TIME TO DROP BACK AND PUNT ... AGAIN !!!

Mercury just began its third and final RETROGRADE journey for 2015 today, September 17th, at 2:10 PM EDT ... if you've been following my blogs, then you know pretty much what to expect during a Mercury Retrograde - EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!!! ... this retrograde occurs completely in the sign of Libra going from 15 DEGREES 55 MINUTES LIBRA back to 0 DEGREES 54 MINUTES LIBRA ... as always, there could be more than the usual number of "misfires" as this backward energy takes over... some of you may have noticed the energy beginning to move backwards already when Mercury entered its shadow point back on August 28th - the point where it will come out of this retrograde period on October 9th at 0 DEGREES 54 MINUTES LIBRA ... and to potentially complicate things even more with this Mercury retrograde is the fact that it comes on the heels of the Venus retrograde which ended on September 6th, and Venus is still moving forward to exit its retrograde zone which will occur on October 9th ... and since Venus rules Libra, we could find ourselves encountering issues that occurred during the Venus retrograde from July 25th through September 6th ... to many people it may simply seem as if the Venus retrograde just hasn't quite ended yet !!!

Suffice it to say that during a Mercury retrograde things somehow just don't seem to go right or as we planned, and we often find ourselves re-doing things especially after Mercury stations back into direct motion ... it is also not unusual to have people from our past come back around but it frequently ends up being for only what I refer to as a "pass and review" ... There is always the chance that something we have done in a previous Mercury retrograde may come back and "bite" us thus requiring that we address the issue and resolve it or take a different course of action ... Mercury was last retrograde from May 18th through June 11th, before that January 21st through February 11th ... and yes even Mercury retrogrades prior to this year could now produce some unexpected issues to arise and stare us in the face during this retrograde period ...

It is very important to understand that Mercury retrogrades are NOT ALWAYS the harbingers of doom and gloom even though things do frequently go off kilter ... and even though it is true they can cause disruption and misunderstandings, we have to realize these are simply Universal "time outs" which give us the opportunity to drop back and rethink and review our actions ... especially in regards to the areas of our lives governed by the house, or houses, in which this retrograde energy takes place ... BOTTOM LINE - even though we often joke about it, Mercury retrogrades shouldn't always be feared and dreaded but rather approached somewhat cautiously ... the Universe is giving us a chance to right our wrongs and redirect ourselves in order to achieve more beneficial personal and spiritual growth !!!

Communications are going to be challenged both to and from others - partnerships and relationships often hit the skids during these periods - some ending prematurely others needing to be brought to a conclusion ... it is NOT a good time to make major purchases - especially Cars, a big NO NO - that goes double for USED CARS, computers or anything that involves electronics ... also purchasing homes can end up producing unforeseen problems and even the contracts can have unexpected difficulties along the way or at closing especially if the closing takes place within the retrograde period .... it is also not a good idea to enter into any kind of contracts or start new jobs as they will most likely not pan out and end up being dead ends ... and weddings, well I know it takes a long time to plan a wedding and some of them will just have to go on as planned, but if you can avoid a wedding in a Mercury Retrograde - DO IT !!! .... obviously one cannot put their life on hold, but if there is anyway to hold off on these things until Mercury turns direct, it would prove beneficial in the long run ... if you must take certain actions during the retrograde, just make sure you move slowly and carefully to hopefully prevent complications down the road ... and even that might not be enough - but life must go on !!! ...  I have frequently found, though, that in many natal charts I've done, people born during a Mercury retrograde sometimes seem to thrive during these periods because they innately understand the backward energy and how to work with it ...

To RE-PEAT, Mercury retrogrades are simply a time for reviewing and revision ... during a retrograde journey it can be said that we are in a mental "down time" and often things will not register on a conscious level with us ... the ultimate most proficient use of Mercury retrograde cycles is to reconnect the individual with the Universal "rhythm" ...

Gemini and Virgo born, as Mercury is your planetary ruler, it is now once again time for you to step back and review and re-evaluate what has been going on in your lives especially since June 11th which was the end of the second Mercury retrograde this year ...

In Libra, Mercury retrograde challenges us to mainly address our relationships and partnerships both public and private - but didn't we just get through having to do that during the recent Venus retrograde especially while it was retrograde in Leo ??? ... and it wouldn't be out of the question that the need may arise to address personal values and our monetary situation with Venus ruling Taurus as well even though the retrograde is not in that sign !!!

Mercury retrograding in the sign of Libra can bring into focus the areas of life ruled by Venus as well as 7th house matters and also potentially pulling in 2nd house matters as Venus naturally rules these two houses of the horoscope ... so issues could arise regarding art, culture, possessions, partners, beauty, charm, good taste, sweets and sugar, harmony, singing, drama, music, emotional contacts, tenderness, moral character, marriage and unions of all kinds, pleasure and appreciation - all things ruled by Venus ...

