HAPPILY EVER AFTER - LOVE WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS !!!

Venus began its transit through the sign of Pisces today, 1/14, at 12:47 AM EST ... this Venus is all about dreams and wishes, fairy tale endings, love at first sight, and happily ever after ... Venus is exalted in Pisces - remember a planet that is exalted in a sign expresses its energy more harmoniously and visibly, especially since Pisces ruler Neptune is the higher virbational octave of Venus ... Venus in Pisces enjoys being compassionate, tenderhearted and helpful ... often one relates to others by taking the role of either the rescuer or a person looking for help ... affection is usually expressed idealistically, romantically, sympathetically, or sometimes evasively ... there is a deep desire for magic and romance in love ... one of the obstacles here can be a lack of clarity about what you want or a failure to be objective in regards to others which can ultimately set you up for disappointment, disillusionment, or possibly deception ... it is very easy under this energy to idealize love and loved ones, and one must guard against putting people and love on the proverbial "pedestal" as when reality sinks in the results can be devastating ... sometimes a lack of discrimination can lead to highly frustrating attachments ... in this energy, one often wants a beautiful dream in their love relationships, yearns for a true soul mate, or can be psychically attuned to ones partner ... remember that Pisces is a water sign so Venus traveling here is subject to the emotions being a large part of the drive - even more so than usual!!!

Venus in Pisces can give great sensitivity to hurt that makes one feel as though they are being picked on ... one must guard against clinging to illusory loves just because they are far more beautiful than real life ... and this could ultimately prevent one from finding true closeness with another ... the bottom line here is that this Venus wants to experience the perfect, unselfish love ... tastes are frequently very refined here ... music is usually a natural means of self-expression as well as art ...

The essence of Venus in Pisces is loving through accepting - the love of all ... in fact love IS all ... this energy sees the Eternal Life principle flowing through every manifestation and therefore uniting the soul with all of life ... it is said that this placement of Venus most likely has more innate ability for inspired artistic creativity than any other ... also at heart one knows and feels that love is everything ... everything is regarded as being alive and sacred ... Venus in Pisces can yield a complex love nature ... this is due to having a highly evolved sense of love as unconditional and of beauty as a healing property, but on the other hand the fears and doubts that can accompany this energy can make one inclined to see love as something one "needs" and beauty as something to "get" or to "own" ... the truth here is that each one of us is a thing of love and beauty, but if one begins to doubt this, then one can open themself up to being used and abused ... and in the end, it comes down to the fact that you can only love the world and those in it as much as you love yourself as a part of the world !!! ...the energy of Venus in Pisces can express itself in the following ways :

POSITIVE: compassionate, sympathetic, appreciates unity of all life, congenial, evocative, sensitive lover, easygoing, artistically inspired, natural healer, self-sacrificing, selfless, highly affectionate, altruistic, very generous, loves unconditionally, gentle, philanthropic, peaceful

NEGATIVE: martyr, too sentimental, too passive, seducing, idealizes lover, romantically deluding, hypersensitive, self-pitying, weak-willed, wanton, no self-value, undiscerning, fears rejection, indulging, evasive, overly impressionable

Venus remains in Pisces until February 8th  ... Pisces born individuals don't forget this is the time when Venus shines its beautiful light upon you, and it is usually a good time to ask for what you want ... you're pretty much irresistable !!! ... for all of us, it's time to keep seeking "love with all the trimmings ... waiting all for YOU" !!!

A HIGHLY AMBITIOUS YET PATIENT MINDSET !!!

