FORWARD HO ... OFF YOU GO !!!

   

MERCURY - completed its second retrograde journey for 2023 and stationed back into direct motion yesterday, May 14th, at 11:17 PM EDT  - do I hear a BIG SIGH OF RELIEF out there ??? ... for some reason many people found this Mercury retrograde challenging !!! ... hopefully as this 23 day Mercury retrograde concludes, some of the disorientation, confusion, frustration and outright irritation along with the sudden and unexpected issues that may have been produced by this Mercury retrograde will now begin to clear and subside as it becomes time to move forward into the swing of things on all levels !!!

Over the next few days to the next few weeks or even months, there will undoubtedly be quite a few "a-ha" as well as "uh-oh" lights coming on in regard to decisions made or actions taken during the retrograde period from April 21st through May 14th, and possibly as far back as April 7th when Mercury entered its shadow point - the point where it would come out of this retrograde journey yesterday at 5 degrees 50 minutes Taurus ... did issues and complications or questioning arise in regards to things done during the last retrograde period from December 29th, 2022 through January 18th ??? ... or maybe even as far back as the retrograde period from September 10th through October 2nd, May 5th through June 3rd, 2022, or January 14th through February 4th, 2022 ... or retrograde periods further back than 2022 ???

It's a sure bet that as Mercury moves forward once again crossing back over the degrees it covered during this retrograde period, issues may begin to arise potentially sooner than later in regards to whatever was going on the first time it crossed over the retrograde degrees - especially if it was making any aspect to your natal planets or one of the angles which are the cusp of the 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th houses !!! ... Mercury crossed over 5 degrees 50 minutes Taurus up to 15 degrees 37 minutes Taurus from April 7th up until April 21st, then went backwards over them during the retrograde, and now moves forward over them once again from May 14th through May 31st  - the good old "scrubbing effect" as we sometimes like to refer to it in Astrology !!!

Mercury retrograde periods, even though annoying and extremely frustrating at times, are actually a very beneficial thing, especially for those who were strong and fearless enough to dig deep down, as we need to validate, or in some cases invalidate, actions and situations gone awry and deal with them in order to finally release them to produce a calmer, positive and more productive state of mind thus allowing us to move forward to bring about greater personal and spiritual growth !!! 

If you've had a natal chart done, you should look to see in which house or houses 15 degrees 37 minutes Taurus back to 5 degrees 50 minutes Taurus falls ... what kinds of issues, if any, did you have to  deal with in the areas of life governed by that house or in some cases those houses ??? ... how many of you went with the flow and how many of you tried to swim upstream in the raging current of Cosmic confusion ??? 

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



Relationships may have come to an end - some needed to be released and others may have jumped the gun and you are now wondering, or will be, why did I do that or end things during this period ...  how many of you had relationship issues surface or resurface - extremely likely in a Mercury retrograde - that you thought surely had been resolved or didn't even realize existed ???  ... or how many of you had one or more people come back through your life that you thought you had seen the last of or even forgot about and now most of them are gone or going once again ???  ... and how many of you began a new relationship, personal or professional, without waiting for the retrograde period to conclude ??? ... AND ... how many of you got married - OOPSIE  ???



Did anyone make any major purchases - homes, cars, electronics - that now don't seem like the best thought out course of action or that you are beginning to regret or will do so in the days ahead ??? ... there could be problems regarding any purchases made especially with anything where electrical energy and/or computers were involved ... how many of you accepted or switched jobs during this retrograde period ??? ... all of these scenarios are possible as the energy of a Mercury retrograde is one where communications and mental energy is going "backwards" ... so now that the mental processing facilities are no longer going backwards - at least for most of us - in regard  to Mercury and its functions, it's time to finally RELEASE these emotional holds and allow ourselves to move forward with our lives ... let go of what is best left in the past so you can achieve greater personal and spiritual growth !!!

 

Mercury retrograding in Taurus could certainly cause relationships to have been given a serious look ... there could have been some very deep and serious thinking and rethinking done here ... Mercury in Taurus already "slows" down the mental process with Taurus being an Earth sign, and adding retrograde energy to it can just complicate matters ... as Taurus is a fixed sign, all of the fixed signs, Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius could have felt more of an impact with Mercury retrograde in Taurus ... and of course Gemini and Virgo as well as this is your natural ruling planet ... so that is already 50 % of the zodiac signs encountering potential challenges !!!  

Taurus is the natural ruler of the 2nd house, a house of substance, of the horoscope ... as such, in addition to the usual suspects of a Mercury retrograde, there could have been the potential for issues regarding financial affairs, possessions (except real estate), investments, earning power, any gain or loss through your own effort, your inner talents and resources, your need for fulfillment, your emotional feelings, your sense of self-worth, your sense of values and your material debt !!!

Venus is the ruling planet of Taurus, so there could also have been issues arising as well in the areas of art, culture, aesthetics, partnerships - more in particular to personal ones, beauty, charm, good taste, sentimentality, sweets and sugar, poetry, paintings, jewelry, singing, drama, music, emotional contacts, moral character, marriages, unions of all kinds, sociability, disposition, luxuries, pleasures and appreciation !!!

In regards to overall health, remember Mercury is the natural planetary ruler of the 6th house which rules health, so there could have been more chances to have health issues in general during this Mercury retrograde ...  with Mercury in Taurus there also could have been issues that arose with the throat and neck as these are the anatomical areas of the body Taurus rules !!!

A Mercury retrograde period is usually not a good time to have surgery as the healing process could be slowed down or there could be the chance of having to go back at a later date and take care of something that wasn't done correctly - especially in regards to cosmetic surgery ... how many of you had elective surgery, such as cosmetic surgery, etc. ??? ... was the outcome what you expected ??? ... hopefully things will work out so you don't have to go back again !!! ... as for emergency surgery, we have no control over that and trying to put that off might have produced catastrophic results !!!

