THE MELDING OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY THAT IS MADE STRONGER THROUGH ENERGY AND PASSION !!!

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 4:21 AM 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 ... this ie especially true this time around with a Mars retrograde currently in progress !!! ... 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 is now in transit through Capricorn all by itself particularly as Pluto FINALLY moved on to the sign of Aquarius after 16 years ... but still 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 19th, 2025 !!!

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, fabulous 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 !!!

MERCURY DIRECT - PROCEED WITH CAUTION !!!

    

MERCURY completed its fourth and final retrograde journey for 2024 on Sunday, December 15th, at 3:56 PM EST - once again, do I hear a BIG SIGH OF RELIEF or a smaller one - especially since there is still a Mars retrograde currently in progress ??? ... I heard from many people this retrograde was particularly irritating and challenging ... 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 these degrees - 22 degrees 40 minutes Sagittarius back to 6 degrees 23 minutes Sagittarius - forwards, then backwards and now forward again as it crosses back over them ... 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 especially with Mars currently in retrograde motion until February 23rd, 2025 !!!

Did any issues and complications or questioning arise in regards to things done during the last retrograde period from August 5th through August 28th ??? ... or maybe as far back as April 1st through April 25th ... or even December 13th, 2023 through January 2nd, 2024 ??? ... 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 22 DEGREES 40 MINUTES BACK TO 6 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 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 especially as the last ten days of this retrograde were imbedded in the first ten days of the current Mars retrograde ???



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 Sagittarius, a fire sign, tends to produce the focus of trying to determine how ones inspiration can help create ones future ... often there are miscalculated attempts at trying to start something that will improve ones life overall ... creativity and how we use it to responds to life's situations will be emphasized ... we will be encouraged to learn to relax and enjoy the pleasures and situations of life that help shape our future direction !!!

Mercury retrograding in Sagittarius is in a sign ruled by Jupiter which is also the planet that is the natural ruler of the 9th house ... areas that may have seen issues arise in included: 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 !!!

Other areas that may have had the potential to have issues to arise include wealth, leisure time, big business, the higher mind, optimism, height, growth, morality, property, indulgence, aspirations, vision, sports, luck, hunting and fondness for animals - all areas ruled by Jupiter !!!

In regards to overall health, remember Mercury is the natural planetary ruler of the 6th house which rules health, so there could have been more chances to have health issues in general during the Mercury retrograde ... in Sagittarius, again ruled by Jupiter, health issues also could possibly have arisen 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 ... did anyone have elective surgery done that now may seem like not the best decision to do with the chance one might have to go back in some cases and have work done again ???

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 August 28th 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 November 26th and December 14th definitely got Mercury retrograde energy in their birthday (solar return) chart for the whole year ahead ... those born on November 25th and December 15th may or may not have gotten this backward energy depending on the time of your solar return ... 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 exit its retrograde zone which will occur on January 2nd, 2025, and complete its transit through the sign of Sagittarius ... below is a repeat explanation of what this energy is all about should you now need a refresher course so to speak !!!

MERCURY began its extended transit through the philosophical, visionary, idealistic, inspirational sign of Sagittarius on November 2nd, at 3:18 PM EDT ... Mercury was last in Sagittarius from November 9th/10th through December 1st, 2023 !!!



Mercury in Sagittarius is in a sign opposite to one of the signs it naturally rules - that being Gemini - and is therefore said to be in "detriment" ... it is considered less "visible", appearing to not operate at its usual full power, but not less effective though ... it is visiting a sign where it must conform to rules and regulations that it wouldn't normally have to do in certain other signs !!!



This Mercurial energy learns by gaining an overview of the Big Picture ... it wants to know EVERYTHING !!! ... it can use way too many words and use great hand gestures sometimes knocking things over, and talk much too loudly at times !!!



But for all its challenges, this Mercury can be quite funny, bluntly honest, and entertain so well that you might find it appealing ... here we have a sincere energy with a great sense of humor ... sometimes things are blurted out without considering the consequences ... there can be highly intuitive flashes of truth ... there is also such an overabundance of varied interests that one can scatter their mental forces too thinly ... here the mind does not need sharpening, only good direction ... generous, progressive and honest, this Mercury does not like deception on any level !!!