There could also be issues in regards to financial affairs, possessions (excluding real estate), investments, earning power, gains or losses through your own efforts, inner talents and resources, your need for fulfillment, your emotional feelings, your sense of self-worth, sense of values, personal liberty and material debt - all matters represented by the 2nd house ...

But there is the greatest potential for issues to arise regarding business and marital partnerships, marriage, divorce, contracts, lawsuits, agreements, dealings with the public, open enemies, cooperation or lack thereof with other people, addressing what you most lack in yourself, grandparents, and any people who act as your agent or on your behalf - all matters represented by the 7th house which is the specific sign on the house Venus naturally rules where this Mercury retrograde is taking place ... and because Mercury rules communications, don't be surprised if people seem to lose their manners and tact which is what usually occurs during a Venus retrograde !!!!

Health-wise, there could be issues with the throat, chin, cheeks or sense of taste which are areas ruled by Venus, and the kidneys which are ruled by Libra ...

As Mercury is the natural ruler of the 6th house, there is always the possibility of issues regarding daily work and service, as well as ones health and nutritional habits ...

If all of the above mentioned areas weren't enough to have to consider where possible issues could arise,  keep in mind if you've had a natal chart done, then look and see where you find 15 degrees 55 minutes Libra back to 0 degrees 54 minutes Libra ... this is where you are most likely going to find issues arise particularly for you in the areas of life governed by the house or houses where this Mercury retrograde falls in your natal chart ... A lot to "think" about when the mental processing is not functioning at its best !!!

Below I have re-posted the "Mercury Retrograde Survival Manual" written by my teacher Lyn Hammond Gray ... hopefully it will help out :

"Here is your Survival manual: Mercury retro always creates a repeating action. The Re-Words are common. Some re-words that you will notice during this time are:

Repeat – The action you are making during the RX period you will probably repeat again during the period or later.

Repair – The need for repair will arise. If possible, put if off until Mercury turns direct (October 9th).

Reverse - You will be amazed at how many times you change your mind or reverse your thinking during this time. Watch out for that race car driver that is driving in reverse down the emergency lane on the freeway. Yikes!....

Recall - Your mind will wonder back. You will think of people from the past or you will encounter someone from the past. If old lovers show up, don't bet that it will stick. Believe me... it is just for a "review." (And if it does last, I want to be the first to know about it. E-mail me and let me know). And you know what, I wouldn't start a new romance during this period either - wait until after October 9th !!!

Review - If you are reading instructions, you may find it necessary to review repeatedly because they simply don't make sense. Sometimes the publisher has actually left out a step. It happens!

Regroup - In corporations, it is a common experience during the Rx to hear the boss say, 'Alright, we are going to rework this thing and get it right.' Later when the period is over, they go back to the old way doing things. It is a laugh a minute. Stand back and watch the comedy.

Reboot and Revise - The computer world is a definite place to watch the comedy. It is common for one to suddenly, without fore thought, decide to revise their system during the Rx. Oh! Mercy! That revised system may never function in the normal way. Oh, please! Do wait until the period is over. However, it is fine to do your shopping for the new components during the Rx. When you do go to purchase your parts AFTER October 9th, you may find better deals and buys.

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

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

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

Re-examine – Well, just about everything !!!

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

And so it is. Three times a year we live this cosmic "going to teach you the patience routine". All and all when this retrograde period is over you may "Re-alize" this simple truth: The flow of the universe is very, very interesting and it is going to have its way with us.

Good luck and may the Universe bestow upon each one of you a special wisdom and unique insight into your journey through this life at this point!!! "


Back to me now ....Those of you born between September 17th  and October 9th will have Mercury retrograde energy in your birthday chart - also known as your Solar Return - for the whole year ahead ... however those born on the September 17th and October 9th may or may not depending on what time your solar return actually occurs ... below is a repeat explanation of what it means to have Mercury Retrograde for the whole year in your birthday chart:

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 may even 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 ... below is what astrologer Mary Fortier Shea says about having a solar return Mercury Retrograde -

"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 !!!

For all of us, this becomes a time to review and rethink what is going on in our lives and especially what may have been started or done during previous Mercury Retrograde periods ... we must look and see what is now running into problems, falling apart, or what simply will not work out and needs to be let go of and ended so we can move forward when the retrograde period is over ... one more item of interest - those born roughly between September 17th and October 9th may be impacted in some way as retrograde Mercury passes  back over their natal Sun placement !!!