Mercury began its "practical" transit through the traditional, reliable sign of Capricorn this morning, 1/8, at 1:34 AM EST ... this is the energy of a highly organized mentality ... it is a hard worker that stores up facts and figures for future practical use ... it is cautious and highly methodical as it knows what it wants and exactly how it plans to get it ... the mind as well as the tongue are serious and sensible ... communication is made cautiously, and for those born with this energy in their youth there could be doubt as to ones mental ability therefore yielding a need to prove onesself as having a good mind ... there is sometimes this doubt associated with limited educational opportunities in childhood that may be overcome by further study in adulthood ... words here are usually not spoken until they are well thought out unless, of course, MODIFIED by something else in the natal chart !!! ... one can appear to be rather formal, authoritative, reserved and self-sufficient which can sometimes inhibit communications with others ... natural logic and cautious planning are oriented towards material success and/or personal responsibilities ... thinking is well-organized ... learning is achieved through persistence, dedication, and steady progress ... one might become a little pessimistic under this energy by mistakenly focusing on limits rather than potentials ... here we have a Mercury/Saturn (ruler of Capricorn) relationship that will ultimately give a very structured, organized and well thought out quality to the mind if there is no other energy adversely modifying it ...

Mercury in Capricorn can make one ambitious, careful, calculating and patient ... one excels at handling detail and rarely loses sight of the overall picture ... people born under this energy often obtain positions of leadership due to their dependability and their air of authority ... one must guard against becoming too dictatorial though ... the darker side of life is often viewed under this energy, yet a redeeming trait would be the very dry sense of humor bestowed here ...

The essence of Mercury in Capricorn is thinking through building ... the mind rules the matter ... it's the organizer ... there is the capability of extended concentration and excellent organization ... one becomes realistic rather than idealistic in the approach to their goals ... little of practical consequence escapes ones attention due to a keen sense of awareness ... think of Mercury in Capricorn like a laser beam - pointed and locked on exactly what it wants and it will know exactly how to get it ... ultimately it is not the facts that ones mind contains that determines its quality - it is how you use your mind and what you use it for that counts ... one of the essential lessons of Mercury in Capricorn is to learn to USE concrete facts but NOT be weighed down by them ... when you achieve this, you realize how ridiculous it is being enslaved to material status and belongings ... the energy of Mercury in Capricorn can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: good timing, mentally cautious, not easily fooled, retentive mind, methodical mind, orderly mind, serious when necessary, level-headed, clever, discriminating, shrewd, profits from little, employs others, sober, clear and deliberating mind, strong concentration, painstaking, patient

NEGATIVE: procrastinating, slow learner, sceptical, mentally overloaded, lacking originality and imagination, given to melancholy, boring and rigid, suspicious, devious, avaricious, uses others, stern, dry minded

Use this energy well and you will never lose sight of what really counts the most - your resourcefulness ... be sure to give your mind a break when it needs it, or IT may break !!! ... help to inspire others with a goal that you are able to see more clearly than they can ...

Mercury remains in the sign of Capricorn until January 27th ... no doubt my fellow Capricorns and I will come up with some truly scathingly brilliant ideas as it passes through our birth sign and transits over our natal Sun placement ... HEADS UP - only two more signs after Capricorn for Mercury to transit before it begins its first retrograde journey for 2012 which may be compounded with extra aggravation  by being embedded inside of a Mars retrograde ... for now, one way to sum up this transit comes in a well known phrase made famous from the television series Dragnet - "JUST THE FACTS M'AM" !!!

A JUBILANT, BENEVOLENT, EXPANSIVE COSMIC CHRISTMAS GIFT !!!

The Universe bestowed us with a jubilant, expansive and benevolent gift as Jupiter completed its retrograde journey for the year today, Christmas Day, 12/25 at 5:08 PM EST ... while Jupiter has been retrograde since August 30th, we have all been rethinking and reviewing our growth and expansion and where it may have gone too far and needed some adjusting ... during this period we have all probably had some kind of internal growth and have been preparing for opportunities that may now become available since Jupiter has stationed back into direct motion ... one should pay particular attention in order to develop more understanding and awareness during these direct motion periods ... its time to determine whether or not what is being offered is something that you truly want and whether or not it will promote personal growth or is something that is merely stroking your ego ....

Sagittarian born individuals, it is time for you to come out of your yearly "hibernation period" and begin to move forward ... what have you been busy reviewing and mulling over since August 30th ??? .... what is it that you really want, and what is it that is simply excessive and not necessary for personal and spiritual growth and expansion ... in fact, this is something we all will most likely be doing ...

