THE SPIRITUAL WARRIOR ??? ... EXTREMELY DRIVEN WITH GREAT ENDURANCE, STRONG DESIRES AND INTENSE COMPULSIONS !!!

MARS - planet of initiative, courage, sexual drive, raw energy, as well as selfishness, abuse and even violence at its worst - blazed its way into and began its intense and extremely intimate transit through the "wicked", driven, probing sign of Scorpio today, October 12th, at 12:04 AM EDT ... when Mars transits through the sign of Scorpio one thing can be said for sure - LOOK OUT !!! ... Fire (Mars) and Water (Scorpio) usually end up producing STEAM - but whether or not that will be irritating and uncomfortable or deliciously sensual steam depends on the situation you become involved in  ... how many of you will find yourselves beginning to become really fired up and driven about pursuing something and/or someone as the days and weeks progress - and months in the particular case of this transit of Mars - feeling intense and full of energy, rather irritated about something or just plain extra horny - more so than usual in some cases ... hmmm ??? ... Mars was last in Scorpio from October 30th through December 13th, 2021 ...  anything come to mind from that period in your life in regards to that transit of Mars ???

Mars is the "ancient" ruler of Scorpio ... after all, Pluto, the current ruler and also referred to as co-ruler, was not discovered until 1930 ... so this can be a very beneficial placement, even though it has the potential to lose some of its punch in a water sign, as Mars is very comfortable in this sign ... in fact many astrologers would agree that Mars is "dignified" in the sign of Scorpio !!! .... it can get an enormous amount accomplished, but how it is done becomes the question - productively or destructively ???

Mars in Scorpio produces energy that is EXTREMELY DRIVEN, and that would be a huge understatement !!! ... this energy can give one an increased confidence in ones own personal power, make one very intense, driven and confrontational, but also can make one sexy, compassionate and incisive ... there are apt to be strong desires, compulsions, and a need to thrive on challenges ... some desires may be achieved here only by transforming some intense emotions ... the urge to control others is great along with a susceptibility to becoming vengeful, resentment, and a lack of trust in others resulting if one goes too far ... there is great endurance with this energy as well as all-or-nothing tendencies !!!



And the SEX DRIVE - CAN WE TALK ??? - is unbelievably pronounced when influenced by this energy ... there is an incredible amount of stamina bestowed ... most people born with natal Mars in Scorpio understand that sex is a natural bodily function and they can go at it all night long and the next morning pick up where they got off - oops, I guess I should rephrase that and say where the left off !!! - and start all over again unless of course something else is modifying this energy in their chart by natal placement or due to transits or progressions ... they also are usually not the least bit inhibited about talking about sex and some will be very experimental in their approach to satisfying this drive ... and at the very least these people will be very driven about something and/or someone ... the house placement at birth would give a good clue as to what it's all about ... for the rest of us, we will get a good clue about the drive of this transit depending on what area of life the house or houses rule where 30 degrees of Scorpio is found in your natal chart !!!

Mars in Scorpio can be very angry about something but you may never know it ... it will forgive but NEVER forget!!! ... it will eventually get retribution in some form but, since it has tenacity, it might not be right away ... this is the natural planning and plotting energy of the zodiac!!! ... Mars in Scorpio can make people a very dangerous enemy as they may hold grudges and nurse anger like steam in a pressure cooker until it explodes and the effects can be disastrous ... there is also the extra ability to recover from physical strain here more so than any other placement !!!

The tremendous emotional intensity here gives one relentless courage and a thoroughness in executing their direct intentions ... Mars in Scorpio can lead to the greatest level of spiritual achievement or to the lowest depths of moral degradation and destruction depending on how the energy is used ... while this energy can make one very secretive and not reveal their plans or actions without good reason, there is a need here to learn greater detachment and objectivity !!!

Mars in Scorpio shows us all about how we get what we want through our desires ... the powerful sense of survival and sexuality becomes intertwined here ... it gives one a kind of magnetic intensity that can illicit a response from others whether or not you are actually looking for it ... the inherent strength and power of Mars in Scorpio is the ability to heal or transform the environment in some way and this begins with your self-image ... there is absolutely no equal to this energy when it comes to pushing for changes and improvements where they are most needed whether its for personal evolution or the evolution of society ... the possible effects of Mars in Scorpio energy are as follows:

POSITIVE: charismatic, highly sexed, irresistible, emotionally rich, strong-willed, indestructible, forceful, courageous, thorough, exhaustive, determined, ambitious, probing, healing, discreet, perceptive, passionate, deep, powerful

NEGATIVE: megalomaniac, degrading, dissipated, resentful, stubborn, self-destructive, brutal, seething, cruel, exhausting, relentless, ruthless, prying, manipulative, devious, caustic, jealous, dark, cold-blooded, revengeful

Mars remains in Scorpio until November 24th ... Scorpio born individuals, this is a period where you become even more energized while Mars is in your birth sign - just be careful not to "incinerate" or steam roll over others with this extra boost you receive !!! ... Aries born, you may find a highly compulsive drive during the same time period to dig deep down and solve the "mystery" of some situation or person that has become the object of your desire !!!