Gemini and Virgo born, since Mercury is your natural ruling planet, did you "try" and slow down for personal review and rethinking - especially in regards as to what has transpired in your lives since Mercury last resumed direct motion back on January 18th ??? ... what have you learned about yourself in regards to where you are going and whether or not you are proceeding wisely in order to become more successful ??? ... what did you discover that MUST be changed - in fact what did anyone discover that MUST be changed so you are not left stagnant and hanging in limbo ???

Just a reminder, those born between April 22nd and May 13th definitely gt Mercury retrograde in their solar return - birthday chart - for the year ahead ... those born April 21st and May 14th may or may not have gotten this retrograde energy depending on what time their solar return occurs this year ... below is a repeat explanation of what it means to have Mercury Retrograde for the whole year in your birthday chart summed up by Mary Fortier Shea in her book titled "Planets in Solar Return":

"The significance of having Mercury retrograde in your yearly birthday chart or, as we refer to it in Astrology, a Solar Return ...

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

Mercury is usually retrograde in a solar return chart every six years ... during this time it's best to be introspective ... you should be learning and thinking on your own rather than depending on others ... the mind  is like an overstuffed drawer seriously in need of re-filing and reorganization ... in other words the time has come to "process" ... the mental processes are not very receptive to new information at this time ... it's time to go back and re-examine and review things in your life which may have been started but not carried through to fruition or maybe interrupted and suddenly abandoned for some reason ... by focusing inward you might be able to see that your own opinions, thoughts and decisions work best for you rather than those made by others ... at the same time be very receptive to the feedback others are giving you especially if you have missed the mark in regard to some endeavor ... another side effect of this energy is secretiveness where you decide to withhold information or sometimes outright lie ... and why ??? .. because you have secrets that need to be kept or else were you to express your opinions and thoughts outwardly it could cause tension in your relationships ... have plenty of ice cream around to soothe the tongue you are most likely going to have to bite frequently this year !!! ... this is a great year to keep a journal and put your thoughts down on paper and also to write original material ... sometimes you can see things differently when thoughts and ideas are written down which is a very helpful way to get organized ... this is a year where you will probably realize old opinions and beliefs are now outdated thus encouraging you to reassess your thinking, reformulate previously developed ideas, and shed new light on something on some level of your life that needs to be addressed ... It doesn't really have to be a bad year ... done wisely, fast forwarding to the past and clearing out the "clutter", you can propel yourself further ahead in life than you originally may have thought !!! "

Mercury now moves forward to complete its entire transit through the sign of Taurus on June 11th - a transit which originally began back on April 3rd ... below is a reminder of what this energy is about in case you need a "refresher" :

Our mode of thinking and communicating shifts from the rapid fire energy of Aries into the slower and more methodical energy of Taurus ... Mercury was last in the sign of Taurus from April 10th/11th through June 13th, 2022 due to a retrograde period which began after it had already made its ingress into Gemini and then returned to Taurus !!!

The keyword for this energy is "factual" !!! ... here the mind and tongue work deliberately and steadily with the tendency to sometimes get stuck in mental ruts ... this energy can be highly practical and grounded ... business skills or any activity that incorporates the use of common sense usually accompanies this energy ... often there can be learning through tactile contact or actual physical manipulation of the world ... perceptions can often be limited due to a desire to learn slowly and carefully ... there is a desire to bring ideas down to earth, and there are usually interests in money, sensuality and physical comfort  !!!

Mercury in Taurus loves to read - ANYTHING !!! ... time is taken in order to arrive at all decisions ... this Mercury likes to "sleep on it" and needs solid, tangible, physical proof in order to really believe in anything ... the thought pattern is developed in terms of worth thus making "value" the ultimate selling point ... there is usually an excellent memory bestowed by this mercurial energy and it makes one a good observer but ironically one is apt to listen inattentively as their mind is almost always already made up and will rarely be changed !!! ... even though there is a love of reading, it is ultimately realized here that experience teaches one the most valuable lessons in life !!!

Mercury in Taurus teaches us to think through stabilization ... it's all about the concrete mind - SEEING IS BELIEVING !!! ... the mind here likes to chew things over and over in order to acquire a true depth of knowledge ... and frequently because this energy takes longer to reach a decision, opportunities may be missed ... this energy has its definite likes and dislikes ... there is more of a taste for the traditional rather than the abstract and the avant-garde, and one finds it is steady working habits that produce thorough and solid results ... ultimately there is a gift given here to see how any plan will work out in physical terms ... the energy of Mercury in Taurus can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: sound mind, thorough, patient, cautious, shrewd, resourceful, sensible, realistic, good concentration, mentally sure, deliberating, practical thinker, sense of form, steady mind, enduring, mentally laid-back, docile, undemanding

NEGATIVE: slow minded, plodding, tardy, guarded, mean-minded, money-grubbing, boneheaded, one-track-minded, overburdened, limited thinker, stubborn mind, lazy-minded, dumb, misses the point, couch potato

Mercury is currently with the Sun and Uranus already in transit through Taurus !!!

Mercury moves forward to exit its retrograde zone which will occur on May 31st ... Mercury remains in direct motion until August 23rd when it begins its third retrograde journey for 2023 occurring from August 23rd through September 15th ... it will be completely in the sign of Virgo with the retrograde period going from 21 degrees 51 minutes Virgo back to 8 degrees Virgo ... Mercury enters its next shadow point on August 3rd/4th when it reaches 8 degrees Virgo ... for those of you who like to be prepared, Mercury will be retrograde during the final 12 days of the Venus retrograde in Leo - two personal planets retrograde together ... AGAIN !!!

for now  - FORWARD HO ... OFF YOU GO !!! 

