shakedown of governmental lawbreakers as well as intense scrutiny of the very process of the way the government is functioning - or not !!! ... also people are empowering themselves to make authority serve the true needs of all people and the planet as well !!!

There are two groups of people that are most likely feeling the effects of this powerful shift even though we all will on some level in our lives ... Scorpio born individuals, this is your ruling planet so now it's time to come out of your period of review and reflection which began around May 1st and start implementing changes or be prepared for change and transformation !!!



My fellow Capricorn individuals, we are going through massive personal change, upheaval, transformation and even healing and "rebirth" as this energy is making an added impact for us since Pluto is moving through our birth sign, the transit actually beginning in January of 2008, and will not complete its full transit through our sign until 2025 due to its lengthy retrograde journeys and slow movement - after all it takes about 248 years to complete one journey around the zodiac !!!



In fact during this transit my fellow Capricorns, Pluto has either crossed over or will be crossing over, or be conjunct as we refer to it, at some point your natal Capricorn Sun placement at birth with the potential to bring vast sweeping changes to your life - it has been scrubbing back and forth over my natal 27 degree Capricorn Sun since August 21st, 2021 and won't be through until the end of October this year and I am more than ready for it to move on ... and I had just finished experiencing an 18 year long transit of Pluto transiting through my 1st house as well from 2000 through 2018 - I could write a book !!! ... it is very important that you do something NOW during this transit in order to move forward productively on your path in life ... the changes may be difficult and challenging but should not be feared as they are necessary and will bring about the birth of something new in your life that will be beautiful and remarkable !!!



For those of you who have had a natal chart done and know in which house 27 degrees 53 minutes Capricorn falls, you most likely will feel some kind of power shift or impact in that area of your life from Pluto stationing back into direct motion ... in fact, it's intensity has really been building since roughly September 20th when Pluto reentered the 27 degree area where it would eventually station direct today !!!



Pluto remains in direct motion until May 2nd, 2024 when it begins its next retrograde journey at 2 degrees 6 minutes Aquarius ... Pluto re-enters the sign of Aquarius once again on January 20th, 2024 !!!



We all should now be prepared for an outward upheaval, tearing down, death - not necessarily always physical, rebirth, transformation, change and even the potential for deep healing somewhere in our lives and/or within society - understanding not only that this process is absolutely necessary for personal as well as spiritual growth, but more importantly we should always be prepared to expect the  unexpected !!!

Now that Pluto has completed its retrograde journey for 2023 and begins its forward motion, things may truly once again, if they haven't already, begin to SHAKE ... RATTLE ... AND ROLL !!! 

EXACTING, DISCRIMINATING AND/OR CRITICAL AND DEMANDING WHEN RELATING TO OTHER PEOPLE !!!

   

VENUS - which exited its retrograde zone yesterday, October 7th, when it returned to 28 degrees 36 minutes Leo where it began its retrograde journey for 2023 back on July 22nd - finally completes its transit through Leo which began back on June 5th and begins its transit through the picky, detailed oriented sign of Virgo today, October 8th, at 9:11 PM EDT ... Venus was last in Virgo from September 5th through September 29th, 2022 ... Venus in Virgo is considered to be in its "fall" and therefore its effectiveness can be greatly challenged ... being in its "fall", Venus is opposite the sign where it is exalted in which is Pisces ... it does not work all that efficiently because this position makes it difficult to express its true nature ... a planet in "fall" is like having to stay in someone else's home where you do not really feel all that comfortable !!!

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



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



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


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


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



Venus is the natural ruling planet of Libra and Taurus, and as such, love, partnerships/relationships, personal values and how we earn and spend our money will be thoroughly examined under the cosmic microscope while Venus is in the precision, detail oriented sign of Virgo which is naturally ruled by Mercury !!!



Venus is currently transiting through the sign of Virgo all by itself  ... Venus remains in Virgo until November 8th !!!

Virgo born, don't forget the "love light" is now shining on YOU - play it right and you might just get what you want if you DON'T over analyze and obsess over it too much !!! 

For all of us it would be very wise not to let the object of our affections become the "target" of our affections while we are all being encouraged by the Universe to be out there "looking for the perfect AHHHHHH" !!!  

