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 ???