WHAT LIES DEEP WITHIN - WILL IT FINALLY SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY AND WILL YOU ALLOW FOR HEALING AND TRANSFORMATION ???

   

PLUTO - whose cosmic energy has the potential to bring about empowerment, destiny, awareness of obsessions, penetration to divulge hidden causes, to produce profound levels of consciousness, can bring about death - not necessarily of the physical body - rebirth, regeneration or destruction, transformation, harming or healing, depth and insight, and  has the energy to enable us with self-renewal began its retrograde journey for 2023 on Monday, May 1st, at 1:09 PM EDT ... Pluto was last retrograde from April 29th through October 8th, 2022 ... this Pluto retrograde will occur from 0 DEGREES 21 MINUTES AQUARIUS back to 27 DEGREES 53 MINUTES CAPRICORN and will last for 162 days !!!



As Pluto has been slowing down, astrologically speaking, and vibrating sending out its intense energy of transformation, upheaval and change - much of which we either hadn't expected or in some cases really needed to happen even if we really didn't want to admit it - the last several weeks ... Pluto has been in the 0 degree area of Aquarius since March 23rd !!! ... it has probably produced a lot of intensity and restless tension in many peoples lives somewhere ... if you've had a natal chart done and know where 0 degrees Aquarius falls, then you might understand where in your life this major impending shift was preparing to take place ... check to see if you have any natal planets at 0 degrees or within one or two degrees of that in any sign, and particularly one of the cusps of the Angles which are houses 1,4,7,and 10 - to determine whether or not Pluto is making a stressful or favorable aspect influencing your life !!!

Pluto has only given us a foreshadowing of what is to come during its transit through the sign of Aquarius ... Pluto was last in Aquarius from 1778 through 1798 ... this Plutonian transit will last until January of 2044 when it begins its complete transit through the sign of Pisces ... Pluto is moving out of an Earth sign into an Air sign ... obviously thinking and communicating will undergo a massive "rebirth" ... there will be shifts in the global power structure, rebellion and revolution, major shifts in the collective consciousness dealing with humanitarian causes, shifts within communities, groups, associations, and our friendships ... our goals, hopes and desires will also undergo change and transformation ... technology growth will make major advancements ... no doubt a lot of you may be aware of all the conversations regarding the advancement of AI ... and most certainly there will be major advancements within metaphysics ... more people will be drawn to those areas, and those already working in that field can expect great change, transformation and growth ... those with the Sun, Moon or Ascendant in  Aquarius, Taurus, Leo and/or Scorpio may feel more of a direct impact as Pluto goes from Capricorn to Aquarius !!!

That being said, Pluto is not quite done with Capricorn yet as it will return to Capricorn on June 11th per retrograde and once direct will reenter Aquarius on January 21st, 2024 ... then when Pluto takes it retrograde journey for 2024, it will return once again to the late degrees of Capricorn from September 2nd through November 19th when it will officially begin its full transit through Aquarius ... so if you have anything Capricorn - Sun, Moon, Ascendant, planets in Capricorn and in late degrees of other signs - from the 27 to the 29 degree of Capricorn, the Universe has some last minute business to deal with you in some capacity !!!

While Pluto was in Capricorn, we could expect deep-reaching transformation of the social order and laws, corporate structures and in the areas of personal responsibility, fulfillment of duties, and general awakening as to personal destiny ... we might could expect some changes in the geographical structure of the earth as well - noticed the increased frequency of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions since Pluto entered Capricorn in January of 2008 ???

Pluto is an outer planet and its energy is directed towards not only personal but generational transformation, so it makes this a time for everyone to step back and review how each one of us is contributing to the future and evolution of mankind and the Earth, or perhaps how we are working towards destroying it ... it’s important to become more conscious of how we individually and collectively impact the Earth and our fellow human beings ... and how willing are you to take an honest look deep within yourself and be open minded and have faith enough to face your inner truth in order to determine where change must take place ??? ... and under the current circumstances we are all having to face, change is a given as we continually move towards what will ultimately become the "new normal" !!!

Scorpio and Capricorn born could be especially sensitive to this retrograde shift and what it produces, as well as Cancer born as Capricorn is the sign in opposition to your natal sun placement ... but we will all feel this energy somewhere in our lives both individually and collectively ... keep in mind the tearing down yielding rebirth and change is needed in order to promote further personal and spiritual growth ... in some cases it may be very drastic and challenging while in others it may not have quite the forceful impact ... it should not be something to be feared, unless you have been doing something extremely counterproductive, but rather embraced with a willingness to accept change ... after all, what is the Universe ALWAYS doing - EXPANDING AND CHANGING !!!

Scorpio born individuals, this is your yearly period of review and reflection of what is transpiring in your life, and especially what has transpired in your life since October 8th of 2022, that is urging you to release, allow transformation, regeneration and healing to take place in some area of your life - in other words, where must change take place due to a "cracked" or severely weakened foundation that will not support further personal and spiritual growth ??? ... and that goes for all of us as well !!!



If you have a Scorpio or Aquarius Sun, Moon or Ascendant you may be more sensitive to this retrograde period - Sun people through your vitality and life source, Moon people through emotional issues and Ascendant people through issues of how you project yourself out into the world - Pluto transiting through your 1st house is always a period of profound and significant change in your life, and believe me I know from experience while it was transiting through my first house from 2000 through 2018 !!!  ... also if you know which house in your natal chart Pluto is currently transiting through, that "stage" where life plays out will produce some interesting and possibly challenging energy ... I have also read many times that when an outer planet - Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto - shifts directions, a slightly increased number of "souls" tend to leave the planet ... particularly those who are elderly ... something to watch for especially at the very beginning of the retrograde period and at the end !!!