HOW FLUENT ARE YOU IN SPEAKING AND COMMUNICATING THROUGH THE COSMIC "LANGUAGE" OF LOVE ???

MERCURY  began its transit through the, social, charming, persuasive sign of Libra yesterday, October 4th, at 8:09 PM EDT ... Mercury was last in Libra from August 25th through October 29th, 2022 - a longer than normal transit due to a retrograde period ... that will not be the case again this year !!! ... harsh words and intimidating comments are seldom or very hesitatingly spoken while Mercury moves through this sign - after all, Libra is ruled by Venus which tends to soften and sweeten things while adding charm ... in many ways this can be considered as the cosmic energy expressing the "language" of love !!!

Mercury in Libra produces a mindset that is usually concerned with human relations and psychology and produces a mindset towards balance where both sides of the issue are considered ... it gives an intense curiosity about the thinking and behavior patterns of others - it is very focused on one particular aspect of the mental and emotional plane and that is one-to-one relationships ... good communications and happiness in relationships are essential here ... there is a strong sense of justice which tends to make one very honest in their communications ... communications are generally made in a diplomatic, elegant and balanced manner ... feedback from others is a must in order to clarify your opinions ... mentally striving to support your heartfelt principles is often what inspires others with this energy !!!



Mercury in Libra likes to consider all sides of an issue before making a final decision - the trap here is that Mercury, finding it difficult to explore any single idea without devoting equal time and energy to the opposite viewpoint and thus becoming distracted by too many facts, may yield indecisiveness which results in the inability to act on an issue thus getting lost ... Mercury in Libra also gives an interest to the law and the arts ... it bestows one with charm and diplomacy and gives the ability to communicate adeptly, elegantly, impartially and tactfully ... this energy produces natural born mediators and one who has truly mastered the art of whispering sweet nothings into your ear !!!



Mercury in Libra encourages us to think and communicate through relating to others, and underlying much of this thinking is a desire for agreement ... it likes an honest reputation, refined minds, good manners, moral justice and likes to learn through interaction with others ... it does not like being underestimated, having no one to talk with, and mob mentality ... as always there are two different kinds of uses with any energy ... as for Mercury in Libra they are:


POSITIVE: agreeable, flexible, diplomatic, prudent, persuasive, charming, well-spoken, communicative, hardworking, disciplined, scholarly, orderly, eclectic, fair judge, good arbitrator, reasonable, team-spirited, principled, honorable, open-minded ...


NEGATIVE: weak-minded, non-committal, turncoat, smooth-talking, insincere, affected, rat-racer, blindly obedient, unoriginal, indecisive, cowardly, phony, boring, illogical, easily swayed, overly sensitive, flighty, superficial ...



Mercury now joins the Sun and Mars currently transiting through the sign of Libra ... Mercury has one more retrograde period to go for 2023 which begins on December 13th ... Mercury remains in Libra until October 22nd !!!

For all of us this becomes a period of time when we have the ability to learn to speak more graciously and gently through our communications ... and to that end the Universe encourages each one of us to realize -

THE KEY TO MANIFESTING POSITIVE PERSONAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH IN LIFE IS TO SPEAK KINDLY AND THINK GOOD THOUGHTS !!! 

BRINGING ONES PARTNERSHIPS/RELATIONSHIPS BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INTO BALANCE, PEACE AND HARMONY !!!

The SUN began its transit through the charming, social but sometimes indecisive sign of Libra today, September 23rd, at 2:50 AM EDT   ... also known as the Autumnal Equinox - equal day and equal night - Summer 2023 is officially OVER !!!, at least in the Northern hemisphere (Spring or Vernal Equinox in the Southern hemisphere) - onward to colder weather, maybe - YEAH !!! ... OK, do I hear a few BOOS out there ??? 

The Sun is considered to be in its fall in the sign of Libra as this is the sign that is opposite to the one where it is considered to be in exaltation which is Aries !!! ... a planet in "fall" can have difficulty expressing its true nature ... it is said if a planet is in its fall, you are staying in someone else's home where you do not really feel comfortable !!!