Jupiter had just began its transit through the sign of Taurus on June 4th and got no further than 10 degrees of Taurus when it began its retrograde journey for this year ... below is a review of what the transit of Jupiter through Taurus is all about :

Jupiter in Taurus is about manifesting things … it values money, possessions, physical gratification and beauty … there is usually a very deep appreciation of sensual pleasures … beliefs often center around being practical and the material world … one may spend a lot of their money and income on books, seminars, the search for knowledge and the collection of art objects … one needs to be careful about putting too much importance on possessions or gratifications … trust is usually placed in what is safe, secure and familiar … one may idealize enjoyment, finances, ownership or perhaps strengthen their faith and trust in life through contact with nature and simple pleasures … growth is achieved through being steady and reliable …

Jupiter in Taurus makes one very much at home with financial dealings and very adept at investments and finance … one may do well in working in their own business or working with other people’s money … this energy may produce one who becomes a stockbroker, banker, or one who deals in any field that requires patience and structure …positively used, there is the ability to develop a deep understanding of the true value of life … one truly enjoys the luxuries money can buy as well … this energy also tends to make one quietly stubborn with an intense dislike of being pushed too hard … in addition, there is found concern with justice and orthodox religion … if not careful with this energy, one can become the victim of their expensive tastes leading to over-indulgence, laziness and indebtedness ...

Jupiter in Taurus is also about growth through being stabilized … there is usually the ability to attract wealth in some way or other … but if not careful one may end up amassing wealth and accumulating material things and then wallowing in it and somehow losing everything or losing control of it … one must remember the Law of Infinite supply which states that in order to maintain wealth one must invest what one has in helping to further others … eventually one may come to realize that a sense of wealth rather than the wealth itself is all that really matters … this energy likes the good things of life, being the provider, material wealth, traditional values and warmth and comfort … it dislikes bare existence, wastefulness, being in debt, scarcity … the energy of Jupiter in Taurus can be expressed in the following ways :

POSITIVE: sound judgment, contemplative, practical philosopher, comfortable, gives stability, steady progress, trusting, jovial, good-humored, generous, good appetite, affluent, money wise, charitable

NEGATIVE: self-opinionated, too cautious, smug, expects too much ease, stick-in-the-mud, cynical, irresponsible, wasteful, gluttonous, greedy, penny-pincher, exploitive, overly status – conscious

Jupiter remains in direct motion until October 4th of next year ... it will complete its Journey through the sign of Taurus on June 11th of 2012 not to return for approximately 12 years ...meanwhile, now that mighty Jupiter is moving forward once again we all will have the opportunity to further ourselves through personal and spiritual growth and expansion - hopefully it will NOT be in our waistlines !!!

BUTON UP YOUR OVERCOAT - OLD MAN WINTER COMES TO CALL !!!

Fall completed its seasonal influence, at least up here in the Northern hemisphere, early this morning 12/22, only minutes ago at 12:30 AM EST EST, as the Sun began its transit through the practical, hardworking sign of Capricorn - YEAH!!! ... this is truly the MOST FABULOUS A DN CHERISHED sign of the Zodiac - ok, so it happens to be my birth sign, but who's doing the blogging here??? ... I believe that allows me to embellish ever so slightly!!!! ... 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 !!!

Capricorn is the 10th sign of the natural zodiac and represents the beginning of the Winter season ... 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 SeaGoat - 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 - 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 ... Saturns 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 govenment 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 essence of the Sun in Capricorn is living through building ... it is concerned with making a success of life ... one is satisfied here through a sense of purpose and responsibility ... as the surefootedness gets one to their intended goal, sometimes the foothold can be on someone elses feet or head!!! ... this is a very complex sign and often its energy is perceived as melancholy and stern - but anyone who cares anough 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 SeaGoat 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 Saturns rulership which places great burden and heaviness on young Capricorns shoulders continually driving one to work, and even when a goal has been reached 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 be expressed the following ways:

POSITIVE: materially aware, responsible, efficient, orderly, ambitious, organizer, industrious, takes the reins, reserved, patient, thoughtful, deep understanding, resourceful, canny, perservering, 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 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 a good thing ... but it is also useful to be under this energy as the year comes to a close so that we can seriously reflect on what has happened and where we need to go from here ... the Sun will be traveling through Capricorn with Pluto, and Capricorns ruler, Saturn, is currently transiting through the sign of Libra, so we can definitely expect some heavy duty changes to occur on many levels of our lives ...