Pluto naturally rules the elimination and reproduction systems of the body so there could be issues there ... maybe, maybe not ... Pluto is also the natural ruler of the 8th house - which includes the support you receive from other people including financial, moral, spiritual and physical ... it addresses legacies, trusts, wills, taxes, insurance matters and lets not forget "secrets", sex, spiritual and physical regeneration, psychological rebirth and degeneration and death - not necessarily actual physical though .... also occult matters, sleep, deep research, investigation, hidden assets - including the assets of partners and alimony, and finally, surgery - any of these areas are fair game during the Pluto retrograde !!!

Pluto remains retrograde until October October 11th ... as the harbinger of powerful upheaval, transformation, destruction, "death" - not necessarily physical, rebirth and deep healing, Pluto retrograde certainly has the potential to and will most likely shake things up ... and when it changes directions either stationing direct or retrograde, it has the annoying habit of bringing things from deep within, especially secrets and wrongdoings, that we would prefer to be kept there ... and one thing is absolutely for sure where Pluto is involved whether in forward or retrograde motion - 

THERE WILL BE UPHEAVAL, CHANGE, TRANSFORMATION, REBIRTH AND HEALING !!! 

THE DESIRE TO NURTURE AND/OR BE NURTURED IN ONES LOVE RELATIONSHIPS AS WELL AS THE HEIGHTENED LOVE OF FOOD AND "OTHER" THINGS !!!

 

VENUS - the planet of love, affection, attraction, social interactions and desires as well as the ruler of the 2nd and 7th houses of the natural zodiac - began its emotional swim through the nurturing, intuitive sign of Cancer on Sunday, May 7th, at 10:25 AM EDT  ... Venus was last in Cancer from July 17th/18th through August 11th, 2022 !!!  

Venus transiting through a WATER sign such as this, ruled by the Moon, takes on an even more emotional rather than an intellectual connection to everything it is attracted to ... Venus in Cancer enjoys home, food, nurturing and/or dependency ... it can be very sensitive and protective in relating to people, and it appreciates emotional warmth and attachments ... affection is expressed protectively, tenaciously and in a nurturing manner ... pleasure is found through security ... ones comfort level may well depend on feeling like part of a "family" !!!



Venus in Cancer produces a preference to share within a very closely attached group ... if one should lack faith under this energy, there could be a result of moodiness, shyness, over protection - including self and others, and stinginess which could interfere with the potential for closeness and the ability to enjoy life ... money and possessions are usually handled cautiously ... there is a desire to nurture and/or be nurtured in ones love relationships ... closeness involves dependency, care taking and receptivity ... this Venus energy can be somewhat thin-skinned and truly needs to hear the words "I love you" often !!!

Venus in Cancer shows us to learn to love oneself as well as others through the process of nurturing ... it believes that home is indeed where the heart is ... the expression of love here is tied into the need to give or receive comfort and security ... there is the trap to become so concerned with receiving love that you forget the quality and quantity of love you actually give ... this love is usually of the most instinctive kind ... there is a romantic leaning towards the sentimental ... there also comes a rather changeable nature in showing or accepting affection which usually is a result of doubts about ones own attractiveness ... home and family are central to ones happiness here ... there is the possibility that one possesses cooking, decorating, or other domestic skills under this energy ... sometimes the fear of change and/or disruption within the home and family produce worry which physically expressed manifests in the form of stomach or throat problems ... the  energy of Venus in Cancer can be expressed the following ways:

POSITIVE: gentle, kind, tender, romantic, sentimental, sensitive, compassionate, dreamy, devoted, loyal, unselfish, dependable, caring, protective, motherly, sympathetic, home-making, reassuring, comforting

NEGATIVE: timid, gooey, fawning, easily hurt, moody, muddled, clingy, too attached, weak-willed, dependent, fussy, shy, insecure, fears unfamiliar, gluttonous, vulnerable, taking others for granted, emotional threatening, inhospitable



Cancer born individuals, this is your time to "glow" as Venus moves through your birth sign and shines its "love light" on you ... be nice and kind enough and you just might get what you ask for !!!

Venus now joins Mars currently transiting through the sign of Cancer ... Venus remains in the sign of Cancer until June 5th !!!

And now for some "lovely" news ... this is the last full sign transit of Venus ere it takes its retrograde journey during 2023 ... this will be a 42 day Venus retrograde period completely in the sign of Leo occurring July 22nd through September 9th going from 28 degrees 36 minutes Leo back to 12 degrees 12 minutes Leo ... Venus will almost get through Leo but not quite ... Venus will be in the sign of Leo from June through October a much longer than normal transit for Venus ... and just a reminder Leo naturally rules the 5th house which, among other things, includes romance, creativity and pleasure, hmmmmm ... Venus will enter its next shadow point on June 19th when it reaches 12 degrees 12 minutes Leo !!!

For the 30 days while Venus transits the sign of Cancer, try to relax and enjoy as the Universe is guiding us and teaching us how to gently navigate through the emotional "waters" of love ... perhaps we all now could try and use Mother Nature as a "role model" for how to nurture and nourish ourselves as well as others ... allowing others to sometimes lean on you will help prevent you from continuously leaning on others too much ... by admitting to our hopes and what hurts us we can ultimately encourage others to do so as well !!!

ONE IMPORTANT CAVEAT HERE - with the potential for the love of food, along with "other" things and you know exactly what I am talking about, being greatly heightened, as the old saying goes, ONE WHO INDULGES - BULGES ... in the case of this particular "loving" energy transit, it could be in more than one way, right ???  

THE CHALLENGE TO DISCOVER OUR TRUEST, DEEPEST, HIGHEST VALUES AND HOW TO EXPRESS THEM PHYSICALLY !!!

The SUN began its yearly transit through the patient, practical sign of Taurus on Thursday, April 20th, at 4:14 AM EDT ... the pace of life slows down somewhat and shifts into a slower mode of energy in Taurus which is an earth sign ... with the Sun in Taurus, we need comfort, to be recognized deliberately, thrive through ones own dependability, and have a drive for recognition which manifests itself through sensuality and/or personal possessions ... this energy is persistent, determined yet cautious !!!