Whatever the case, it is for sure that there will undoubtedly be lights going ON in our heads regarding these actions as well as other lights going OUT as this Mercury Retrograde energy wreaks its cosmic havoc for the next 23 days ... so slow down and try not to act too impulsively or the day may come in the near future when you live to regret what you did ... be aware tempers will flare and patience may become scarce ... HOWEVER ... that personal sense of humor, being one of your best allies, may need to be called upon frequently as the Mercury Retrograde merrily produces disruption and misunderstanding !!! 

So the lingering question still remains - will we become the constant victim of Cosmic Chaos, become the recipient of great Cosmic Clarity ... or BOTH ??? ... it is most definitely NOT time to try and swim upstream in a raging current of cosmic confusion ... so take a deep breathe and go with the flow for it is now time to DROP BACK AND PUNT ... AGAIN !!!

CUPIDS ARROWS - BACK ON TARGET ???

Venus - the planet representing attraction, how you may give and/or receive love and affection, shows how each one of us perceives beauty and happiness, shows what we value and dictates our personal values, shows how you relate, how you create and appreciate harmony through social and artistic expression, shows how we earn and spend our money, and shows exactly what it is you like - completed its retrograde journey for 2015 and stationed back into direct motion today, 9/6, at 4:29 AM EDT ...

As the weeks progress you may find little lights coming on in your mind as to decisions made in any of the above mentioned areas since the retrograde period began on July 25th ... there are an abundance of possibilities within this scope ... a lot of people will realize that a significant partnership or relationship ended, and some of you may now suddenly find yourself having changed your mind or questioning why you made that decision perhaps too hastily  ... it is also possible the person may come back around and things might look entirely different with Venus moving forward again ... however, if it was time for the relationship to end, then it MUST be let go of for you to grow personally and spiritually in order to move forward ... for those of you who began significant new partnerships or relationships, especially of the romantic variety, you may discover that they will not have longevity as they were formed when the energy of love and relating was moving backwards ... time will tell ... marriages entered in to during these times often have an added sense of pressure - after all, Venus does naturally rule the 7th house of marriage and partnerships ... unfortunately, also in this economy, this could have been the period where quite a few of you actually lost your job and are now job hunting once again!!! ... and let's not forget this little item - how many of you ended up shelling out money on something you had no intention of or no idea that you would be spending money on???

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

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

Keep in mind that since this Venus retrograde occurred in the sign of Virgo, very briefly, and then Leo ... while there was about 7 days of Venus retrograde in Virgo there may have been an emphasis on the desire to seek even more perfection by picking apart relationships, cause the tendency to have been even more judgmental about people, and made one become rather obsessive about health and nutrition ... and when Venus returned to the sign of Leo - which naturally rules the 5th house which addresses matters of the heart, creative endeavors, and how one spends their leisure time - for the remaining 38 days of the retrograde period romance, partnerships/relationships, creativity, and the pursuit of pleasurable experiences probably were put under the "cosmic" microscope very intensely !!!

Everyone should try and think back to the period between December 21st, 2013 until January 31st of 2014 ... is there something you may have begun in regards to any of the above mentioned areas Venus rules that became an issue for you during this Venus retrograde period ??? ... it is very common for this to occur ... to that end, anything begun during this current Venus retrograde period that just ended may yield problems in the days, weeks and months ahead, or lie dormant until the next Venus retrograde period which begins ... anything begun from now until then may also become fair game as well !!!

Taurus and Libra born individuals, your period for inward reflection and review - especially of what has transpired in your life since the end of the last Venus retrograde on January 31st, 2014 - is now over and once again you start moving forward to pursue new avenues of personal and spiritual growth and maturity ... there could have been some significant insight, if you were paying attention during the last 6 weeks, that enlightened you as to what, where or who was no longer serving you and was not truly reflecting who you are on the inside as well as preventing personal and spiritual growth ... and this also is a possibility for all of us !!!

Venus stationed direct at 14 degrees and 23 minutes Leo today ... although now direct, Venus remains in it's retrograde zone -  the beginning degree at which Venus actually entered its retrograde journey on July 25th, which was 0 degrees 46 minutes Virgo, and must come back to - until October 9th ... then Venus will be back up to full speed once again ... but is this retrograde energy completely over yet ??? ... and don't forget if you had a birthday from July 25th through today, September 6th, yo will get this Venus retrograde energy for the whole year ahead per your solar return this time ... however, those born on July 25th and September 6th may or may not get this in their solar return depending on the time your solar return actually occurred this year ... now you can understand why it is so important to have a natal chart run for reference as to how the cosmic energy personally affects you on your journey through life !!!

Speaking of October 9th, Mercury is currently in its shadow point in advance of its third and final retrograde journey for 2015 beginning on September 17th which will be completely in the sign of Libra which of course is ruled by VENUS ... so it could be possible that some of the issues that arose during the Venus retrograde may still be lingering or come back up again especially if they were ignored and not taken care of adequately ... Taurus and Libra born you obviously have a lot to be processing during this time ... but more apparent is the fact that the Universe is trying to get every one's attention in regards to something in these areas that has to be addressed !!!

