CROSSING EVERY "T" ... DOTTING EVERY "I" !!!

Mars blazed its way into the highly analytical and perfection seeking sign of Virgo today, October 15th, at 7:05 AM EDT ... we all are now literally driven to step up the work productivity times 1000 !!! ... this is the universal energy of the true workaholic ... when Mars transits through an earth sign - Virgo, Capricorn, Taurus - sometimes its force is slowed down to a point, and it usually manifests its power conservatively and patiently ... but remember we are talking about normally aggressive Mars now in a sign that pays a LOT of attention to DETAIL, DETAIL, DETAIL accompanied by a deeply penetrating analysis and practicality ... Mars is a planet whose nature is represented by a fiery drive, and Virgo is an earth sign represented by a slower and more exacting energy ... and what does fire have the potential to do to Earth ??? - SCORCH AND BURN, so proceed cautiously and carefully !!! ... Mars was last in Virgo from November 2011 through early July 2012 ... by now you've figured out that this is longer than the normal 6 week transit and the reason, which you have also probably figured out, is due to it's retrograde period during that time - anything come to mind about what may have occurred in your life during that time frame ??? ... it is important to remember that Virgo is ruled by Mercury, and thus it can be said that Mercury and Mars will now have a connected relationship as a result of this transit ... it would therefore be extremely wise to think carefully before you speak in order to avoid verbal confrontations that are most surely guaranteed to surface with these two planets and their energies dancing together !!!

Mars in Virgo is scientific and logical ... it enjoys working ... and working ... and working !!! ... it is extremely thorough and painstaking ... this energy is usually able to perform even the most monotonous tasks well - surgeons and craftsmen are often born under this energy ... sometimes it can get so engrossed in the work details that it loses sight of the overall project and can come to the conclusion that the effort is hopeless and decide to move on - thus making this energy driving one to the point of undertaking too many projects at once ... one must guard against becoming overly critical, and one must also be on guard to avoid working themselves so hard they end up bringing on some form of illness ... under this energy one might need to address health issues - especially inflammations or issues in the intestinal area, or one may simply decide its time to pursue a healthier lifestyle and begin a new diet regimen or nutritional routine ...

Mars in Virgo usually plans its actions carefully and executes them very systematically ...efficient functioning is important in both work and bodily health ... the basic inclination here is to be practical, thrifty, dedicated and follow an approach that tries to find flaws and fix them ... personal identity is tied to being competent and doing things correctly ... Mars in Virgo considers cleanliness is of utmost importance - the caveat here is to avoid too much nitpicking, self-criticism and getting so enmeshed in the details that you inhibit your ability to act ... sexual drive and physical energy are influenced by ones sense of effectiveness and ones competence ... and too much focus on "performance" could result in inhibition and failure to be productive ... one can also negatively affect their health by becoming so engrossed in pursuing the art of perfection !!!

The lesson of Mars in Virgo is learning to get what we want through detailed analysis ... it can be the slave-driver or slave-driven ... here good health represents efficiency ... many times one may ask themselves exactly what is it that they are striving for ... it is said that one of the lessons under this energy is to learn by giving in to the energy of the sign opposite of Virgo which is Pisces - in other words giving into the mystery of life itself, the world, sex and just letting everything run on autopilot for awhile ... Mars in Virgo can flip back and forth between chastity and promiscuity very easily since we have Mars (desire) and Virgo (purity) whose energies are intertwined ... this energy likes work that is done with very fine precision, getting things right, a professional touch, good sexual hygiene, and proper technique ... it dislikes inaccuracy, people who don't put forth effort and those who lack dexterity and grace ... the energy of Mars in Virgo can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: fine sexuality, hits the target, watchful, even-tempered, helpful, healing ability, attentive, subtle touch, industrious, methodical, energy-saving, thorough, shrewd, clever, ingenious, precise, accurate, clean, economical

NEGATIVE: frustrating, sexually exacting, voyeuristic, repressed, interfering, hypochondriac, neurotic, workaholic, inflexible, energy wasting, never finishing projects, exploitative, cantankerous, critical, fussy, sanctimonious

Virgo born individuals, this is your time for an expanded extra energy boost - just what you need to be further fueled by that detail, practical, analytic and work driven oriented energy you were born with ... so you may be thrust into overdrive - but we still love you !!! ... as always for everyone, if you've had a natal chart done look to which house or houses the sign of Virgo resides in and you can gain insight as to what area of life will be charged up by this Martian energy !!!