Taurus is a feminine, fixed, earth sign therefore its tendency to nurture and comfort through a methodical but slower and more stable course of action ... its key phrase is "I Have" and its keyword is "stability" ... being a fixed sign, Taurus can appear to be quiet, affectionate, patient, stable, determined and practical, stubborn and resistant to change ... its symbol is the Bull and its glyph is the head and horns of the Bull - symbolically the glyph is a half-moon forming a cup that rests on the circle of the Sun ... the cup representing material wealth and power derived through the force of the will (the circle) ... the Bull can be strong, stubborn, plodding, and can be both fierce and gentle ... this energy can be quite headstrong but slow to anger .... HOWEVER ... when it does get angry LOOK OUT because it can become extremely furious !!!



Anatomically, Taurus rules the neck and the throat - there are a lot of Taurus born people that have beautiful speaking and singing voices, but their vulnerability is to colds, laryngitis, sore throats and thyroid problems ... Taurus is the sign directly opposite to Scorpio in the natural zodiac !!!

Taurus is ruled by the planet Venus - the Roman goddess of beauty and the arts, pleasure and the emotions ... Venus bestows an influence towards a love of luxury and exceptional creative ability ... it is NOT the planet of SEX for those of you who think otherwise!!! ... Venus rules the throat, chin, cheeks, and the sense of taste, art, culture, aesthetics, possessions, partners, beauty, charm, good taste, sentimentality, sweets and sugar, color, harmony, poetry, paintings, jewelry, singing, drama, and music ... it governs emotional contacts,  tenderness, moral character, marriage and unions of every kind as well as sociability, disposition, luxuries, pleasure and appreciation ... in your natal chart, the place where you find Venus shows what you really enjoy !!!



Taurus is the natural ruler of the 2nd house of the horoscope which is a house of substance with its keyword being "values" ... this house indicates financial affairs, possessions (excluding real estate), investments, earning  power, and any gain or loss through your own personal efforts ... it shows your inner talents and resources, your need for fulfillment, your emotional feelings, your sense of self-worth including your sense of values ... since there is a widespread belief that liberty is largely related to the money, the 2nd house is also the house of personal liberty ... it is also considered the house of material debt !!!



The Sun in Taurus show us how to live through learning to stabilize ... here we have the beauty (Venus) and the beast (the Bull) !!! ... the purpose of the Sun here is to help maintain the stability of earthly things ... one may find it surprising to realize that the important main possessions here are a sense of Earthly harmony and wholesomeness, and not necessarily a substantial amount of money and material possessions ... there is the distinct ability to endure change with this energy ... it is also interesting to note that - WHEN CHANGE HAS TO BE MADE AND SOMETHING MUST BE LET GO OF, WHEN YOU LET GO AND ENDURE THE CHANGE YOU ULTIMATELY DISCOVER HOW MUCH MORE STABLE THINGS ACTUALLY BECOME !!!



The greatest indication of values is beauty which is something that cannot be owned but only appreciated ... this energy likes stability, being attracted, natural things, time to think, and comfort and pleasure ... it does not like disruption, being pushed, being hurried and sensory deprivation ... the energy of the Sun in Taurus can be expressed in the following ways:


POSITIVE: earthy, sensuous/artistic, productive, practical provider, steadfast and stable, unruffled and calm, even-tempered, soothing, self-trusting, loyal, persevering, trustworthy, appreciative, admiring, affectionate, aesthetic, physically comforting, magnetically healing, attractive

NEGATIVE: materialistic, gross and extravagant, plodding and ponderous, sluggish and lazy, boneheaded, boring, self-satisfied, possessive, stubborn, bigoted/fanatical, self-gratifying, idolatrous, lecherous, aloof, unaware of the "unseen", sucker for good looks, easily attached



HAPPY SOLAR RETURN TAURUS BORN !!! ... you are beginning a new Solar year ... this is your time to "SHINE" while all of us try to incorporate your natural born energy into our daily lives and learn through experiencing it !!!



We are all now being challenged to try to discover our truest, deepest and highest values and then realize how well we can express them physically ... hopefully one will come to the realization during the next thirty days that the value of Earthly things is simply that they serve to keep bodies happy and  healthy !!!



The Sun joins Mercury, currently retrograde, and Uranus - already grazing, quite rebelliously no doubt, transiting through Taurus ... the Sun remains in Taurus until May 21st !!!



So that hectic pace of  the Sun in Aries which is often a more restless, feeling of being helpless, begins to diffuse and slows down to a point hopefully allowing our feet to be more firmly planted beneath us as we strive for security ... just be careful about becoming so bullish on trying to get life back to whatever the new normal will become, you don't end up making unwise decisions and get too carried away by your frustrated emotions !!!

And certainly the burning question here is just how productive will this energy end up being with Mercury retrograde energy in Taurus as well for 24 days of this 34 day solar transit ???

But for now, let's all get out there, carefully and cautiously, and grab this crazy thing we call life by those proverbial "Taurus horns" - OLE !!! 

A RAGING CURRENT OF COSMIC CHAOS AND CONFUSION ??? - TIME TO SINK OR SWIM ... AGAIN !!!

  

MERCURY began its second RETROGRADE journey for 2023 today, April 21st, at 4:53 AM EDT, with this one being the first full complete retrograde this year as we came into 2023 under a Mercury retrograde that began on December 29th, 2022 ... as always if you've been following my blogs, then you know exactly what to expect during a Mercury Retrograde - EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED !!!  

This second Mercury retrograde period for 2023 is completely in the sign of Taurus ... this Mercury retrograde will go from 15 degrees 37 minutes Taurus back to 5 degrees 50 minutes Taurus ... this will be a 23 day Mercury retrograde period  !!!