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

THIS VENUS CARES - IT REALLY CARES, and will make darn sure you know it !!! .. this energy loves big entrances and high drama ... ultimately, it just outright loves good  old-fashioned romance ... it enjoys the limelight, attention, admiration and applause ... it gives a natural magnetism and sex appeal ... others often find the expression of this energy down right exciting ... affection is expressed dramatically and wholeheartedly ... it can make one magnanimous, loyal, playful and magnetic in love ... the handling of money and possessions is usually generous, extravagant, and speculative ... there is a desire for zest, enthusiasm and an adrenaline rush in ones love relationships ... ones pride and urge for recognition affects ones capacity for closeness ... clothes and appearance are also very important with this energy ...

Venus in Leo teaches us about how we love through what we create ... love "shines" ... it is important to give some form of creative expression to your feelings and passion in relationships ... and even though one is very  enthusiastic, there ironically may exist a deep-seated "doubt" of ones own ability to be loved which others cannot detect outwardly from you ... here artistic sense is very strong ... life is frequently viewed as an ongoing creative experience ... at some point, one must ultimately go looking for their inner beauty ... one thing you can be compared with is your self-respect ... what each of us has to give is priceless ... channel the larger than life energy here into larger than life pursuits or pastimes ... love and allow yourself to be loved in return ... this energy likes admiration, mutual respect, lavish parties, showing off ones partner,and old fashioned classic courtship ... it dislikes even the slightest rejection, behavior that is insulting, being "shown up" by others, and a lack luster love ... the energy of Venus in Leo can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: romantic, ardent, passionate, loyal, artistic, dramatic, entertaining, fun-loving, radiant, outgoing, warm, openly affectionate, charming, attractive, benevolent, gives a lot, social pride, personal pride, fun to be with


NEGATIVE: unrealistic, sexually obsessed, consuming, too loyal, prima donna, overbearing, demanding, inappropriate, self-centered, showy, brassy, flirtatious, seducing, flaunting, expects too much, snobbish, vain,  competitive, game-playing

Venus remains in Leo until October 8th, and in direct motion until March 4th 2017 ...

So now we have all had about 6 weeks to think about what we value and whether or not what represents our inward personal values is being properly expressed outwardly to others; our money - how we earn it and how we spend it; and our partnerships and relationships both personal and professional ... how many of you GOT the "message", and how many of you remained complacent and unyielding and ignored what the Universe was trying to draw your attention towards ??? ... sometimes the Universe speaks to each one of us in a whisper, and sometimes it literally gets in our face and screams - THERE WILL BE CHANGE!!! ... for now though, it's time to try to live, laugh and let your love flow ... and hopefully Cupids arrows will now be flying back on target towards lovingly piercing your heartstrings instead of impaling you in ya BUM  !!!

THINKING, RELATING THROUGH COMMUNICATING TO OTHERS !!!

MERCURY  began its transit through the charming, persuasive sign of Libra on Thursday, August 27th, at 11:45 AM EDT ... harsh words and intimidating comments are seldom or very hesitatingly spoken while Mercury moves through this sign - after all, Libra is ruled by Venus which tends to soften and sweeten things while adding charm ... in many ways this can be considered as the cosmic energy expressing the "language" of love !!! ... Mercury was last in Libra from September 1st/2nd through September 29th, 2014 ...

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

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

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

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

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

Mercury is currently the only planet transiting through the sign of Libra ... Mercury remains in the sign of Libra until ... WAIT FOR IT ... WAIT FOR IT ... until November 1st/2nd depending on what time zone in which you live !!!! ... and you certainly know by now the reason for this extremely lengthy transit through Libra ... Mercury will begin its third and final retrograde period for 2015 on Thursday, September 17th which will last until October 9th going from 15 degrees 55 minutes Libra back to 0 degrees 54 minutes Libra ,,, in fact, Mercury began its transit through Libra last Thursday when it almost immediately entered its shadow point on Friday the 28th having reached 0 degrees 54 minutes Libra ... this is the degree where it will come out of the retrograde on October 9th ... which brings up some interesting thoughts -

Libra is ruled by Venus ... Venus is currently retrograde until September 6th, so Mercury actually entered its shadow point during the Venus retrograde ... and the entire upcoming Mercury retrograde will be in the sign of Libra which is ruled by Venus ... so the questions become - will Mercury going retrograde in Libra bring up issues from this Venus retrograde yet again and particularly those that weren't addressed during the Venus retrograde, and when Venus stations direct next Sunday, will it really be totally over or will things just be left in limbo until Mercury has completed its next retrograde journey on October 9th - especially in regards to partnerships/relationships both public and private, monetary issues, and the assessment of whether or not our personal values are justified or working against us ??? ... we all have a lot to think about and reconsider over the next few months but especially Taurus and Libra born who may be particularly sensitive to all of this switching energy back and forth !!!