Even though we all will be driven by this energy which makes us seek perfection and perform with maximum efficiency, the Universe will throw in a dose of cosmic humor that perhaps slows down our pursuit ... most of you may have figured out why by now ... Virgo is ruled by Mercury, and Mercury is currently "slowing down" to begin its final retrograde journey for 2013 next Monday, October 21st ... for 21 days of this 54 day Mars transit, Mercury will be retrograde ... surely there will be some interesting stories of how these energies play out in our individual lives !!!

Mars is the only planet currently transiting through Virgo, and it remains in the sign of Virgo until December 7th ... you may have noticed this is longer that its approximate 6 week transit through each sign ... BUT YOU KNOW WHY !!! ... Mars is beginning to ever so slightly "slow down" as it prepares for its next retrograde journey which will begin on March 1st, 2014 - it will enter its shadow point on December 26th ... this is the last full sign transit of Mars as it will be retrograde entirely in the sign of Libra ... in fact, now would be an excellent time to go back and read my blog from September 30th entitled "Personal Planet Retrograde Flip Flop" if you have'nt done so at this point ... first of all - SHAME ON YOU - and secondly you will find it very helpful during the next 10 month period as the three "personal" planets - Mercury, Venus, Mars - bounce back and forth in retrograde motion !!!

Make good use of this time as there is the potential to get a lot accomplished through steady and controlled effort ... and just a reminder, Uranus is currently transiting through Aries which is ruled by Mars and so it "deposits" its energy in with Mars in Virgo and with all that drive and heightened energy to expand, liberate, do things suddenly and unexpectedly intertwined with the urge to do things with precision and accuracy, the tendency to "incinerate" yourself and others with this fiery energy will be something to be on constant guard against and end up pushing yourself into potentially hazardous overdrive ... We will certainly be very busy crossing every "T" and dotting every "I" - OVER AND OVER AND OVER !!!

THE INEXHAUSTIBLE BOUNTY OF LOVE !!!

Venus began its transit through the enthusiastic, broad-minded sign of Sagittarius today, October 7th, at 1:54 PM EDT ... this Venus is all about the adventure and excitement that love can bring, and therefore ends up being a love that doesn't always last ... but friendships have longevity and they are usually numerous ... Venus in Sagittarius energy enjoys travel, philosophy, education, and anything which will broaden ones horizons and perspective on life ... it is friendly, expansive and philanthropic towards people ... affection is expressed generously, grandly, extravagantly unless one becomes disillusioned when their ideals are denied ... in fact, this Venus can give so much that it forgets it deserves to receive as well ... honesty is valued and one can be quite broad minded in terms of love ... pleasure is found through ideals and ideas ... it may be difficult getting settled down into one relationship because there is the enjoyment of exploration and adventure along with the constant seeking of the ideal relationship ... comfort and harmony here requires the freedom to roam, explore, and always be able to look for something better ... NEVER try to tie down or fence this Venus in or it's over at the start !!! ... the handling of money and possessions is usually optimistic and often can lead one to getting overextended ... this Venus wants "THE BEST" in its love relationships ... both partners must agree on goals, values and their world view ... philosophical harmony is absolutely essential ... being direct and honest is required ... there is also an increased benefit through foreign travel, people and their cultures ...this Venus is extremely flirtatious !!!