The Sun remains in Capricorn until January 20th ... take the time to reflect and review where you have been and what you have done this past year, and then start making plans as to what direction you need to move in next year to assure personal and spiritual growth continues ... we begin the upcoming New Year with all the planets moving forward, as soon as Jupiter turns back into direct motion on Christmas Day, so there is the potential to begin some major growth in our lives if we put our shoulder to the grindstone and positively use this determined, hardworking energy ...

Oh yes ... if 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 our souls down rather heavily at times - and wish them a HAPPY SOLAR RETURN!!!

ANYTHING GOES - AN EXPERIMENTAL KIND OF LOVE !!!

... and with that in mind Venus began its transit through the progressive, unique sign of Aquarius today, 12/20, at 1:26 PM EST ... this unpredictable Venus truly marches to the beat of an unusual and different drum!!! ...and being the Holiday season some people may get a very unique, shocking or maybe even "twisted" present ...it indeed likes being unusual or different in some form or fashion ... relations can be casual, erratic or with openness and tolerance ... affection is expressed experimentally, freely, and unconventionally ... pleasure is derived from being unique ... the handling of money and possessions can be progressive, intellectual, unpredictable, changeable, or even rebellious ... freedom and friendship is a requirement in love relationships ... and trying to tie this Venus down is a big NO-NO!!! ... 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 is a detached yet magnetic love ...

Venus in Aquarius gives a kind and loving nature ... it makes one helpful, charitable, but NOT an emotional person ... here personal freedom is of utmost importance, and 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 emotional scenes will 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 - as 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 the romantic or friendship interest freedom in their relationships with others ...

The essence of Venus in Aquarius is loving through liberating ... here love must be set free ... there is an openminded 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 here 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 perservering, humane

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

Aquarian born individuals, remember 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!!! ... Venus remains in the sign of Aquarius until January 13th/14th depending on the time zone in which you live ... remember that Aquarius is ruled by the planet Uranus the planet of the sudden and unexpected, so enjoy this unusual and openminded energy and who knows - as Aquarius also rules Astrology, you might even find there is an Astrologer out there you discover a fondness for!!! ... and certainly as Santa makes his rounds this coming weekend don't be surprised if you hear, way up in the sky everytime a whip cracks, some excited reindeer yelling out "WHOSE YA DADDY" - HO HO HO !!!

FORWARD HO ... HO ... HO !!!

Mercury completed its final retrograde journey for 2011 this evening, 12/13, and stationed back into direct motion at 8:43 PM EST - do I hear a BIG SIGH OF RELIEF out there ??? ... time to ease back into the forward swing of things on all levels ... over the next few days to the next few weeks or even months, there may be some "a-ha" lights coming on in regard to decisions made during the retrograde period from 11/24 through today 12/13 and possibly as far back as 11/5 when Mercury entered its shadow point - the point where it would come out of the retrograde journey today which was at 3 degrees of Sagittarius ... or did issues and complications or questioning arise in regards to things done during the last retrograde period from 8/2 - 8/26 ??? ... or maybe even as far back as the retrograde period from 3/30 - 4/23 ???

The recurring question we may find ourselves asking is "WHY" ??????? ...What actions did you take or were taken against you that you may now be regretting or simply wondering why you chose to do or were the victim of that particular course of action, and why didn't you or the other person wait a little longer or are simply now trying to figure out why it happened ???? .... did you make any major purchases - homes, cars, electronics - that now don't seem like the best thought out course of action ??? ... there could be problems regarding any purchases made with anything where electrical energy and/or computers were involved .... 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 at this point ... and how many of you got married - oopsie !!! ... all of these scenarios are possible as the energy of a Mercury retrograde is one where communications and mental energy is going "backwards" ...