Libra born individuals for now have a lot to think and rethink about during this extended transit, and of course will most likely be sharing it with us in their charming, endearing manner they are usually born with - unless of course the birth chart indicates otherwise ... for all of us, this becomes a period of time when we have the ability to learn to speak more graciously and gently through our communications ... and to that end we are all encouraged to -

SPEAK KINDLY AND THINK GOOD THOUGHTS !!!

THE PERFECTIONIST !!!

The Sun began its "highly efficient" transit through the methodical, discriminating sign of Virgo on Sunday, August 23rd, at 6:38 AM EDT ... the cosmic solar energy now lowers the curtain on the flamboyant and dramatic energy of Leo which can produce so many overblown egos and now has shifted into a slower, more highly work oriented mode of operation ... with the Sun in Virgo, one likes to shine through their competency, through their work and/or health, through being pragmatic, and through their tendency towards discretion ... 

Virgo is a feminine/earth/mutable(flexible) sign ... it is reserved, modest, practical, very discriminating and industrious, highly analytical and painstaking, and always seeking to know and understand ... its key phrase is "I ANALYZE" and it's keyword is "Practicality" ... its glyph is the Greek spelling for the word "virgin" ... anatomically it rules the nervous system and the intestines - this energy can make one prone to illness caused by stress and nervous tension ... it can also make one highly prone to ulcers ... it is the sign directly opposite of Pisces in the natural zodiac where one can be dreamy, given to imagination, self-delusion and escapism ... Virgo is the sign of work and self-improvement yielding a perfectionist nature which will dissect and analyze - often over-analyzing - all of the facts in order to obtain the ultimate truth and gather all available information ...

Virgo is ruled by the planet Mercury - the second sign Mercury rules - the other being Gemini ... Mercury is the ancient God of communication and commerce ... Mercury rules intelligence and reason, and tends to give one a rather high strung temperament ... Mercury represents the intellectual urge, reasoning ability and all avenues of expression ... so naturally it would rule mental capacity, dexterity, rationalization, sensory perceptions, travel - in particular short trips, brothers and sisters, children, speaking, writing, bookkeeping, secretaries, neighborhood activities, letters, mailings, means of transportation, trade and techniques ... where you find Mercury in your natal chart is the place which shows where and how you best communicate ...

Virgo naturally rules the 6th house of the horoscope ... it is a house of duty and substance ... it relates to ones work, health and habits ... it shows employment, employees, tenants, servants, pets, and dependents ... it also shows service to others, routine day to day matters, ones clothing and how it is worn, hygiene, interest in food and health, sickness and all conditions that would affect ones health ... this house also shows aunts and uncles, self-adjustment, and the unconscious mind ... in this house, work and health are tied together ...

The Sun transiting Virgo teaches us to learn how to live productively through rational analysis ... here we have the perfectionist ... through constant analysis we seeking a state of purity ... this energy must have some kind of work or be of some kind of service for life to make sense ... it is energy that is continuously preparing for something ... there is a need here to perfect some kind of technique through vigorous study and training and through this one can reduce the everyday wear and tear on the nervous system and the intestinal  area ... proper rest, retreat and good diet are a MUST here ... serve your body well and it will serve you and others well in return !!! ... the energy of the Sun in Virgo can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: thoughtful, analytical, lively mind, observant, scholarly, precise, pure intentions, discriminating, helpful, problem-solving, wholesome, health-conscious, industrious, methodical, efficient, reliable, modest, considerate, pure

NEGATIVE: over thinks, skeptical, worrier, critical, dry, fault-finding, interfering, problem-making, fussy, hypochondriac, workaholic, inflexible, overly mechanical, spoil sport, unsure, stand-offish, sterile, petty, melancholy, picky

HAPPY SOLAR RETURN VIRGO BORN !!! ... The Sun, now joining Mercury and Jupiter already in transit through Virgo, remains in the sign of Virgo until September 22nd ... just keep in mind by that time Mercury will have already begun its second retrograde journey for 2015 back on September 17th ... so it's quite possible the last 6 days of this solar transit could be affected in some way by that backwards energy !!!

During the next 27 days we will be immersed in facts, figures, daily work and service issues, health and nutritional issues, and possibly family issues on some level ... BUT ... we must learn to step back and look at the larger picture which is a very difficult and challenging task under this energy  ... if something is working, DO NOT TRY TO FIX IT !!! ... help where it's not needed becomes a hindrance ... understand that true perfection consists of being able to accept life's imperfections and not worry so much about picky, petty issues ... think of the mind as a "lens" with the ability to focus on what is not only close up but far away as well ... 