Some of you may have noticed the backward energy beginning to make itself apparent already as Mercury entered its shadow point - the point where it will come out of the retrograde on May 14th - back on April 7th when it reached 5 degrees 50 minutes of Taurus ... it practically goes without saying that things somehow just don't seem to go right or as we planned, and we often find ourselves RE-DOING - think of all the words that begin with the letters "RE" - things especially after Mercury stations back into direct motion ... of course  it is not unusual to have people from our past come back around but it usually ends up being for only what I refer to as a "pass and review" ... obviously there is always the chance that something done within a previous Mercury retrograde may come back to "bite" us and require that we address the issue and resolve it !!!

During a Mercury retrograde period it can be said that we are in a mental "down time" and often things will not register on a conscious level with us ... it is said that the use of Mercury retrograde cycles are to reconnect the individual with the Universal rhythm and get back in sync with it ... if you've had a natal chart done and know in which house or houses these signs and degrees fall, then you will probably get an idea of where in life the Universe is asking you to step back and take a closer look at what you are doing in that area of your life especially in regard to your mental processing and communicating ... it's where issues most often will arise for you in addition to the other general issues that can annoy everyone during the retrograde period !!!

Don't be surprised if issues arise from previous Mercury retrogrades that need to be addressed or simply let go of because they never worked out for some reason ... Mercury was last retrograde from December 29th, 2022 through January 18th of this year ... before that the most recent Mercury retrograde periods included September 10th - October 2nd, May 10th - June 3rd, and January 14th - February 4th all occurring in 2022 !!!

It is very important to understand that planetary retrogrades are NOT ALWAYS the harbingers of doom and gloom ... even though it is true they can cause disruption and misunderstandings, we have to realize these are simply Universal "time outs" which give us the opportunity to drop back and rethink and review our actions being generated by the planet which is retrograde, especially as the energy relates to the sign and house and or houses in ones natal chart that planet is currently transiting through ... bottom line - though we often joke about it, retrogrades shouldn't always be feared and dreaded but perhaps approached cautiously ... the Universe is giving us a chance to right our wrongs and redirect ourselves to achieve more beneficial personal and spiritual growth !!! 

Obviously communications are going to be challenged both to and from others - partnerships and relationships often hit the skids during these periods ... it is NOT a good time to make major purchases - especially Cars, a big NO NO - and that goes double for USED CARS ... nor is it a good time to purchase 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 during the retrograde period .... it is also not a good idea to enter into contracts or start new jobs as they will most likely not pan out and end up being dead ends ... and weddings, well I know it takes a long time to plan a wedding and some of them will just have to go on as planned, but if you can avoid a wedding in a Mercury Retrograde - DO IT !!! .... obviously one cannot put their life on hold, but if there is any way to hold off on these things until Mercury turns direct, it would prove beneficial in the long run !!!

I have frequently found that in some natal charts I've done, people born under a Mercury retrograde sometimes seem to thrive during these periods because they innately understand the backward energy and how to work with it ... if you proceed with a wedding have someone mark the time you are officially pronounced married and then have a reputable astrologer run a natal chart for the "birth" of the partnership .... then look in which house retrograde Mercury falls and you might get an idea in what area of life problems could potentially arise within the relationship !!!

Mercury retrograde in Taurus, ruled by Venus, will certainly cause relationships to be given a serious reviewing and rethinking if there is something that needs to be addressed  ... Mercury in Taurus already "slows" down the mental process with Taurus being an Earth sign, and adding retrograde energy to it just complicates matters ... if you've had a natal chart done and know where 15 degrees 37 minutes back to 5 degrees 50 minutes degrees of Taurus lies in your chart, then you may get a good idea as to what this Mercury retrograde has in store for you !!!  

Taurus is the natural ruler of the 2nd house, a house of substance, of the horoscope ... as such, in addition to the usual suspects of a Mercury retrograde, there is the potential for issues regarding financial affairs, possessions (except real estate), investments, earning power, any gain or loss through your own effort, your inner talents and resources, your need for fulfillment, your emotional feelings, your sense of self-worth, your sense of values and your material debt !!!

Venus is the ruling planet of Taurus, so there could also be issues arising as well in the areas of art, culture, aesthetics, partnerships - more in particular to personal ones, beauty, charm, good taste, sentimentality, sweets and sugar, poetry, paintings, jewelry, singing, drama, music, emotional contacts, moral character, marriages, unions of all kinds, sociability, disposition, luxuries, pleasures and appreciation !!!

Venus also happens to be the natural planetary ruler of the 7th house, via ruling the sign of Libra as well ... so there is also the potential for issues to arise with marital and business relationships, marriage, divorce, contracts, lawsuits, bargain, agreements, dealings with the public and the public's response, open enemies, your cooperation or lack thereof with others, what you most lack in yourself, attitudes towards marriage - your mate, the kind and quality of the marriage, how many marriages you may have, grandparents, and any people who act as your agent or act on your behalf !!!

In regards to overall health, remember Mercury is the natural planetary ruler of the 6th house which rules health, so there could be more chances to have health issues in general during a Mercury retrograde ... in Taurus  there could be issues that arise with the throat and neck as these are the anatomical areas of the body Taurus rules as well as the chin, cheeks and sense of taste these being the anatomical areas Venus rules !!!

A Mercury retrograde period is usually not a good time to have surgery as the healing process could be slowed down or there could be the chance of complications resulting in having to go back at a later date and take care of something that wasn't done correctly - especially in regards to cosmetic surgery !!! ... now this applies to elective surgery ... as for emergency surgery, we have no control over that and trying to put that off might produce catastrophic results !!!

To RE-PEAT, Mercury retrogrades are simply a time for reviewing and revision - as the saying goes, "it might be a good idea to drop back and punt" !!! 