Mercury in Sagittarius can produce great interest in higher education, philosophy and religion ... intellectual status is admired and one could become a non-stop talker ... there is a love of travel of any kind found here - foreign places, cultures and people can inspire ones mindset ... the mental approach is broad and quick ... communication is made enthusiastically, openly and optimistically ... the desire to be direct, truthful, generous and broad-minded aids in connections with other people ... thinking and reasoning are usually influenced by long-term goals rather than specific or short-term desires and needs !!!

Honesty is usually a major focus with this energy ... one is likely to be quite articulate and gregarious ... there can be a tendency to leap to conclusions, overgeneralize and possibly over exaggerate ... one can inspire others through their ideas ... there is a natural inclination to learn and to teach other people what one knows ... there could also be an interest in writing or the law as well !!!



Mercury in Sagittarius teaches us to learn to think and communicate through what it is we are SEEKING ... its the eternal student ... the mindset is broad and active and capable of cultivating itself and being aware of a variety of life's aspects ... there needs to be a focus here otherwise the knowledge and experience can yield a personal philosophy that is merely a scattered collection of ideas and thoughts that are disconnected ... here we have a seeking mind that is looking for the meaning of life and how we are a part of that !!!

One usually speaks their mind yielding a refreshing clearing of the air in order for one to see where they stand with others, and where others stand with you and themselves ... getting things off ones chest is important with this energy - left unsaid it could lead to difficulty with communications and evening with breathing !!! ... here is a mind filled with wonder at all this world has to offer - everything is there for the finding ... mental freedom, a good hot debate, laughing and joking, great thoughts and the promises of life are liked ... not so well liked are an overabundance of ideas, long sad faces, small minded people and those who are wet blankets ... the energy of Mercury in Sagittarius can be expressed in the following ways :

POSITIVE: frank, sincere, open-minded, speaks ones mind, versatile mind, speculative, intuitive, noble-thinking, thinks big, learned, clever, far-sighted, philosophical, fair judge, sees truth, enthusiastic, cultured, eclectic, informed, well-connected

NEGATIVE: indiscreet, irreverent, overly talkative, scattered mind, irrelevant, illogical, poor concentration, overly-grand ideas, too academic, impractical, short-sighted, sermonizing, opinionated, self righteous, trendy, conceited, pompous

Mercury now joins the Sun currently transiting through Sagittarius ... Mercury remains in Sagittarius until January 8th, 2025 !!!

Sagittarius born, we anxiously await all of the scathingly brilliant ideas you are going to come up with while Mercury transits your birth sign during this extended period !!! ... however, we all may come up with some as well - and they may have to be reconsidered and revised !!! 

During this time, each of us has the potential to enhance our native born intelligence with formal training if we choose ... we should look AND listen ... gear your thoughts to an end that is lasting or even a cause that will inspire and enlighten others, and to what is the ultimate truth one can learn while Mercury transits through Sagittarius !!!

For now, by opening your mind you will surely come to understand one very important fact of life -

KNOWLEDGE IS TRULY POWER !!!   

Mercury remains in direct motion until March 14th/15th, 2025 depending on which time zone in which you live, when it will take its first full retrograde for 2025 that lasts until April 7th and occurs from 9 degrees 35 minutes Aries back to 26 degrees 49 minutes Pisces ... Mercury will enter its next shadow point on February 28th/March 1st again depending on which time zone in which you live !!!

LOVE THAT TRULY MARCHES TO THE BEAT OF A DIFFERENT DRUM MAKING IT EXTREMELY UNPREDICTABLE !!!

VENUS began her often "shocking", unpredictable and unconventional transit through the progressive, rebellious sign of Aquarius on Saturday, December 7th at 1:13 AM EST ... this transit of Venus yields the potential to breathe some rather radical new life to any form of love that has become stale, stagnant and/or non-productive - or perhaps it will quickly bring an end to some relationship(s) letting you know in no uncertain terms it is time to MOVE ON !!! ... Venus in Aquarius is a detached yet magnetic love as well as highly unconventional varying greatly from the norm - you will love this Venus for who she is and NOT for what you want her to be or best be a good idea to move on ... keep in mind that under this energy the attraction leading to a relationship and love may arise suddenly and quite unexpectedly and often times end just like that  ... Venus was last in Aquarius from February 16th through March 11th, 2024 !!!