With that in mind, there is simply one thing left to say - JUST WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK ... WORK ... WORK !!!

DETAILS ... DETAILS ... DETAILS !!!

JUPITER - planet representing growth; laws; beliefs; ethics; expansion; opportunity; wealth; faith; broadening - knowledge, horizons and understanding; higher education; travel; religion; philosophy; excess and over doing - began its transit through the meticulous and extremely methodical sign of Virgo yesterday, August 11th, at 7:13 AM EDT ... leaving the highly dramatic sign of Leo, Jupiter in Virgo, which is more intellectual and critical, is now ready to get serious and bring great focus and concentration to improving this journey we call life !!! ... Jupiter was last in Virgo from August 27, 2003 through October 25th, 2004 ... even though Jupiter is frequently referred to as the "great Benefic" and will certainly have some very positive effects during this transit, Jupiter is considered to be in detriment in Virgo as that means it is in the sign opposite of the one it rules which is Pisces - well, sort of ... Jupiter was technically considered the ancient ruler of Pisces because way back when, Neptune had not been discovered yet, and Jupiter had been given rulership of both Sagittarius and Pisces which makes sense as one sign, Sagittarius governs the higher mind, beliefs, philosophy and religion, and Pisces governs the mystical, the visionary and spiritual matters ... also, Jupiter is usually least comfortable operating in an earth sign as it will have the tendency to limit and confine Jupiter's expansive qualities and abilities ... earth signs tend to be more of a practical, tangible nature which challenges Jupiter's desire to explore the higher planes of existence ...

Jupiter in Virgo will make sure that no opportunity is wasted ... it is organized, practical and receives great pleasure when efforts made produce concrete results ... it gives a cautious, practical and scientific outlook on life ... it can produce a fine intellect from the added concentration and focus ... it yields the ability to gain cooperation from others ... it sets high standards in whatever it does ... it produces natural scholars who must watch the tendency to expect too much from others ... cleanliness and order are of great importance ... integrity in detail is a must ... religious and moral beliefs are usually based on the concept of service ... it believes in hard work ... honesty and integrity are very important in work and business, and congenial relationships with co-workers, employees and employers are valued ... with the great urge to give detailed consideration, one must learn to get help from others as well as delegate responsibilities in order to avoid overwork and the incorrect treatment of some aspect of projects being undertaken ... there can be an increased interest in service and charitable pursuits that are associated with physical and mental health in hospitals and educational institutions ... there could be analytical interests in geography, botany, philosophies, higher education and religion ... any area of work will benefit from the ability to take account of the details - without getting lost in them - and then successfully placing them into a broad overview that presents a completed picture ... through ones work ethic and service to others, their philosophical and spiritual horizons are expanded ...

Jupiter in Virgo has challenges ... one of the biggest is being unable to "see the forest for the trees" as Jupiter is all about expansion and the big picture while Virgo is extremely focused on the multitude of details ... Jupiter is amplification and elaboration and Virgo is precision and perfection ... worries tend to get magnified and confidence is not always the best ... due to Jupiter's expansion and Virgo's restriction internal tension may result ... often expressing ones affection gets curtailed somewhat ... due to the over concern with so many details, one must guard against making mountains out of molehills as the saying goes ... sometimes one can get very lazy and sloppy in their work if they are not careful ... most importantly, one must be careful not to work so hard and end up getting nowhere !!!

Virgo is the natural ruler of the 6th house which is a house of substance ... here we must humble ourselves and fore go the central spotlight ... understanding the universe is achieved through learning to understand the structure and detail of the smallest element ... and as Jupiter transits through Virgo, there will be an expanded awareness of doing all of the above mentioned ... expansion, growth and opportunity has the potential to occur in the following areas ruled by the 6th house as well : work, health, personal habits, employment, employees, tenants, pets, dependents, service given to others, routine matters, ones clothes, hygiene, nutrition - interest in food and drink, illness and conditions affecting ones health, the unconscious mind and self-adjustment ... in regards to health, there could be issues regarding the intestines, the nervous system, the brain, sight, hands and arms, and illness brought on by stress, worry, emotional upset or nervous tension ... 

Jupiter in Virgo teaches us all about how to grow through careful analysis ... it can be slow moving but ultimately it is sure ... the greatest growth takes place on a mental rather than a material level ... once you clearly perceive the patterns and way in which you grow and develop, it will lead to a greater understanding of who you are, where you are going and where you fit in the universal scheme of things ... the energy of Jupiter in Virgo can be expressed in the following ways :

POSITIVE: an urge to learn, organized progress, perseverance, professionalism, realistic, judicious, methodical, ethical, philosophical, virtuous, honest, practical, conscientious, upstanding , thorough

NEGATIVE: overly studious, self-limiting, materialistic, cynical, petulant, overly analytical, narrow minded, nonchalant, mean, hypocritically pious, prudish, moralizing, picky, petty, critical, worrisome, sloppy, lazy

Virgo born, you are now bestowed with roughly a 13 month period of extra potential for growth, opportunity, expansion and outright luck ... hopefully the "expansion" won't occur around your waistline !!! ... so keep your eyes and ears open and pay attention to what and who the Universe brings across your path !!!