Mars is currently transiting through Scorpio all by itself, but given its power and the state of affairs in the world at present, that might be just enough for now ... but ALWAYS remember, there is never just one planet and its energy in play at a time ... there are multiple planetary energies interacting with one another at any given time, and the results can be either very beneficial or downright challenging and in some cases highly disastrous !!!



Mars in Scorpio yields the potential to get a lot accomplished if it involves work that requires highly concentrated and disciplined energy ... and ultimately, who and/or what you may be driven towards pursuing in hopes of it ending with a "bang" may only wind up ending with a weak little whimper !!!

WHAT IS SEEKING AND WILL SURFACE TO "THE LIGHT OF DAY" - FOR GOOD OR CHALLENGING IN ALL OUR LIVES ???

 

PLUTO - associated with death, rebirth, transformation, change, upheaval, healing and renewal - completes its retrograde journey for 2023 today, October 10th, at 9:10 PM EDT ... Pluto has been in retrograde motion since May 1st going from 0 degrees 21 minutes Aquarius back to 27 degrees 53 minutes Capricorn and there undoubtedly has been a lot of reexamination on many levels of changes both we as individuals and as a society have been involved in !!!

Now that Pluto is stationing back into direct motion, things could start to surface that we may have been seeking information about ... secrets will surely begin to be exposed and those involved will most likely be brought into public awareness even if they did not want their questionable actions to see the light of day !!! ... during the retrograde period we have all been trying to understand how we individually impact the Earth and other people as well ... Pluto is about to finally complete its transit through the sign of Capricorn on December 20th, 2025, but it will just dip into Aquarius once again ere it takes its next retrograde journey and returns to the 29th degree of Capricorn, on September 1st/2nd, 2024 depending on which time zone in which you live, for some last minute business  ... there are definitely going to continue to be issues arising concerning big business, the economy, the land and governmental policy changes that affect everyone !!!




Pluto tends to expose the "dark side" of things and bring it into the light even when it is not what some would like ... we are  currently witnessing what could be referred to as the shakedown of governmental lawbreakers as well as intense scrutiny of the very process of the way the government is functioning - or not !!! ... also people are empowering themselves to make authority serve the true needs of all people and the planet as well !!!

There are two groups of people that are most likely feeling the effects of this powerful shift even though we all will on some level in our lives ... Scorpio born individuals, this is your ruling planet so now it's time to come out of your period of review and reflection which began around May 1st and start implementing changes or be prepared for change and transformation !!!



My fellow Capricorn individuals, we are going through massive personal change, upheaval, transformation and even healing and "rebirth" as this energy is making an added impact for us since Pluto is moving through our birth sign, the transit actually beginning in January of 2008, and will not complete its full transit through our sign until 2025 due to its lengthy retrograde journeys and slow movement - after all it takes about 248 years to complete one journey around the zodiac !!!



In fact during this transit my fellow Capricorns, Pluto has either crossed over or will be crossing over, or be conjunct as we refer to it, at some point your natal Capricorn Sun placement at birth with the potential to bring vast sweeping changes to your life - it has been scrubbing back and forth over my natal 27 degree Capricorn Sun since August 21st, 2021 and won't be through until the end of October this year and I am more than ready for it to move on ... and I had just finished experiencing an 18 year long transit of Pluto transiting through my 1st house as well from 2000 through 2018 - I could write a book !!! ... it is very important that you do something NOW during this transit in order to move forward productively on your path in life ... the changes may be difficult and challenging but should not be feared as they are necessary and will bring about the birth of something new in your life that will be beautiful and remarkable !!!



For those of you who have had a natal chart done and know in which house 27 degrees 53 minutes Capricorn falls, you most likely will feel some kind of power shift or impact in that area of your life from Pluto stationing back into direct motion ... in fact, it's intensity has really been building since roughly September 20th when Pluto reentered the 27 degree area where it would eventually station direct today !!!



Pluto remains in direct motion until May 2nd, 2024 when it begins its next retrograde journey at 2 degrees 6 minutes Aquarius ... Pluto re-enters the sign of Aquarius once again on January 20th, 2024 !!!



We all should now be prepared for an outward upheaval, tearing down, death - not necessarily always physical, rebirth, transformation, change and even the potential for deep healing somewhere in our lives and/or within society - understanding not only that this process is absolutely necessary for personal as well as spiritual growth, but more importantly we should always be prepared to expect the  unexpected !!!