Venus in Aquarius can be extremely unpredictable and her capacity for love truly marches to the beat of a different drum!!! ... it indeed likes being unusual or going against the norm in some form or fashion ... it will often try anything once just for kicks and to be bold and daring ... relationships can be casual, erratic or pursued with openness and tolerance ... affection is expressed experimentally, freely, and unconventionally ... pleasure is derived from being unique and sometimes downright kinky !!! ... the handling of money and possessions can be progressive, intellectual, unpredictable, changeable, or even rebellious - to that end financial security can swing up and just as suddenly and unexpectedly swing down !!! 

Freedom AND friendship is a requirement in love relationships ... trying to tie this Venus down is a big NO-NO - well except when you are, oh wait ... that's a whole other story !!! ... this energy is often viewed as cool and aloof and one can come across as impersonal and detached ... people of a race, creed, or gender that shock others may sometimes become ones object of affection !!!



Venus in Aquarius gives a kind and loving nature ... it makes one helpful, charitable, but NOT an emotional person ... PERSONAL FREEDOM IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE !!! ... in any relationship there must be the ability to explore varied interests and hobbies, meet new people, and enjoy a wide range of friends ... jealousy is not tolerated and overly emotional scenes will usually cause one to walk away ... this energy is more likely to have platonic friendships because sexual involvements are more emotionally binding than is desired here ... immense popularity and an attraction of many lovers is possible but not of the long lasting variety - romantic attractions are usually sudden and unexpected and can end just as suddenly and unexpectedly as they began!!! ... personal magnetism is directed toward larger concerns than mere romance ... if one wants to remain close to someone under this energy, they must allow their romantic or friendship interest freedom in their relationships with others !!!

Venus in Aquarius teaches us how to learn to love through liberation - LOVE MUST BE SET FREE !!! ... there is an open minded and experimental approach to relating and to artistic expression ... it is often difficult for others to see where you are coming from emotionally as ones style can be disconcerting, shocking or just  outright odd !!! ... the ironic twist here is that this energy wants to allow a partner the freedom and space to do as they please, but by giving too much freedom it might actually begin to seem as though the partner doesn't care about you ... the secret though is to learn how to reveal, in a heartfelt way of course, your opinions and questions regarding the freedom of love for the person or persons to whom you feel the closest !!!

Venus  in Aquarius can be socially inventive and creatively innovative ... love and friendship absolutely MUST coexist here!!! ... and while there is certainly the idea that with all this unpredictability and need for freedom that lasting love just might be impossible under this energy, one must remember that Aquarius is a FIXED sign !!! ... the energy one might encounter with Venus in Aquarius may include:

POSITIVE: free-loving, idealistic, easygoing, liberal, original lover, non-possessive, unique, mild, cultured, experimental, progressive, eclectic, sparkling, popular, friendly, tongue-in-cheek, convincing, refined, quietly persevering, humane

NEGATIVE: lacks feelings, naive, indiscriminate, erratic, odd lover, unfeeling, peculiar, touchy, insincere, kinky, superficial, promiscuous, impersonal, flattering, sarcastic, stubborn, manipulative, uncompromising, reactionary

Aquarius born individuals, the Universe is energizing you with luck and opportunity while shining the light of love on you for the next few weeks so keep your eyes and ears and heart open and ask for what you want ... as if you weren't truly different enough, others may realize now just how unique you are, so you just might get it ... Taurus/Libra born, your ruling planet is moving into a new sign - ready to learn some new and possibly highly unusual lessons about LOVE and MONEY - in fact are we all ???



For everyone, Venus in Aquarius has the potential to suddenly and unexpectedly pop our eyes wide open to see and realize there is a different way that may be unique and ahead of its time to understand the process of love and how we approach it as well as how we handle finances !!! 

Venus now joins Pluto already in transit through Aquarius ... right from the start,Venus will be in conjunction to Pluto which has the potential to bring some very deep transformation, change and even healing to our most intimate relationships ... it could also bring about some karmic issues with past relationships and not necessarily from this lifetime !!! ...  it may have the same effect on our financial situations as well ... Venus remains in Aquarius until January 2nd potentially making the Holidays full of surprises and unexpected attractions !!! 

As Aquarius is ruled by the planet Uranus, the planet of the sudden and unexpected, try to enjoy this unusual and open minded energy after wading through the rather "vanilla" flavored energy of Venus in Capricorn - which there is certainly nothing wrong at all with, right my fellow Cappies ??? ... and should someone approach you and say "WHO'S YA DADDY ???", just realize they are being infused with this delightfully twisted energy so go for it and play along - you just might enjoy it - OH SNAP !!!