Did any of you have issues regarding the law, religion, science, ideals, higher learning, philosophy, psychological issues, mental studies, your 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 though living ... sometimes we just have a difficult time being able to perceive the bigger picture as well ...  with Mercury retrograding in a fire sign like this we may have been trying to figure out how our individual personal inspiration can help create our future ... health-wise, there could have been issues with the liver, hips and thighs which are ruled by Sagittarius, in addition to general health issues as Mercury naturally rules the 6th house of health ... and how many of you had travel plans that fell apart, ran into nasty delays or did not turn out how you thought they would ??? ... did anyone from your past come back around only to go out again or make you understand why they aren't actively in your life anymore ???

Now there may be a few instances where nothing really major happened but rather only minor annoyances ... those born roughly between November 26th and December 12th may have been impacted in some special way as Retrograde Mercury passed backwards over their natal Sun placement ... Gemini and Virgo born your final period of review and reflection for 2011 has concluded - time to move forward .... also, anyone making new beginnings and signing contracts during the retrograde period may find they do not not pan out in the end as the energy simply won't be supported or something important may have been overlooked ... new jobs begun or accepted during the retrograde period may not prove to be what they were supposed to be or completely fall apart down the road ...

Mercury turned direct today at 3 degrees of Sagittarius and will complete its transit through the sign of Sagittarius on January 8th ... below is a reminder of what the energy of the transit of Mercury through Sagittarius may produce :

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 ... there is 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 overexaggerate ... 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 ...

The essence of Mercury in Sagittarius is thinking through SEEKING ... its the eternal student ... the understanding that knowledge is truly power ... the mindset is broad and active and capable of cultivating itself and being aware of a variety of lifes 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 ... one 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

Keep in mind things may really start popping and there could be a great big rush of energy propelling us forward - especially with the heightened stress of the Holidays added ... and since Uranus just stationed back into direct motion in the fiery sign of Aries on December 9th/10th , and all of that inter-connected energy affected by the Mercury retrograde has been released - look out !!! ... Mercury will be back up to full speed on December 31st/January 1st - depending on where you live - and remains in direct motion until March 11th/March 12th ...

AND ... just a little heads up - the first 8 months of 2012 could prove interesting and perhaps aggravating as well since we will experience the three personal planets - Mercury, Venus and Mars - playing planetary shadow point and retrograde hopscotch ... the Universe giveth and the Universe taketh !!!

For now though, it is with great hope that with Mercury transiting through Sagittarius during this Holiday season, our minds will truly be focused on peace on Earth and good will towards man !!!

OUT OF THE BLUE - ISN'T IT SHOCKING ???

... while it's true that the Holiday season is definitely underway, and with it comes a stir of anticipation and a childlike excitement that can feel like a highly charged electrical impulse running through your body, I would like to address another kind of "electrical impulse" that may be adding to the mix ... the planet Uranus completed its retrograde journey and stationed back into direct motion this morning 12/10, at 2:05 AM EST - just hours before the full Moon lunar eclipse in Gemini occurred, so it may have been a very restless night for many !!!

Uranus is the planet representing sudden and unexpected change ... it is a shocker ... it gives flashes of insight, rebelliousness and originality ... it represents eccentricity, genius, inventiveness, revolution, intuition and the sixth sense, and everything that happens out of the blue!!! ... Uranus questions and challenges authority, and transcends business-as-usual social and cultural ideas to come to new solutions ... it absolutely insists on freedom but there is also an understanding here that freedom must be learned one step at a time!!! ... it rules electricity, technology, computers, and all things on the cutting edge ... most importantly - at least to me !!! - it is the planet that rules Astrology!!! ... while it was in retrograde motion, it was time for all of us to ask what changes are occurring in the world and how we are contributing to or working against these changes - the ability to see the importance between your own personal changes and the ones occurring globally, and the connection between the two, became a strong focal point ...