Now that Pluto has completed its retrograde journey for 2023 and begins its forward motion, things may truly once again, if they haven't already, begin to SHAKE ... RATTLE ... AND ROLL !!! 

EXACTING, DISCRIMINATING AND/OR CRITICAL AND DEMANDING WHEN RELATING TO OTHER PEOPLE !!!

   

VENUS - which exited its retrograde zone yesterday, October 7th, when it returned to 28 degrees 36 minutes Leo where it began its retrograde journey for 2023 back on July 22nd - finally completes its transit through Leo which began back on June 5th and begins its transit through the picky, detailed oriented sign of Virgo today, October 8th, at 9:11 PM EDT ... Venus was last in Virgo from September 5th through September 29th, 2022 ... Venus in Virgo is considered to be in its "fall" and therefore its effectiveness can be greatly challenged ... being in its "fall", Venus is opposite the sign where it is exalted in which is Pisces ... it does not work all that efficiently because this position makes it difficult to express its true nature ... a planet in "fall" is like having to stay in someone else's home where you do not really feel all that comfortable !!!

Venus in Virgo, which produces a highly discerning type of love, enjoys competence, precision, and doing things the way they should be done - CORRECTLY !!! ... it is exacting, discriminating and/or critical when relating to other people ... affection is usually expressed in a manner of doing things for people or serving them in some way ... it is also expressed modestly and/or timidly ... pleasure is achieved by functioning efficiently and being helpful especially in repairing things, situations or people !!!



Venus in Virgo enjoys analysis, precision and organizing details ... logic and common sense makes this Venus very comfortable ... the handling of money and possessions is usually practical and thrifty ... there is a desire for common sense and for a willingness to work in love relationships ... this Venus can be more sincerely affectionate than any other sign, can manifest a very strong business sense, and knows exactly what is does and does not want !!! ... it often has a tendency to get so involved in details it becomes overly critical and demanding !!!



Venus transiting the sign of Virgo encourages us to learn to determine what it is we truly love through detailed analysis ... ultimately one discovers that eventually you must surrender to the mystery of love and art - or objects thereof - and no longer analyze ... this energy can acquire a finely tuned sense of social, emotional, and artistic values ... one must also learn to be discriminating about being discriminating ... one must resist the temptation to tamper with what is already simply attractive ... this Venus likes a spotless reputation, good manners, sexual hygiene, and pure or natural art ... it doesn't like relationships that have no mental stimulus ... the energy of Venus in Virgo can be expressed in the following ways :


POSITIVE: knowing what you like, discriminating, fine sense of aesthetics and design, artistic, sincerely affectionate, simple and clear, quietly charming, strong character, impartially kind, coolly detached, helpful, precision worker, specialist worker, painstaking, pure and modest lover, high moral sense, socially discerning, privately sensuous


NEGATIVE : critical of partners, fussy and nagging, easily dissatisfied, artistically neurotic, inhibits affection, undemonstrative, dry, socially stiff, hides sensitivity, emotionally absent, cold exterior, too exacting, retreats into work, indecisive, restrained, feeling sexually inferior, puritanical, social misfit, self-effacing



Venus is the natural ruling planet of Libra and Taurus, and as such, love, partnerships/relationships, personal values and how we earn and spend our money will be thoroughly examined under the cosmic microscope while Venus is in the precision, detail oriented sign of Virgo which is naturally ruled by Mercury !!!



Venus is currently transiting through the sign of Virgo all by itself  ... Venus remains in Virgo until November 8th !!!

Virgo born, don't forget the "love light" is now shining on YOU - play it right and you might just get what you want if you DON'T over analyze and obsess over it too much !!! 

For all of us it would be very wise not to let the object of our affections become the "target" of our affections while we are all being encouraged by the Universe to be out there "looking for the perfect AHHHHHH" !!!  

HOW FLUENT ARE YOU IN SPEAKING AND COMMUNICATING THROUGH THE COSMIC "LANGUAGE" OF LOVE ???

MERCURY  began its transit through the, social, charming, persuasive sign of Libra yesterday, October 4th, at 8:09 PM EDT ... Mercury was last in Libra from August 25th through October 29th, 2022 - a longer than normal transit due to a retrograde period ... that will not be the case again this year !!! ... 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 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 encourages 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 now joins the Sun and Mars currently transiting through the sign of Libra ... Mercury has one more retrograde period to go for 2023 which begins on December 13th ... Mercury remains in Libra until October 22nd !!!

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 the Universe encourages each one of us to realize -

THE KEY TO MANIFESTING POSITIVE PERSONAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH IN LIFE IS TO SPEAK KINDLY AND THINK GOOD THOUGHTS !!! 

BRINGING ONES PARTNERSHIPS/RELATIONSHIPS BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INTO BALANCE, PEACE AND HARMONY !!!