Sagittarius born, your ruling planet has now moved into a new sign ready to teach you new lessons to further your personal and spiritual growth ...

For those of you born with Jupiter in Virgo, you will be experiencing your Jupiter return at some point over the next year when Jupiter reaches the degree it was at when you were born ... this return occurs approximately every 12 years as that is how long it takes Jupiter to transit around the zodiac ... Jupiter returns often mark the completion of a cycle of religious, spiritual or philosophical understanding and thus the beginning of major new cycles of growth and progress ... it represents a time when one hopefully sees whether or not they are putting as much into the world as they expect to receive from it ... frequently people who are beneficial for you in some way will come into your life during this time ... and yes, there is always the possible potential to gain from some financial advantage ... one can experience prosperity, opportunity and abundance in the area of life ruled by whichever house in ones natal chart this return occurs ...

As always, for all of you who have had a natal chart run and know where the 30 degrees of Virgo fall, you will probably get a good idea of where in your life there is the potential for the energy of Jupiter in Virgo to expand your horizons on your journey through life !!!

Jupiter remains in Virgo until September 9th, 2016 - it will stay in Virgo during its next retrograde journey which begins on January 8th ... ultimately your philosophy of life will have greatly expanded which in turn potentially yields more positive personal and spiritual growth ... so be prepared over the next 13 month period to be focused, concentrated and busy analyzing all of those DETAILS ... DETAILS ... DETAILS !!!

SEXUAL DRIVE AND PHYSICAL ENERGY - OFF THE CHARTS !!!

Mars began its dramatic transit through the romantic, playful, creative and pleasure seeking sign of Leo yesterday, 8/8, at 7:33 PM EDT ... Mars was last in Leo from August 27th through October 15th, 2013 ... Leo, being a Fire sign, is very happy to have the fiery planet Mars, planet of action, initiative and drive transiting its sign ... kind of a two for the price of one transit .... Mars in Leo is naturally dramatic and its actions alone often make a statement without a word being uttered ... having attention and admiration, and being in the limelight are doubly essential here .... energy can be asserted warmly, majestically, radiantly, or sometimes unfortunately extremely arrogantly ... the normal drive is towards having fun, enthusiasm, generosity, creativity, and most definitely having a zest for life ... this energy can be quite exciting yielding a strong sense of pride and a drive for recognition ... there is creativity abounding with a pronounced flair, and there is a heightened sense of vitality and just being alive ... ones identity here is tied in to being someone special and increasing self-esteem ... sometimes the urge to express oneself so boldly can lead to being pompous and very pushy, but it can also make one quite the magnetic personality ...

Sexual drive and physical energy is usually off the charts under this energy and they thrive in an atmosphere of attention ... receiving compliments especially makes one come alive ... many of us may find ourselves becoming more in touch with our inner child - go with it ... since Leo rules creative tendencies, those in the entertainment and artistic realms usually become quite productive and have the potential to reach a new heightened expression of their work ... regardless of where we use this energy, you can bet while Mars is transiting through Leo there is absolutely going to be a driving passion about something or someone - or both !!!

Mars in Leo teaches us all about learning to get through creating ... here we have a hot and fiery streak that definitely needs to find some form of creative, dramatic, or romantic outlet ... there is determination and confidence and the first impression one gives is most valuable to oneself ... there could develop an overly neurotic need for admiration, but there is also a demand for honor, dignity and ability worthy of respect ... personal power is greatly enhanced with this energy but one must be careful not to become overbearing and end up being feared rather than loved ... the desire nature is in overdrive here ... find what you truly have a passion for and go for it ... when ones sense of glory and achievement goes beyond ones petty, self-centered ego drives, the way in which one goes about becoming genuinely creative becomes a gift instead of a curse ... feeling insignificant, humiliation, losing control and small-mindedness are strongly disliked while taking pride in ones partner, excitement, respect, honesty and being center stage are what one strives for with this energy ... the energy of Mars in Leo can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: high-spirited, passionate, ardent lover, energetic, dignified, proud, heroic, enthusiastic, vital, speculative, exciting, self-assured, determined, strong-willed, leader, consistent desire, ambitious magnetic, fearless

NEGATIVE: melodramatic, possessive, jealous lover, coercive, pompous, self-righteous, vain, tyrant, offensive, brutal, wild gambler, overly-excited, feels infallible, quarrelsome, domineering, ego driven, overbearing, ruthless, conceited, arrogant

Leo born, enjoy the extra burst of personal energy you are being given wile Mars moves through your birth sign  - as if you really need more fire energy driving you and even if it is being somewhat conflicted with Venus currently retrograde in your birth sign !!! ... for all of us, this could be an extremely creative and productive period but not without its challenges ... and if you are given to gambling and speculation, I would certainly advise great caution - once again especially with Venus being retrograde in Leo ... after all, Leo naturally rules the 5th house which includes gambling and speculation so be careful about being influenced by an excessive drive to take too many "risks" !!! ...