The Sun in Libra encourages us to shine through cooperation, diplomacy, competition - one on one, and through aesthetic channels ... Libra is all about bringing things into balance and sometimes the desire to do so can create a situation where one continually bounces back and forth trying to come to a decision accidentally causing indecision or frustration instead !!!

Libra is the 7th sign of the natural zodiac ... it is a masculine, mutable (flexible/changeable), air sign ... its key phrase is "I balance" and its keyword is "Harmony" ... Libra is active, artistic, easygoing, peaceable, admires beauty and harmony, diplomatic, polished and extremely socially inclined ... its symbol is the scales which signifies balance, equilibrium, order and justice ... it is the sign opposite of Aries in the horoscope ... anatomically, Libra rules the lower back and the buttocks, and the kidneys ... natural born Libras are often subject to lower back strain and problems in the lumbar region as well as being subjected to kidney infections !!!

Libra is ruled by the planet Venus - makes sense doesn't it ??? - which is the second sign Venus naturally rules, the other being Taurus  ... Venus represents the social urge as well as sense of values ... Venus rules the throat, chin, cheeks and sense of taste ... Venus is all about relating - not sexually though - as well as being about people, art, emotions, marriage, luxury, possessions, pleasure and appreciation ... its keyword is "AFFECTION" ... if you've had a natal chart run, where you find Venus shows what you truly "love" and enjoy !!!

Venus naturally rules the 2nd house - a house of personal values, substance, earning power, inner talents and resources, need for fulfillment, emotional feelings, sense of self-worth, and a house of personal liberty and material debt ... Venus also naturally rules the 7th house - a house of face-to-face relationships and cooperation - or lack thereof, business and marital partnerships/relationships, divorce, contracts, lawsuits, dealings with the public, open enemies, a house showing what you most lack about yourself, and a house representing your grandparents and anyone who acts as your agent or on your behalf !!!

The Sun transiting through Libra encourages us to learn to live and grow through the way we relate - restoring balance or at least trying to do so ... it likes pleasant surroundings, peace and justice, a partner/companion, being gentle and kind, and anything artistic ... it is important to realize under this energy that areas where there is conflict, disharmony or injustice is where the art of Libra energy is greatly needed and ultimately appreciated ... the energy of the Sun in Libra can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: aesthetic, graceful, peaceful, calm, socially oriented, popular, co-operative, amenable, attractive, refined, subtle manner, high principles, idealistic, socially aspiring and aware, diplomatic, harmless, friendly, a good counselor

NEGATIVE: affected, superficial, non-committal, lazy, lacking self-reliance, indulgent, insincere, vain, easily upset, lacking confidence, compromising, peace at any price, elitist, class-conscious, indecisive, ingratiating, discordant

HAPPY SOLAR RETURN ALL LIBRA BORN - THIS IS YOUR TIME OF THE YEAR TO SHINE - especially now since your ruling planet has concluded its retrograde journey which occurred from July 22nd through September 3rd !!!



One of the key roles of Libra is to engage in social activities that blend the rough with the smooth ... one must learn that sensitivity requires both spiritual strength as well as awareness ... ones outward poise will remain intact as long as one learns to be subordinate to ones inner sense of values !!!

The Sun now joins Mars, currently in transit through Libra !!! ... The Sun remains in Libra until October 23rd  ... now would be an excellent time to make use of bringing ones partnerships/relationships both public and private into balance and harmony by making sure their foundations are solid especially after recently going through both a Venus and Mercury retrograde recently !!!




Ultimately, during this solar cycle, it would be an excellent idea to take the lyrical advice of Stephen Stills and - "love the one(s) you're with" !!!

OH RAPTURE ... OH JOY ... FINALLY BEGINNING TO GET UNSTUCK AND MOVE FORWARD ... SORT OF !!!

   

MERCURY completed its third retrograde journey for 2023 on Friday, September 15th, and stationed  back into direct motion at 4:21 PM EDT at 8 degrees of Virgo - once again, do I hear a BIG SIGH OF RELIEF ??? ... what revelations have you had or will have, either positive or challenging in regards to what you may have done while Mercury has been "scrubbing" over those degrees - 21 degrees 51 minutes Virgo back to 8 Virgo - forwards, then backwards and now forward again as it crosses back over them moving to exit its retrograde zone ... in which house or houses do these degrees fall in your natal chart giving you a clue as to what area of your life this retrograde may have affected you ???