The SUN began its transit through the charming, social but sometimes indecisive sign of Libra today, September 23rd, at 2:50 AM EDT   ... also known as the Autumnal Equinox - equal day and equal night - Summer 2023 is officially OVER !!!, at least in the Northern hemisphere (Spring or Vernal Equinox in the Southern hemisphere) - onward to colder weather, maybe - YEAH !!! ... OK, do I hear a few BOOS out there ??? 

The Sun is considered to be in its fall in the sign of Libra as this is the sign that is opposite to the one where it is considered to be in exaltation which is Aries !!! ... a planet in "fall" can have difficulty expressing its true nature ... it is said if a planet is in its fall, you are staying in someone else's home where you do not really feel comfortable !!!

The Sun in Libra encourages us to shine through cooperation, diplomacy, competition - one on one, and through aesthetic channels ... Libra is all about bringing things into balance and sometimes the desire to do so can create a situation where one continually bounces back and forth trying to come to a decision accidentally causing indecision or frustration instead !!!

Libra is the 7th sign of the natural zodiac ... it is a masculine, mutable (flexible/changeable), air sign ... its key phrase is "I balance" and its keyword is "Harmony" ... Libra is active, artistic, easygoing, peaceable, admires beauty and harmony, diplomatic, polished and extremely socially inclined ... its symbol is the scales which signifies balance, equilibrium, order and justice ... it is the sign opposite of Aries in the horoscope ... anatomically, Libra rules the lower back and the buttocks, and the kidneys ... natural born Libras are often subject to lower back strain and problems in the lumbar region as well as being subjected to kidney infections !!!

Libra is ruled by the planet Venus - makes sense doesn't it ??? - which is the second sign Venus naturally rules, the other being Taurus  ... Venus represents the social urge as well as sense of values ... Venus rules the throat, chin, cheeks and sense of taste ... Venus is all about relating - not sexually though - as well as being about people, art, emotions, marriage, luxury, possessions, pleasure and appreciation ... its keyword is "AFFECTION" ... if you've had a natal chart run, where you find Venus shows what you truly "love" and enjoy !!!

Venus naturally rules the 2nd house - a house of personal values, substance, earning power, inner talents and resources, need for fulfillment, emotional feelings, sense of self-worth, and a house of personal liberty and material debt ... Venus also naturally rules the 7th house - a house of face-to-face relationships and cooperation - or lack thereof, business and marital partnerships/relationships, divorce, contracts, lawsuits, dealings with the public, open enemies, a house showing what you most lack about yourself, and a house representing your grandparents and anyone who acts as your agent or on your behalf !!!

The Sun transiting through Libra encourages us to learn to live and grow through the way we relate - restoring balance or at least trying to do so ... it likes pleasant surroundings, peace and justice, a partner/companion, being gentle and kind, and anything artistic ... it is important to realize under this energy that areas where there is conflict, disharmony or injustice is where the art of Libra energy is greatly needed and ultimately appreciated ... the energy of the Sun in Libra can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: aesthetic, graceful, peaceful, calm, socially oriented, popular, co-operative, amenable, attractive, refined, subtle manner, high principles, idealistic, socially aspiring and aware, diplomatic, harmless, friendly, a good counselor

NEGATIVE: affected, superficial, non-committal, lazy, lacking self-reliance, indulgent, insincere, vain, easily upset, lacking confidence, compromising, peace at any price, elitist, class-conscious, indecisive, ingratiating, discordant

HAPPY SOLAR RETURN ALL LIBRA BORN - THIS IS YOUR TIME OF THE YEAR TO SHINE - especially now since your ruling planet has concluded its retrograde journey which occurred from July 22nd through September 3rd !!!



One of the key roles of Libra is to engage in social activities that blend the rough with the smooth ... one must learn that sensitivity requires both spiritual strength as well as awareness ... ones outward poise will remain intact as long as one learns to be subordinate to ones inner sense of values !!!

The Sun now joins Mars, currently in transit through Libra !!! ... The Sun remains in Libra until October 23rd  ... now would be an excellent time to make use of bringing ones partnerships/relationships both public and private into balance and harmony by making sure their foundations are solid especially after recently going through both a Venus and Mercury retrograde recently !!!




Ultimately, during this solar cycle, it would be an excellent idea to take the lyrical advice of Stephen Stills and - "love the one(s) you're with" !!!

OH RAPTURE ... OH JOY ... FINALLY BEGINNING TO GET UNSTUCK AND MOVE FORWARD ... SORT OF !!!