Aries born will also certainly feel the effects of this energy as Mars is your ruling planet ... for everyone, if you've had a natal chart done and know in which house or houses the 30 degrees of Leo fall, then you'll get a good idea as to what area/areas of your life this energetic drive will most likely "consume" you !!!

Mars remains in Leo until September 24th ... but keep in mind that of this 48 day transit, 30 days, which is over half of this transit, will be influenced to some degree from Venus being retrograde in Leo until September 6th - gotta love that cosmic sense of humor !!! ... in fact, Venus and Mars will cross paths going in different directions on September 1st ... and so there is the possibility, at least for the next 29 days, that whatever or whoever it is we could potentially get fired up about from this passionately driven warrior energy might not go as we had planned ... at least until Venus resumes direct motion ... best to keep in mind that familiar phrase - "ALL IS FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR" !!!

CROSS EVERY T ... DOT EVERY I !!!

Mercury begins its transit through the highly focused sign of Virgo today, August 7th, at 3:15 PM EDT ... thinking and communicating processes now shift from what was a fiery, highly creative energy to being more rational and efficient ... and even though Virgo is an Earth sign which is somewhat prone to slower movement,  Mercury is dignified in this position, very happy and very much at home here and functions well as this is one of the two signs it naturally rules - the other being Gemini ... Mercury was last in Virgo from August 15th through September 1st/2nd, 2014 ...

This energy usually gives the mind a rather precise, thorough and analytical ability ... communications and thinking can be logical, helpful, critical, negative, skeptical, practical or humble ... one is apt to put their mind to work doing their job ... this intellect is excellent for writing or technical crafts, and converting ideas in a tangible form ... there is a talent for organization, but sometimes the discriminating and highly focused mind could get mired in too many details and become excessively critical ... one of the challenges of this energy is to learn to step back and look at the bigger picture in addition to getting immersed in all the fine details ... learning is best achieved in an organized sequence and a logical presentation ... the concern for details can often lead to the syndrome of "not being able to see the forest for the trees" ... there is also likely to be an interest in health, nutrition, competence and ones day to day work ... this Mercury says exactly what it wants to say - no more no less ... to quote a familiar television phrase,  this energy wants to know "Just the facts Ma'am" !!! ... it has a quick, dry wit, bestows a fine eye for detail, and usually produces very neat and readable handwriting ... this energy can also make one very skilled with their hands and often craftspeople are born with this energy in their natal chart ...

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

Mercury is in Virgo teaches us to learn to think through analyzing ... it's the pure mind ... the ability to reason functions very well here ... a big challenge though is to not live totally in your mind and understand there is a big difference between knowledge and actual experience ... this energy also can help one assist others in seeing things more clearly - in forms such as writing, editing, counselling, teaching, drawing and translating ... there is the ability to assimilate vast amounts of complex information ... ironically, when it comes to expressing something close to ones heart, this energy can make one obscure it in a lot of irrelevant references ... this energy makes it necessary to thoroughly grasp a specific subject as without training or education one is more likely to suffer greater than others from being unemployed, underemployed or unemployable ... the ultimate goal with this energy is to appreciate that what gets in the way of understanding life is thinking way too much about it - a totally clear mind is really no mind at all !!!! .... the energy of Mercury in Virgo can be expressed in the following ways:

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

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

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

Mercury is currently the only planet transiting through Virgo, but Jupiter will join the party next week on August 11th and the Sun will enter Virgo on August 23rd ...

Mercury remains in the sign of Virgo until August 27th ... this is the last full sign transit of Mercury before it takes its final retrograde journey for 2015 entirely in the sign of Libra beginning September 17th and lasting until October 9th ... Mercury will retrograde from 15 degrees 55 minutes Libra back to 0 degrees 54 minutes Libra ... look in your natal chart to see which house or houses those degrees fall and you might get a clue as to what area of your life the trickster may be potentially stirring up havoc and mayhem !!!

For the next three weeks, the thrust of Mercury's mission in Virgo boils down to encouraging us to analyze and scrutinize every piece of information, and to ultimately make sure we have crossed every T and dotted every I !!!