Gemini and Virgo born, as this is your planetary ruler, it is once again time for you to step back to review and re-evaluate what has been going on in your life particularly since January 18th ... have you moved to fast on some particular course of action, and is it now time to redirect that initiative or simply end it and move on once Mercury stations direct again ???

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 (May 14th)

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 May 14th !!!

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 May 14th, you will 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, dear heart ???

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

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


BACK TO ME NOW .... Those born between April 22nd and May 13th will definitely get Mercury retrograde in their solar return - birthday chart - for the year ahead ... those born April 21st and May 14th may or may not get this retrograde energy depending on what time their solar return occurs this year ... below is a repeat explanation of what it means to have Mercury Retrograde for the whole year in your birthday chart summed up by Mary Fortier Shea in her book titled "Planets in Solar Return":

"The significance of having Mercury retrograde in your yearly birthday chart or, as we refer to it in Astrology, a Solar Return ...

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

Mercury is usually retrograde in a solar return chart every six years ... during this time it's best to be introspective ... you should be learning and thinking on your own rather than depending on others ... the mind  is like an overstuffed drawer seriously in need of re-filing and reorganization ... in other words the time has come to "process" ... the mental processes are not very receptive to new information at this time ... it's time to go back and re-examine and review things in your life which may have been started but not carried through to fruition or maybe interrupted and suddenly abandoned for some reason ... by focusing inward you might be able to see that your own opinions, thoughts and decisions work best for you rather than those made by others ... at the same time be very receptive to the feedback others are giving you especially if you have missed the mark in regard to some endeavor ... another side effect of this energy is secretiveness where you decide to withhold information or sometimes outright lie ... and why ??? .. because you have secrets that need to be kept or else were you to express your opinions and thoughts outwardly it could cause tension in your relationships ... have plenty of ice cream around to soothe the tongue you are most likely going to have to bite frequently this year !!! ... this is a great year to keep a journal and put your thoughts down on paper and also to write original material ... sometimes you can see things differently when thoughts and ideas are written down which is a very helpful way to get organized ... this is a year where you will probably realize old opinions and beliefs are now outdated thus encouraging you to reassess your thinking, reformulate previously developed ideas, and shed new light on something on some level of your life that needs to be addressed ... It doesn't really have to be a bad year ... done wisely, fast forwarding to the past and clearing out the "clutter", you can propel yourself further ahead in life than you originally may have thought !!! "

Mercury remains retrograde until May 14th at 11:17 PM EDT ... there will undoubtedly be lights going ON in our heads as well as other lights going OUT while this Mercury Retrograde energy produces its cosmic disruption 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 ... tempers will flare and patience may become scarce, but that personal sense of humor, being one of your greatest allies, should be called upon frequently as the Mercury Retrograde merrily wreaks havoc and/or bestows enlightenment to each one of  us !!! 

In the end my fellow beings of light, as this second Mercury Retrograde period of 2023 is now upon us, the question as always once again is : Will we become the constant victim of Cosmic Chaos, become the recipient of great Cosmic Clarity ... or BOTH ??? 

Best to go with the flow and not try to swim upstream against a raging current of cosmic confusion in order to stay afloat and successfully navigate the tempest tossed sea of cosmic chaos and confusion that Mercury retrogrades have the potential to produce !!!

LISTEN WITH YOUR HEART - EXPRESSING YOUR FEELINGS VERBALLY WITHOUT BEING OVERBEARING TO OPEN NEW DOORS SOCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY !!! !!! !!!

 

VENUS  - the planet representing love, affection, attraction, beauty, happiness, value and values, indulgence, superficiality, social and artistic expression, and harmony - began its transit through the charming and versatile sign of Gemini today, April 11th, at 12:47  AM EDT ... This Venus is both lighthearted and emotionally objective, and Gemini, being an air sign, encourages Venus to move about a lot ...VARIETY is indeed the spice of life which includes objects, foods, experiences, and most importantly PEOPLE ... Venus was last in Gemini from May 22nd/23rd through July 17th/18th, 2022 !!!

Venus in Gemini likes intellectual stimulation as much as romance ... this Venus can be "fickle as a pickle" as there is a tendency towards a lack of commitment since Gemini makes Venus way too lighthearted to remain in one place for too long and can cause it to be very flirty ... often there is literary talent along with a love of language as well as sociability ... it enjoys mental stimulation as well as learning ... there is a pronounced casual air in relating to people ... this Venus just loves good ideas ... affection is expressed playfully, youthfully, verbally and lightheartedly ... the handling of money and possessions is usually objective and logical !!! 

Venus in Gemini is extremely oral, so to speak, as it thrives on good communications and intellectual give-and-take in love relationships ... flirting and engaging in superficial relationships could occur due to the desire for a lot of variety and new stimulation as well as a desire to keep things cool and steer clear of too much emotional intensity ... intelligence and quick wit is highly attractive here ... this Venus enjoys being amused and entertained, otherwise there will be the tendency to look over ones shoulder at whoever is passing by ... Venus in Gemini is frequently drawn towards younger partners !!!