   

MERCURY completed its third retrograde journey for 2023 on Friday, September 15th, and stationed  back into direct motion at 4:21 PM EDT at 8 degrees of Virgo - once again, do I hear a BIG SIGH OF RELIEF ??? ... what revelations have you had or will have, either positive or challenging in regards to what you may have done while Mercury has been "scrubbing" over those degrees - 21 degrees 51 minutes Virgo back to 8 Virgo - forwards, then backwards and now forward again as it crosses back over them moving to exit its retrograde zone ... in which house or houses do these degrees fall in your natal chart giving you a clue as to what area of your life this retrograde may have affected you ???

Hopefully, some of the disorientation, confusion, frustration and outright irritation along with the sudden and unexpected issues that may have been produced by this Mercury retrograde will now begin to clear and subside as it becomes time to move forward cautiously into the swing of things on all levels !!!

Did any issues and complications or questioning arise in regards to things done during the last retrograde period from April 21st through May 15th ??? ... or maybe as far back as December 29, 2022 through January 18th, 2023 ??? ... and it's a sure bet that as Mercury moves forward once again crossing back over the degrees it covered during this retrograde period, issues may begin to arise meaning things begun and actions taken are certainly subject to potential review and revision - a never ending universal process but all for a good reason !!!




Mercury retrograde periods, even though annoying and extremely frustrating at times, are actually a very beneficial thing, especially for those who were strong and fearless enough to dig deep down, as we need to validate, or in some cases invalidate, actions and situations gone awry and deal with them in order to finally release them to produce a calmer, positive and more productive state of mind thus allowing us to move forward to bring about greater personal and spiritual growth !!! ... again, if you've had a natal chart done, you should look to see in which house or houses containing 21 DEGREES 51 MINUTES VIRGO back to 8 DEGREES VIRGO fall to determine what issues you may have had to deal with in the areas of life governed by those houses ??? ... how many of you went with the flow and how many of you tried to swim upstream in the raging current of Cosmic confusion ???



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

Relationships may have come to an end - some needed to and others may have jumped the gun and you are now wondering, or will be, why did I do that or end things during this period ...  how many of you had relationship issues surface or resurface - extremely likely in a Mercury retrograde - that you thought surely had been resolved or didn't even realize existed ???  ... how many of you began new actions within a relationship, personal or professional without waiting for the retrograde period to conclude ??? ... AND ... how many of you got married ??? 




Did anyone make any major purchases - homes, cars, electronics - that now don't seem like the best thought out course of action or that you are beginning to regret or will do so in the days ahead  ... there could be problems regarding any purchases made especially with anything where electrical energy and/or computers were involved ... all of these scenarios are possible as the energy of a Mercury retrograde is one where communications and mental energy is going "backwards" and rational decision making isn't always so sharp !!!




So now that the mental processing facilities are no longer going backwards - at least for most of us if you know what I mean - in regard to Mercury and its functions, it's time to finally RELEASE these emotional holds and allow ourselves to move forward with our lives ... let go of what is best left in the past so you can achieve greater personal and spiritual growth !!!

Mercury retrograding in Virgo could certainly have given rise to issues regarding daily work and service, health and nutrition, and possibly family issues ... as Virgo rules the intestinal area in the body, there could easily have been issues there as well in addition to other health issues in general that might have arisen as Mercury naturally rules the 6th house which includes health and nutrition !!!

As Mercury retrogrades in Virgo, Mercury in Virgo already "slows" down the mental process with Virgo being an Earth sign, and adding retrograde energy to it can just complicates matters where there is already the tendency to over analyze everything down to the last detail !!!! ... As Virgo is the natural ruler of the 6th house of the horoscope, one might also have encountered issues regarding employment, employees, tenants, servants, pets, dependents, service given to others, routine matters, your clothes and how you wear them, hygiene, interest in food and ones diet, sickness and all conditions affecting your health ... the 6th house also relates to ones aunts and uncles, self-adjustments and ones unconscious mind ... it is important to note that in the 6th house, work and health are linked together !!! 

Gemini and Virgo born, yet another period of review and reflection for you has come to an end

especially in regards to actions taken since May 15th when Mercury last stationed back into direct motion ... how have you been enlightened and how was your life affected by having your ruling planet Mercury retrograde ... your ruling planet now resumes forward motion and much to your delight so will you - even though you were probably trying to do it during the actual retrograde ... right, of course right - in fact many of us were doing the same thing !!!

Those of you born between August 24th and September 14th definitely got Mercury retrograde energy in your birthday (solar return) chart for the whole year ahead ... those born on August 23rd and September 15th may or may not have gotten this backward energy depending on the time of your solar return this year ... some of you got both Mercury and Venus retrograde in your solar return chart if you had birthdays from August 23rd and September 3rd ... below is a repeat explanation of what it means to have Mercury Retrograde for the whole year in your birthday chart:



The significance of having Mercury retrograde in your yearly birthday chart or, as we refer to it in Astrology, a Solar Return, is summed up below by Mary Fortier Shea in her book titled "Planets in Solar Return" :



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



Mercury is usually retrograde in a solar return chart every six years ... during this time it's best to be introspective ... you should be learning and thinking on your own rather than depending on others ... the mind is like an overstuffed drawer seriously in need of re-filing and reorganization ... in other words the time has come to "process" !!!