By all means keep in mind that while Venus transits through Aquarius, and as Aquarius is ruled by the planet Uranus which, among other things, rules Astrology, there is definitely a strong possibility you just might realize there is a "certain" ASTROLOGER out there that you discover you've developed quite a fondness for ... if Astrology be the food of life ... transit on !!!   

INTENSELY CHALLENGED TO DEVELOP PATIENCE, AS WELL AS TO RELEASE RIGIDITY, BEING STUBBORN AND THE URGE TO BE CONTROLLING !!!

MARS - the planet representing the urge to get what you want, sexual drive, initiative, courage, raw energy and desires, enthusiasm, being dynamic, generosity, aggression, being heroic, being self-reliant, boldness, being fearless, being adventuresome - began its RETROGRADE journey for 2024 yesterday, December 6th, at 6:33 PM EST ... many of you may have already felt or witnessed some manifestation of this retrograde energy once Mars entered its shadow point back on October 5th when it reached 17 degrees of Cancer ... this 79 day period will be a dual sign Mars retrograde going from 6 degrees 10 minutes Leo back to 17 degrees Cancer !!!

Mars makes a retrograde journey for about 9 - 10 weeks out of its 26 month cycle ... Mars was last retrograde from October 30th, 2022 through January 12th, 2023 going from 25 degrees 36 minutes Gemini back to 8 degrees 7 minutes Gemini ... Mars was last retrograde, and completely in Leo, from December 20th, 2009 through March 10th, 2010 going from 19 degrees 4 minutes Leo back to 0 degrees 17 minutes Leo ... Mars was last retrograde in Cancer, but only partially, from November 15th, 2007 through December 31st, 2007 beginning at 12 degrees 27 minutes Cancer until it returned to Gemini on December 31st ...anything come to mind from these periods in your life especially in the area of life ruled by the houses in your natal chart where these retrogrades occurred ... and what about this time around - which house or houses are being effected and as a result in what area of your life, per what they rule, could you potentially see the energy quite visibly ???

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

Mars is all about being energetic, active, impulsive, assertive, courageous, expressive, independent, forceful, venturesome, possessive, practical and definitive !!!

Mars retrograde tends to yield the potential to cause the "brakes" to get slammed on in a manner of speaking to this energy ... the universe pulls the plug on all of the energy in play ... and so what happens ??? ... there is a loss of energy which includes physical energy as we may feel somewhat more sluggish, that the energy required to work on goals or actions already being undertaken is suddenly gone, there is a loss of results we are trying to achieve by putting forth effort ... it seems like someone pushed a button and put everything on hold ... it may also seem like life has shifted into slow motion ... during this period we often need more rest and in some cases more sleep ... we may feel like we are in limbo or suspended in mid-air going nowhere ... try to avoid stress as dealing with it won't be very successful especially trying to achieve a solution ... and certainly one of the major factors during a Mars retrograde is having to learn to be patient as those who are usually normally rigid, stubborn and love to be controlling are going to end up getting into trouble and fast !!!

The purpose of a Mars retrograde ultimately is to evaluate what it is that motivates you and for you to determine if you are on the correct path to achieving your goals by doing what you should be doing to get there ... inside a Mars retrograde, it is time for all of us to adjust our actions and aggressive instincts to ensure that ones intent is accomplished in a positive manner... this often includes going back over previous actions and having to redo them or let them go in order to move forward ... also, old resentments and personal issues that haven't been resolved in the past have a tendency of resurfacing during this period yielding the awareness that the time has come to develop new strategies and approaches for dealing with issues, personal anger and whether or not we express it in a healthy manner, and to learn positive assertiveness ... sometimes we prefer to drop back and let others take the lead for awhile even though it is a good bet that we will not be satisfied in the end with that course of action ... also it is possible that a male figure from ones past may come back around that one may need to settle some form of unfinished business with !!!

Frequently Mars retrogrades will bring issues of frustration or hostility to the surface we have deliberately suppressed due to their disruptive qualities which can cause forward movement in our lives to be temporarily delayed ... sudden reversals of interest and drive may occur, as well as the termination of a long term goal as it may become apparent that the effort exerted is inappropriate or non productive ... also old wounds, hurts and frustrations may arise seemingly out of context but usually there is a purpose for this !!!