Venus in Gemini bestows the lesson to us that the most effective way we learn to love is through communicating ... it can be a sparkling personality ... there is a strong desire here to prevent stagnation and maintain fluidity so if you fall in love under this energy blindly expecting security and predictability you could be in for great disappointment ... Venus in Gemini is a budding love rather than love in full bloom so it has to be allowed to develop ... loving through communicating means letting the one you love know it rather than sitting on your feelings ... this Venus likes to get around - it is said that sexual or family ties are your "heart", but it is the diversity of social relationships that are the "lungs" which breathe life into your very being ... being a sign of duality, Gemini will cause Venus to be more aware of what it wants than what it thinks it wants ... it is most likely that under this energy one will only attract what they truly desire ... the energy of Venus in Gemini can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: amusing and friendly, coolly affectionate, light-hearted, emotionally objective, socially at ease, emotionally buoyant, stimulating company, lively conversationalist, ear to the ground, good-humored, expressive, agile and witty, socially adaptable, emotionally flexible, well-connected, charming, courteous, tactful, co-operative

NEGATIVE: overly flirtatious, flippant and flighty, makes light of others feelings, emotionally distant, social butterfly, superficial values, lack of commitment, meaningless banter, shallow gossip, empty gestures, verbose, restless and fickle, double standards, inconsistent partner, social opportunist, insincere, easy come - easy go

Gemini born individuals, this is your time to "glow" and become more "attractive" - the "love light" is shining on YOU ... as always, you should seek out and ask for what you want ... you just might get it !!!

Venus now joins Mercury currently in transit through the sign of Gemini ... obviously there is the potential for a lot of communication and thinking that will occur in reference to who and/or what it is we think we are attracted to ... Venus remains in Gemini until May 7th ... keep in mind that Venus is now considered to be in a planetary "relationship" with Mercury which is the ruler of Gemini ... so just how effective or productive will this transit be as Mercury takes its first full retrograde journey for 2023 from April 21st through May 14th completely in the sign of Taurus which happens to be ruled by Venus ... and therein lies the rub so to speak ... they will be considered to be in mutual reception but one, Venus, will be going forward and the other one, Mercury, backwards ... got to love that cosmic sense of humor ... or not !!! 

Speaking of retrogrades, there is only one more full sign transit, that being Cancer, for Venus to complete ere it begins its retrograde journey for 2023 completely in the sign of Leo which is the sign that naturally rules the 5th house of romance, creativity and pleasure - look out !!! ... Venus will be retrograde from July 22nd through September 4th going from 28 degrees 36 minutes back to 12 degrees 12 minutes Leo ... Venus enters its next shadow point on June 19th when it reaches 12 degrees 12 minutes Leo !!! 

During this transit, try your best listening to your heart and not your own voice as well as other peoples voices ... others will appreciate you if you truly appreciate them ... expressing your feelings verbally, without being overbearing, will open new doors both socially and emotionally ... time to get out there and experience the reality of variety truly being the spice of life ... and while you're at it, you just might become proficient at speaking the "language" of  LOVE !!!  

A HIGHLY PRACTICAL AND GROUNDED MINDSET THAT SOMETIMES CAN GET STUCK IN MENTAL RUTS !!!

  

MERCURY began its highly focused and concentrated transit through the sign of Taurus today, April 3rd, at 12:22 PM EDT ... our mode of thinking and communicating now shifts from the rapid fire energy of Aries into the slower and more methodical energy of Taurus ... Mercury was last in the sign of Taurus from April 10th through June 13th, 2022 - a longer than normal transit for Mercury due to a retrograde period embedded in the transit, and that will be the case again this time !!!

The keyword for this energy is "factual" !!! ... here the mind and tongue work deliberately and steadily with the tendency to sometimes get stuck in mental ruts ... this energy can be highly practical and grounded ... business skills or any activity that incorporates the use of common sense usually accompanies this energy ... often there can be learning through tactile contact or actual physical manipulation of the world ... perceptions can often be limited due to a desire to learn slowly and carefully ... there is a desire to bring ideas down to earth, and there are usually interests in money, sensuality and physical comfort  !!!

Mercury in Taurus loves to read - ANYTHING !!! ... time is taken in order to arrive at all decisions ... this Mercury likes to "sleep on it" and needs solid, tangible, physical proof in order to really believe in anything ... the thought pattern is developed in terms of worth thus making "value" the ultimate selling point ... there is usually an excellent memory bestowed by this mercurial energy and it makes one a good observer but ironically one is apt to listen inattentively as their mind is almost always already made up and will rarely be changed !!! ... even though there is a love of reading, it is ultimately realized here that experience teaches one the most valuable lessons in life !!!

Mercury in Taurus helps us to think through stabilization ... it's all about the concrete mind - SEEING IS BELIEVING !!! ... the mind here likes to chew things over and over in order to acquire a true depth of knowledge ... and frequently because this energy takes longer to reach a decision, opportunities may be missed ... this energy has its definite likes and dislikes ... there is more of a taste for the traditional rather than the abstract and the avant-garde - leave that to Mercury in Aquarius, and one finds it is steady working habits that produce thorough and solid results ... ultimately there is a gift given here to see how any plan will work out in physical terms ... the energy of Mercury in Taurus can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: sound mind, thorough, patient, cautious, shrewd, resourceful, sensible, realistic, good concentration, mentally sure, deliberating, practical thinker, sense of form, steady mind, enduring, mentally laid-back, docile, undemanding

NEGATIVE: slow minded, plodding, tardy, guarded, mean-minded, money-grubbing, boneheaded, one-track-minded, overburdened, limited thinker, stubborn mind, lazy-minded, dumb, misses the point, couch potato

Mercury now joins Venus and Uranus already in transit through Taurus !!!

Mercury will not complete its full transit through Taurus until June 11th due to its upcoming second retrograde journey for 2023 ... this will occur from April 21st through June 15th going from 15 degrees 37 minutes back to 5 degrees 50 minutes Taurus ... Mercury enters its next shadow point on April 7th when it reaches 5 degrees 50 minutes Taurus !!!

Taurus born individuals, are you beginning to feel the tempo picking up in your thinking and communicating somewhat or at least being inspired with many new ideas ??? ... now is your chance - along with the rest of us - to get a lot accomplished and get our minds anchored to a firmer foundation of rational and practical thinking with this earth energy !!!

Thinking and rethinking is exactly what Mercury in Taurus naturally likes to do and will do over and over during this extended transit ... and that is no "BULL" !!!