The mental processes are not very receptive to new information at this time ... it's time to go back and re-examine and review things in your life which may have been started but not carried through to fruition or maybe interrupted and suddenly abandoned for some reason ... by focusing inward you might be able to see that your own opinions, thoughts and decisions work best for you rather than those made by others ... at the same time be very receptive to the feedback others are giving you especially if you have missed the mark in regard to some endeavor !!!




Another side effect of this energy is secretiveness where you decide to withhold information or sometimes outright lie ... and why ??? .. because you have secrets that need to be kept or else were you to express your opinions and thoughts outwardly it could cause tension in your relationships ... have plenty of ice cream around to soothe the tongue you are most likely going to have to bite frequently this year !!!



This is a great year to keep a journal and put your thoughts down on paper and also to write original material ... sometimes you can see things differently when thoughts and ideas are written down which is a very helpful way to get organized ... this is a year where you will probably realize old opinions and beliefs are now outdated thus encouraging you to reassess your thinking, reformulate previously developed ideas, and shed new light on something on some level of your life that needs to be addressed !!!



It doesn't really have to be a bad year ... done wisely, fast forwarding to the past and clearing out the "clutter", you can propel yourself further ahead in life than you originally may have thought !!! "

Mercury now moves forward to conclude its full transit through Virgo which began back on July 28th and will end on October 4th/5th depending on which time zone in which you live ... Mercury will exit its retrograde zone on September 30th when it returns to 21 degrees 51 minutes Virgo the point where it began this retrograde period !!!

Just a reminder of what the energy of Mercury in Virgo is all about should you need a "refresher" :

Mercury in Virgo produces a more rational and efficient way of thinking and communicating sometimes to a fault  ... 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 4th, 2022 to begin with and then from September 23rd through October 10th, 2022 due to a retrograde period  !!!

Mercury in Virgo 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 into 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 avoid getting immersed in all the fine details ... learning is best achieved in an organized sequence and a logical presentation !!!

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 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 transiting through 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 remains in direct motion until December 13th when it begins its final retrograde journey for 2023 lasting until January 2nd, 2024 which will be a dual sign retrograde going from 8 DEGREES 29 MINUTES CAPRICORN back to 22 DEGREES 10 MINUTES SAGITTARIUS ... Mercury enters its next shadow point on November 25th when it reaches 22 degrees 10 minutes Sagittarius ... and yes we still have 5 other planets currently retrograde - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto !!!

But for now, try to begin moving forward and try to find ways to be grateful and thankful for all that you are blessed with even though there may be some difficult challenges occurring as well ... the Universe never lets us have anything "perfect" or "for free" because we are supposed to be in a constant state of enlightenment and illumination promoting personal and spiritual growth !!! 

VENUS DIRECT - LET YOUR LOVE FLOW ???

 

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 2023 and stationed back into direct motion today, September 3rd, at 9:20 PM EDT !!!

As previously mentioned, this Venus retrograde occurred from 28 degrees 36 minutes Leo back to 12 degrees 12 minutes Leo ... if you've had a natal chart done, did you find this backward energy more pronounced in whatever area of life ruled by the house or houses where these degrees fall ???

During this 42 day period, one of the main purposes of a transiting Venus retrograde was to reconsider relationship and acquisition needs as these change over time for all of us ... it should have become very important during this time to get in touch with ones present values, wants and needs, and to become clear about exactly what you want to attract and why ... is what you personally value inwardly being projected outwardly positively or was change needed on some level ??? ... and needless to say issues surrounding money and finances could have become big problems during the Venus retrograde ... these could potentially have become areas where you ended up having to spend money you hadn't counted on spending to correct !!!

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 back on July 22nd ... there are an abundance of possibilities within this scope ... a lot of people may have realized 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, or the other person did, perhaps too hastily  ... it is also possible the person may now 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 and for twelve days of this period Mercury was also retrograde ... time will tell ... marriages entered into during these times often have an added sense of pressure - after all, Venus does naturally rule the 7th house of marriage and partnerships !!! 

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 and for twelve days of this period Mercury was also retrograde ... time will tell ... marriages entered into during these times often have an added sense of pressure - after all, Venus does naturally rule the 7th house of marriage and partnerships !!! 