During a Mars retrograde it is usually a good idea NOT to undertake any major new beginnings especially per contract or verbally since the energy often isn't there to carry it through ... obviously sometimes you can't just "sit tight" for nearly two and a half months, but there are good reasons, if at all possible, to hold off as the waiting may ultimately prove to be a blessing in the long run ... often things begun under a Mars retrograde may begin to run into problems when it stations back into direct motion - that being February 23rd, 2025, at some point during the next two years, as a result of another personal planets' - those being Mercury and Venus - retrograde energy, or perhaps when Mars takes its next retrograde journey which will be January 10th, 2027 through April 1st, 2027 going from 10 degrees 25 minutes back to 20 degrees 55 minutes Leo !!!

It is NOT a good idea to begin a new major romantic involvement - especially this time around with Mars retrograding in a sign which naturally rules the 5th house of romance, creativity and pleasure (Leo) - as it could prove to be constantly challenging, fall apart rather quickly or have major issues arise during the next Mars retrograde which will bring it to an end once and for all if things were rocky from the beginning ... and should you get married during this period, you might want to have someone mark the time when you are pronounced husband and wife, partner and partner, etc., and then find a reputable astrologer to run an event chart for that time in order to see in which house, and therefore which area of life, this backwards energy may affect and challenge the relationship !!!

Mars retrograde energy has the potential to produce some unwanted action if it aspects other planets in your natal chart regardless of sign but still within the same range of degrees ... as with Mercury retrograde periods, sometimes those born with Mars retrograde will find this period more productive since they are already comfortable and have a better understanding of this backwards energy regardless of the sign natal Mars retrograde may occur ... in a natal chart, those born with Mars retrograde are said to have actions in the current life that are recreations of the past to deal with, they probably abused the principles of aggression and personal initiative, and they are frequently in competition with themselves !!!

Mars is the ruling planet of Aries which is the natural ruling sign on the 1st house, or Ascendant, which is considered a house of Life ... its keyword is identity ... the 1st house represents your personality, your natural disposition and tendencies, your individuality and the way you express yourself, how people see you and the way you want others to see you, the way you "package" and "market" yourself, your reputation, your physical body, your health, early childhood years, your approach to life, your worldly outlook, your appearance and the beginnings of all enterprises you undertake ... so there is the potential for issues to arise in these areas especially if some of the actions were taken during the last Mars retrograde or during the current Mars retrograde !!!

Mars represents your animal nature, desires, sexual energies, assertiveness, force, power, construction, work, strife, competition, surgery and operations, weapons, war, accidents, inflammations, wounds, cuts, burns, scalds, violence, tools, iron and steel, actions that are sudden, self-assertive and disruptive actions, and energy that can be used destructively and angrily or with courage and strength ... all of these areas are vulnerable to issues during the entire retrograde period as it is Mars which is in retrograde !!!

This Mars retrograde begins in Leo ... the Sun is the ruling planet of Leo ... as such, the issues that could arise during this portion of the retrograde include: the persons main method of personal expression, qualities of leadership and success, the masculine principle, the father, the husband and men in general, health and vitality, authority and bosses, rank, title, high office, progress, dignity, energy, sense of identity and capacity for experience !!!

The Sun naturally rules the 5th house of the horoscope which is considered a house of life whose keyword is identity ... within its domain there could be issues to arise which include: children, artistic expression, love affairs, romance, pleasures, amusements, holidays, vacations, games, speculations, hobbies and avocation, your emotional attitude and the love you give, your enterprise, sports, originality and creative outlets, dramatic, literary or artistic ability, publications, politics, the fine arts, social affairs, pregnancy, the education of children, and any groups to which you belong which relate to having fun !!!

On January 6th, Mars returns to the sign of Cancer, a sign that it is already weakened in as it is considered to be in its fall, and the focus shifts ... not to say there won't be any issues running concurrently with the beginning of this retrograde period, but the following are added to the list of potential challenges ... the Moon is the ruling planet of Cancer and it involves the domestic, nurturing urge as well as the emotions ... therefore issues that could arise include: the female principle: mother, wife and women in general, instincts, moods, tides, phases, receptivity, fluctuations, feelings, habit patterns, reflex actions, personal interests, desires, needs, magnetism, growth and fertility, the need to touch, impressionability, consciousness, liquids, commodities, sailing, brewing, nursing, tradespeople and the public in general !!!