Uranus has literally been slowing down to shift direction and remaining at 0 degrees of Aries since November 11th, so it may have felt like there was an edginess and restlessness on some level of our lives for the last month ... on December 9th, yesterday, it was, from an astrological viewpoint, literally vibrating at a stand still sending out its disruptive electrical energy ... when it turned direct today and for the next few days until we get used to the switch in motion, there could be sudden and unexpected occurrences or any of the above mentioned traits happening - has anything happened perhaps within the last week that was sudden and unexpected in some area of your life ??? ... or has anyone felt rather edgy and restless without really knowing why ??? ... now that Uranus is direct we can expect changes - it's time to start putting those changes in motion ...

Uranus is currently transiting through the sign of Aries - where the essence of this energy is awakening through doing - it has gotten no further than 4 degrees of Aries as it began its complete transit through Aries on March 11th ... the Universe has simply been giving not only Aries born - who may especially feel the impact of this retrograde - but everyone a glimpse of things to come and where change will need to be and MUST be addressed while Uranus transits Aries !!! ... it takes Uranus roughly 7 years to completely transit through each sign of the zodiac - it will not complete its full transit through Aries technically until March 2019 ...

There could be a lot of us who experienced elevated tension during this past week, and in some cases there was a sudden and unexpected change made out of the blue - or even a confrontational situation arose we were not expecting ... and over the next few days, until the direct motion energy settles in, there could be instances of rebellion, disruption , explosion and confrontation ...

Aquarius born individuals, your period of "hibernation" is over for the year and it's time to move forward once again ... what have you been thinking about that needs some kind of change since July 9th of this year???  ... what unique things have you discovered about yourself, and where have you felt a need to break free from something or someone in order to express your individuality ??? ... Aquarius born individuals may especially feel the thrust of this powerful energy, as well as Aries born since Uranus is currently transiting through yor birth sign ... but we all will feel its energy somewhere in our lives and if you've had a natal chart done you may get an even better clue as to where this drive for change and freedom will take place in your life ...

Uranus remains in direct motion until July 12/13th depending on the time zone you live in ... so now we all have this energy to be different, to be independent, to have our own freedom and to do things suddenly and unexpectedly turned outward ... YIKES !!! ... how will it play out in our lives and on a global scale ???

Since Uranus is at 0 degrees of Aries and therefore literally at the beginning of its complete transit now, here is a reminder of what the energy of Uranus transiting through Aries may produce:

Uranus in Aries is energy whose mission it is to blaze new trails in science and social reform ... freedom to act in ones own way is of paramount importance ... there is courage, daring, initiative and resourcefulness ... if this energy becomes afflicted it can turn explosively impulsive, politically fanatic and violent ... this energy can make one very blunt and outspoken ... it demands change and refuses to live in the style of the parents or preceding generations ... the spirit of adventure is strong, and constant new experiences are required in order to remain happy and productive ... impulsiveness and bad temper are the pitfalls with this energy ... the challenge is to learn to develop more consideration towards others and a greater ability to cooperate ... when the urge for such great indiviualism this energy produces is carried out to extremes, it can blind people to the social structure on which a collective group endeavor depends ... no doubt the children born during this transit will certainly be some of the movers and shakers of the future ... Uranus was last in Aries from 1928 - 1934 ... it takes Uranus approximately 84 years to make one complete transit around the entire zodiac ...

Uranus in Aries is a pioneer that is quick to make a complete break from the conventional and take off in new, unexplored directions - including both social reform and new breakthroughs in science ... with the advancement of technology today just think of the possibilities the positive use of the energy could yield !!! ... it is said that Uranus in Aries liberates one impetuously ... there is a strong need for freedom and openness ... and when one breaks loose they will do so energetically, quickly and assertively ... the basic intention of Uranus in Aries is to re-assert one of the most fundamental human rights - the freedom to do what you want to do, and with this raw and primitive impulse, it can give rise to extremes including on one side being the reactionary and rebel to the other side of harnessing the courage and stamina to stick to ones resolve in the battle to lay the foundation for a new beginning in some field of human endeavor ...

So remember as you are out holiday shopping, even though people seem hurried, pushy and "rebellious" - especially if you get hold of that particular item they wanted to purchase or vice versa - we are simply "charging up" on our credit cards in addition to being "charged up" by Uranus shifting back into direct motion ... "Shocking" isn't it???