How many of you tied the knot, so to speak, during this retrograde period, and especially from August 23rd through September 3rd with Mercury retrograde as well in this period ??? ... hopefully, you had someone take note of when the union was officially pronounced so you could go to a reputable astrologer and have an event chart run to see where this challenging energy fell in the chart thus giving you somewhat of a clue in what areas of life issues may arise ... also, if you count the number of days from the day you were married until the end of the Venus retrograde, you can determine how many years Venus will be retrograde in the marriage chart ... this is called a progression, one method of forecasting, and is usually determined as day for a year ... for example, say you got married on August 1st, you would count 31, days in August, and 3 for the days in September that Venus was retrograde thus showing you that the Venus retrograde energy would be affecting the marriage chart for 34 years as Venus moves about 1 degree a year in a progressed chart !!!

Unfortunately, in this current economy, this could have also been the period where quite a few of you actually had your salary reduced or lost your job and are now job hunting once again, or have taken another job at a lower paying rate which may not pan out anyway is you started it during the retrograde period !!! ... again, 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 !!!

One of the main issues with Venus retrograde in Leo was reviewing and reflecting on your dedication and ambition to issues of romance, creativity and pleasurable pursuits ... also issues concerning children, your artistic expression, love affairs, amusements, holidays, vacations, games. speculation, hobbies, emotional attitude and the love you give, personal enterprises, sports, originality, creative outlets, dramatic, literary or artistic abilities, publication, politics, the fine arts, social affairs, pregnancy, education of children, groups you belong to which relate to you having fun - all of these areas addressed in the 5th house which is naturally ruled by Leo !!!

As the Sun is the planetary ruler of Leo and therefore the 5th house, issues could have potentially arisen concerning the main expression of the individual, qualities of leadership, success, the father, husband and men in general, health, vitality, authority and bosses, rank, title, high office, dignity, progress, energy, sense of identity and capacity for experience !!!

Issues could have arisen with art, culture, aesthetics, possessions, partners, beauty, charm, good taste, sweets and sugar, color, harmony, poetry, paintings, jewelry, singing, drama, music, emotional contacts, moral character, marriage and unions of all kinds, sociability, ones disposition, luxuries, pleasure and appreciation - all of these areas being ruled by Venus !!!

Issues could have arisen with financial affairs, possessions (except for real estate), earning power, any gain or loss through your own efforts, inner talents and resources, need for fulfillment, emotional feelings, sense of self worth, sense of values, personal liberty as liberty is usually a matter of money and material debt - all of these issues being addressed in the 2nd house of the natural zodiac which is ruled by Venus !!!

Issues could have arisen with face-to-face relationships both business, personal and marital partnerships, marriage, divorce, contracts, lawsuits, bargains, agreements - verbal and written, dealing with the public and their response, open enemies, cooperation or lack thereof with others, what you most lack in yourself, attitudes towards , marriage, your mate, the kind and quality of your marriage, how many marriages you may have/had, your grandparents, any people who act as your agent or on your behalf ... these issues being addressed in the 7th house of the natural zodiac which is also ruled by Venus !!!

Taurus, naturally ruled by 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 ... the kidneys, as Venus also naturally rules the sign of Libra, were potentially faced with issues; and possible issues with the heart, upper back, right eye of the male and left eye of the female with the Sun ruling the sign of Leo ... 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, or even possibly have to go back at some future date for some kind of correctional procedure !!!

Everyone should try and think back to the period between December 19th, 2021 through January 29th, 2022 - 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 or months ahead, or lie dormant until the next Venus retrograde period occurs in 2025 !!!

Taurus and Libra born individuals, your period for inward reflection and review - especially of what had transpired in your life since the end of the last Venus retrograde on January 29th, 2022 - 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 its usefulness in your life, and was not truly reflecting who you are on the inside as well as preventing personal and spiritual growth ...and this is also a possibility for all of us !!!

Venus stationed direct at 12 degrees 12 minutes Leo ... although now direct, Venus remains in it's retrograde zone -  the beginning degree at which Venus actually entered its retrograde journey back on July 22nd, which was 28 degrees 36 minutes Leo, where it must come back to - until October 7th ... then Venus will be considered back up to full speed once again ... and don't forget if you had a birthday from July 23rd through September 2nd, you have got this Venus retrograde energy for the whole year ahead per your solar return this time around  ... however, those born on July 22nd and September 3rd may or may not have gotten this energy in their solar return depending on the time your solar return actually occurred this time around ... 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 ... and one last point to bring up - Almost every Leo born, in addition to some early degree Virgo born, got this Venus retrograde energy in their solar return chart for the year ahead so obviously the Universe is dictating there are issues for all of you to address for the coming year up until your next birthday ... some of you got both Mercury and Venus retrograde in your solar return chart ... below I have re-posted the significance of Venus retrograde in your solar return chart for your convenience to refer to and refresh your memory !!!