The Moon naturally rules the 4th house of the horoscope which is considered a house of endings whose keyword is security ... as such, there could be issues to arise which include: your home, your parents, the family you came from (your roots so to speak), the home you will establish, your heritage, heredity, ancestry, your psychological roots and private life, property - including houses, real estate and all that is secluded, the closing years of life, the ending of all matters, fame after death, place of burial, the parent who has the greater influence on you as a child, your subjective self, the nurturing parent, and the foundation on which you build your character !!!

In regards to potential health issues, keep in mind for the first 10 days of this retrograde Mercury will be imbedded in it and Mercury is the natural ruler of the 6th house which includes health and thus increasing the potential for health issues in general ... specifically to this Mars retrograde these would be the areas potentially affected by this energy:

Mars: external reproductive organs, head and face

Sun: the heart, upper back, right eye of the male, left eye of the female

Moon: breasts, stomach, digestion, left eye of the male, right eye of the female

Since Mars was last retrograde from October 30th, 2022 through January 12th, 2023, the question now becomes what actions were possibly begun that now must be readdressed, readjusted, reworked, or simply have run their course, ran out of "steam" and come to a necessary ending needing to be released, or concluded but not by our choice, in order to promote further personal and spiritual growth ??? ... and undoubtedly you may be readdressing some of these issues, including the issues encountered from October 5th up until the retrograde period began as Mars backs over those degrees and then moves over them again once Mars stations direct, up until it exits its retrograde zone on May 2nd, 2025 !!!

For those of you born between December 7th and February 22nd, you will get this Mars retrograde energy somewhere in your astrological birthday chart - known as a solar return - for the whole year ahead ... however, those born on December 6th and February 23rd may or may not get this retrograde energy depending on the time of your solar return for the current year ... therefore some Sagittarius born, all Capricorn born, all Aquarius born and a few Pisces born will definitely get the Mars retrograde energy in their solar return chart for the year ahead !!! ... below is what noted astrologer Mary Fortier Shea has to say about having Mars retrograde in the birthday chart - also known as the Solar Return:

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

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

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

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

ARIES BORN - this is your period to slow down and in some cases stop - WHICH YOU DO NOT LIKE TO DO AT ALL !!! - in order to review and rethink what has been and what is going on in your life especially in regards to what has transpired in your life since January 12th, 2023 when Mars, being your ruling planet, last stationed back into direct motion ... Even though Aries born individuals - as well as Leo, Cancer and Scorpio (as Mars is considered your ancient ruler) born - may be more sensitive to this reversal of energy, we will all experience it or surely witness it somewhere in our lives ... lights may begin to come on in our heads as we discover that perhaps we should have either waited a while longer before taking action or possibly never have taken a particular course of action to begin with in certain situations even before Mars resumes direct motion !!!

One final caveat, those born between December 7th and December 14th will be the "lucky" recipients of the Universe bestowing you with a wonderful birthday gift of both Mercury AND Mars retrograde in your solar return chart for the year ahead ... those born on December 6th and December 15th may or may not get both retrograde energies depending on the time of your solar return this year !!!

Of course life cannot come to a screeching halt ... just proceed cautiously and wisely ... especially as the Holiday season and entering a New Year can often be quite stressful by itself especially with this additional backward energy added to the mix !!!

Mars remains retrograde until February 23rd, 2025 ... again, this Mars retrograde period could end up being even more intense and challenging to begin with as Mercury, currently in its fourth and final retrograde period for 2024, will be embedded in the first 10 days of this Mars retrograde before it concludes its retrograde period on December 15th ... in addition, many may feel along the way that there is something making them restless, edgy frustrated and irritable and they are simply not able to pin down the cause - this is usually the case when Mars transits ones natal 12th house, has it there in their natal chart, by progression or as a result of your solar return ... of the three personal planets - Mercury, Venus and Mars - that take retrograde journeys, it is said that Mars retrograde can produce greater havoc and widespread unexpected change of all three personal planets ... and in particular the times around Mars stationing retrograde and then stationing back into direct motion there is the potential for an increase in aggression, violence, accidents and fires !!!

As it is said that in a Venus retrograde we often become somewhat less sociable and frequently forget our manners, during a Mars retrograde we may become somewhat less "warlike" and our energy can repeatedly hit a lull ... over the course of this 79 day period as energy rises and seems to fall just as quickly, we may become all too personally and frequently associated with that famous saying -

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