Hopefully, some of the disorientation, confusion, frustration and outright irritation along with the sudden and unexpected issues that may have been produced by this Mercury retrograde will now begin to clear and subside as it becomes time to move forward cautiously into the swing of things on all levels !!!

Did any issues and complications or questioning arise in regards to things done during the last retrograde period from April 21st through May 15th ??? ... or maybe as far back as December 29, 2022 through January 18th, 2023 ??? ... and it's a sure bet that as Mercury moves forward once again crossing back over the degrees it covered during this retrograde period, issues may begin to arise meaning things begun and actions taken are certainly subject to potential review and revision - a never ending universal process but all for a good reason !!!




Mercury retrograde periods, even though annoying and extremely frustrating at times, are actually a very beneficial thing, especially for those who were strong and fearless enough to dig deep down, as we need to validate, or in some cases invalidate, actions and situations gone awry and deal with them in order to finally release them to produce a calmer, positive and more productive state of mind thus allowing us to move forward to bring about greater personal and spiritual growth !!! ... again, if you've had a natal chart done, you should look to see in which house or houses containing 21 DEGREES 51 MINUTES VIRGO back to 8 DEGREES VIRGO fall to determine what issues you may have had to deal with in the areas of life governed by those houses ??? ... how many of you went with the flow and how many of you tried to swim upstream in the raging current of Cosmic confusion ???



Of course the recurring question we may find ourselves asking now that Mercury is back in direct motion is "WHY" ??????? ...What actions did you take yourself or have taken against you that you or the other person may now be regretting ... or you may be simply wondering why you chose to do what you did or why you were the victim of a particular course of action from other(s), and why didn't you or the other person wait a little longer ...  or perhaps you are simply now trying to figure out why it even happened ???

Relationships may have come to an end - some needed to and others may have jumped the gun and you are now wondering, or will be, why did I do that or end things during this period ...  how many of you had relationship issues surface or resurface - extremely likely in a Mercury retrograde - that you thought surely had been resolved or didn't even realize existed ???  ... how many of you began new actions within a relationship, personal or professional without waiting for the retrograde period to conclude ??? ... AND ... how many of you got married ??? 




Did anyone make any major purchases - homes, cars, electronics - that now don't seem like the best thought out course of action or that you are beginning to regret or will do so in the days ahead  ... there could be problems regarding any purchases made especially with anything where electrical energy and/or computers were involved ... all of these scenarios are possible as the energy of a Mercury retrograde is one where communications and mental energy is going "backwards" and rational decision making isn't always so sharp !!!




So now that the mental processing facilities are no longer going backwards - at least for most of us if you know what I mean - in regard to Mercury and its functions, it's time to finally RELEASE these emotional holds and allow ourselves to move forward with our lives ... let go of what is best left in the past so you can achieve greater personal and spiritual growth !!!

Mercury retrograding in Virgo could certainly have given rise to issues regarding daily work and service, health and nutrition, and possibly family issues ... as Virgo rules the intestinal area in the body, there could easily have been issues there as well in addition to other health issues in general that might have arisen as Mercury naturally rules the 6th house which includes health and nutrition !!!

As Mercury retrogrades in Virgo, Mercury in Virgo already "slows" down the mental process with Virgo being an Earth sign, and adding retrograde energy to it can just complicates matters where there is already the tendency to over analyze everything down to the last detail !!!! ... As Virgo is the natural ruler of the 6th house of the horoscope, one might also have encountered issues regarding employment, employees, tenants, servants, pets, dependents, service given to others, routine matters, your clothes and how you wear them, hygiene, interest in food and ones diet, sickness and all conditions affecting your health ... the 6th house also relates to ones aunts and uncles, self-adjustments and ones unconscious mind ... it is important to note that in the 6th house, work and health are linked together !!! 

Gemini and Virgo born, yet another period of review and reflection for you has come to an end

especially in regards to actions taken since May 15th when Mercury last stationed back into direct motion ... how have you been enlightened and how was your life affected by having your ruling planet Mercury retrograde ... your ruling planet now resumes forward motion and much to your delight so will you - even though you were probably trying to do it during the actual retrograde ... right, of course right - in fact many of us were doing the same thing !!!