The following is what astrologer Mary Fortier Shea has to say about having Venus retrograde in your birthday chart for the whole year and it may be helpful in understanding what you may be dealing with :

"Venus retrograde indicates a time of comparison and contrast. Your increased ability to distinguish and value inner qualities separate from external situations signals an opportunity to compare and contrast the importance of each. Relationships, finances, and priorities should all be reassessed on the basis of the inner qualities they exhibit in comparison to the external pleasure or stress that they generate. Your focus on internal values will tend to overshadow your need for external manifestation; consequently, you will make adjustments in your pursuit of materialistic and external goals.

Relationships are always more important for the love you give and receive than the external trappings; however, this issue will become more evident during this year. You may be in love with a special person who treats you wonderfully, but refuses to consider marriage. If you were attracted to this person because of his or her inner qualities, it is important to appreciate your feelings for one another, and not get hung up on the legalization process. During this year you will tend to assess relationships you see or experience for the inner and outer qualities which they possess or lax. You can always find others who have the external trappings you desire without genuine caring. (Example: a verbally abusive marriage.)

External, artificial indicators of affection are meaningless. It is the inner and sometimes less apparent qualities that are important. Your attention to this issue will make the incongruity more obvious to you. Part of this discernment process can involve frustration with personal involvements which do not conform to your external expectations of what a relationship or partner should be. Love does not necessarily occur in neat little storybook packages, and frustration results from close attention to external storybook details which cannot truly satisfy internal needs. Outer limitations stress the importance of inner beauty. Because third parties may not easily see the qualities that you appreciate in your loved one, they may criticize your choice. Their criticism will encourage you to further define the inner beauty that attracts you. Those relationships which possess no redeeming inner qualities will seem void and unfulfilled. They can be discarded regardless of the external advantages they supply.

Values must be more closely attuned to the individuals aesthetic appreciation and therefore may be less consistent with societal preferences and standards. One can see unique beauty in what might appear ordinary to others. Your taste in material objects might depend on the emotional qualities associated with those objects. Price or status is unimportant.

Venus retrograde symbolizes an emphasis on the quality of life over the desire for financial gain. The money you earn should not be as important as the quality of your working environment and your satisfaction while on the job. Focusing on your inner need for contentment and fulfillment allows you to let go of a large salary, and search for an enjoyable employment position even though it may involve a pay cut. If you continue to work at a stressful job because of the pay, you may be very unhappy. Materialism will not bring you true happiness this year or any year. If you must remain in a stressful job, develop a strong belief in yourself and your abilities. Set goals that are rewarding and doable. Do not focus on your inability to perform at your best when conditions are at their worst. Some work environments are dysfunctional. Financially, this is generally a time to be conservative with funds. You cannot make good decisions about the quality of your life if you are more concerned with your monetary situation.

Social contacts and involvement in social activities are not emphasized while Venus is retrograde in the solar return. You need more time to focus inward and may withdraw from some or all social functions because you welcome the time alone. You might no longer enjoy these functions, or you might realize that certain social relationships are too difficult and unrewarding to maintain. For those individuals who require counseling, this can be a time of isolation. Withdrawal is common with Venus retrograde, but generally any time alone can be put to good use. You could want to be alone with one special person."

Venus now moves forward to complete its transit through Leo ... posted below is for those of you needing a reminder of what this energy is about:

VENUS began its "roaring" transit through the very dramatic and intensely romantic sign of Leo on June 5th at 9:47 AM EDT ... Venus was last in Leo from August 11th through September 4th/5th, 2022 !!!

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 is all about learning to love through what we create ... this is where 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 ... 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

Leo born, the social and romantic spotlight is still shining brightly on you this time for an extended period - enjoy the flames of passion and love ... just be careful not to incinerate yourself or anyone else with it !!!



Venus is now transiting through the sign of Leo now by itself  ... we still have a chance to discover and face what is truly in our hearts and how to genuinely and creatively express that in our partnerships and relationships, or perhaps change something in order to make our partnerships and relationships more beneficial and provide more positive and spiritual growth in our lives ... Venus remains in Leo until October 8th/9th depending on which time zone in which you live !!!

Venus remains in direct motion until March 1st, 2025 at which point its next retrograde journey occurring from March 1st through April 13th,  will be a dual sign retrograde going from 10 degrees 50 minutes Aries back to 24 degrees 37 minutes Pisces ... and yes, once again, it will have yet another Mercury retrograde embedded in it ... to that end it goes without saying - but I will anyway - remember mercury is still retrograde in Virgo until September 15th ... Venus enters its next shadow point on January 28th, 2025 !!!

As for this Venus retrograde period being complete, it's time to try to live, laugh and let your love flow but somewhat cautiously to begin with, and hopefully Cupids arrows will now be flying back on target towards lovingly piercing your heartstrings instead of impaling you in ya BUM - well maybe not until after Mercury stations back into direct motion on September 15th !!!