Those of you born between August 24th and September 14th definitely got Mercury retrograde energy in your birthday (solar return) chart for the whole year ahead ... those born on August 23rd and September 15th may or may not have gotten this backward energy depending on the time of your solar return this year ... some of you got both Mercury and Venus retrograde in your solar return chart if you had birthdays from August 23rd and September 3rd ... below is a repeat explanation of what it means to have Mercury Retrograde for the whole year in your birthday chart:



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



"A Solar Return is the time every year that the Sun returns to the same degrees and minutes it was at when you were born - all the more reason to know your birth time now isn't it, hmmmmm????? ... a new chart is run for you at the time your solar return occurs in that given year and it is run for wherever you are at the precise time of your solar return ... this produces a new horoscope chart which shows what energy you may or may not run into for the year ahead - that is from the current birthday until next years birthday ... its energy can be felt from one to three months out before the actual solar return occurs .... often people will relocate for the return time in order to get a particular energy in their solar return chart !!!



Mercury is usually retrograde in a solar return chart every six years ... during this time it's best to be introspective ... you should be learning and thinking on your own rather than depending on others ... the mind is like an overstuffed drawer seriously in need of re-filing and reorganization ... in other words the time has come to "process" !!!



The mental processes are not very receptive to new information at this time ... it's time to go back and re-examine and review things in your life which may have been started but not carried through to fruition or maybe interrupted and suddenly abandoned for some reason ... by focusing inward you might be able to see that your own opinions, thoughts and decisions work best for you rather than those made by others ... at the same time be very receptive to the feedback others are giving you especially if you have missed the mark in regard to some endeavor !!!




Another side effect of this energy is secretiveness where you decide to withhold information or sometimes outright lie ... and why ??? .. because you have secrets that need to be kept or else were you to express your opinions and thoughts outwardly it could cause tension in your relationships ... have plenty of ice cream around to soothe the tongue you are most likely going to have to bite frequently this year !!!



This is a great year to keep a journal and put your thoughts down on paper and also to write original material ... sometimes you can see things differently when thoughts and ideas are written down which is a very helpful way to get organized ... this is a year where you will probably realize old opinions and beliefs are now outdated thus encouraging you to reassess your thinking, reformulate previously developed ideas, and shed new light on something on some level of your life that needs to be addressed !!!



It doesn't really have to be a bad year ... done wisely, fast forwarding to the past and clearing out the "clutter", you can propel yourself further ahead in life than you originally may have thought !!! "

Mercury now moves forward to conclude its full transit through Virgo which began back on July 28th and will end on October 4th/5th depending on which time zone in which you live ... Mercury will exit its retrograde zone on September 30th when it returns to 21 degrees 51 minutes Virgo the point where it began this retrograde period !!!

Just a reminder of what the energy of Mercury in Virgo is all about should you need a "refresher" :

Mercury in Virgo produces a more rational and efficient way of thinking and communicating sometimes to a fault  ... and even though Virgo is an Earth sign which is somewhat prone to slower movement,  Mercury is dignified in this position, very happy and very much at home here and functions well as this is one of the two signs it naturally rules - the other being Gemini ... Mercury was last in Virgo from August 4th, 2022 to begin with and then from September 23rd through October 10th, 2022 due to a retrograde period  !!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mercury remains in direct motion until December 13th when it begins its final retrograde journey for 2023 lasting until January 2nd, 2024 which will be a dual sign retrograde going from 8 DEGREES 29 MINUTES CAPRICORN back to 22 DEGREES 10 MINUTES SAGITTARIUS ... Mercury enters its next shadow point on November 25th when it reaches 22 degrees 10 minutes Sagittarius ... and yes we still have 5 other planets currently retrograde - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto !!!

But for now, try to begin moving forward and try to find ways to be grateful and thankful for all that you are blessed with even though there may be some difficult challenges occurring as well ... the Universe never lets us have anything "perfect" or "for free" because we are supposed to be in a constant state of enlightenment and illumination promoting personal and spiritual growth !!!