The lesson of Venus in Sagittarius is learning about how we love through what it is we are seeking ... it's the joy of love - here we find an awareness of the inexhaustible bounty of love ... one understands that there cannot be the good times without the bad, and through thick and thin faith in love and spiritual quests is never lost ... the unbounded and expansive sense of love and pleasure can inspire and warm ones heart ... here with the awareness of the infinite supply of Love, it is important to give something of value to others ... Venus in Sagittarius is also concerned with the bonding of physical and spiritual love ... it is important here to learn from actual experience rather than from a book ... ultimately a set of beliefs and principles will dictate that ones manner of loving and relating is essential to ones happiness ... this Venus likes quick emotional responses, honest and upfront relating, playing around and philanthropy ... it dislikes holding back, leaving things unsaid, restraint and inactivity and flattery and phony facades ... the energy of Venus in Sagittarius can be expressed in the following ways :

POSITIVE: romantic imagination, light-hearted, warm and affectionate, generous, guided by particular standards, benevolence and loyalty, idealistic, demonstrative, non-possessive, emotionally frank, honest with ones lover, broad-minded, socially active, vivacious, popular, friendly

NEGATIVE: easily attracted, impressionable, overly flirtatious, broken promises, forces beliefs on ones partner, unable to face emotional truth, hard to please, escapist, scatters emotions, fickle, brutally and offensively tactless, impersonally affectionate, amoral, name-dropper, promiscuous, a "groupie", squanders affections

Sagittarius born, the "love light " is shining on you for the next few weeks ... in fact Sagittarius Rising and Moon born will benefit as well !!! ... you just might get what you "desire" !!! ... while Venus transits Sagittarius it is important to remember to set a higher value on yourself which ultimately may lead to others appreciating you more ... one will be truly loved for expressing how one truly feels about oneself ... identify your ideals and needs and seek to express them ... understand that love grows through its own trials ...

Venus is currently the only planet transiting through the sign of Sagittarius and remains there until November 4th/5th depending on the time zone in which you live ... TAKE NOTE - THIS IS THE LAST FULL SIGN TRANSIT OF VENUS BEFORE IT BEGINS ITS NEXT RETROGRADE JOURNEY ON DECEMBER 21ST IN THE SIGN OF CAPRICORN !!!

PERSONAL PLANET RETROGRADE FLIP FLOP !!!

With the Sun currently transiting through the sign of Libra and one of the main purposes of this energy being to find balance and harmony in relationships and partnerships, it seems like an excellent time to pull out the Cosmic binoculars and look ahead to address something I have been alluding to in several of my recent blogs ... that would be what I have named the upcoming "Personal Planet Retrograde Flip Flop" which I will be referring to as PPRFF from this point forward to save some excessive typing !!! ... the Universe will be placing each one of us on a steep learning curve in the "school of life" particularly in reference to the way we think and communicate, romance, partnerships and relationships, personal values, finances, and our personal initiative over the next 10 months ... this sequence begins on October 1st with Mercury entering its final shadow point for 2013 and concludes with Mars exiting its next retrograde zone on July 21st, 2014 ... when Mercury kicks off the PPRFF on October 1st, the Universe will bestow us with the beginning of a personal planet retrograde sequence that goes in the following order - Mercury, Venus, Mercury, Mars then Mercury ... these three planets are considered to be the "personal" planets as their energy tends to reveal behavior characteristics that make one unique ... the Sun and Moon are also in this group but they never go retrograde ... the following is a general idea of the timing of their retrograde periods during the PPRFF ... each retrograde period will be addressed in more detail later as they actually begin ...

To start with, every planet, no matter which one that is involved in a retrograde journey, goes through a period of influence ... it begins with the approaching backward energy making itself apparent, the actual retrograde period where the energy is indeed moving backwards, and then the energy turning back into forward motion as the planet moves back to the point where it began its retrograde period ... these point are respectively referred to as :

SHADOW POINT - the planet, still in forward motion, reaches the degree where it will end its upcoming retrograde period


RETROGRADE PERIOD - the degrees and sign, or signs in some cases, where the retrograde takes place


EXIT RETROGRADE ZONE - the degree and sign where the retrograde period began to which the planet has now returned to and is passing over ... considered by some astrologers as the planet returning back up to full speed ...

Shadow points aren't always thought of as being that detrimental, but they often will produce some kind of energy or event that appears to foreshadow what the upcoming retrograde period will involve ... the retrograde period is the actual time where one should slow down and be careful as to actions being taken especially in regard to which particular area of life the planet, and the sign it is retrograding in, rules or exerts its energy over ... if you've had a natal chart done then you will get an even better idea as to where this backward energy will present in your life for you to deal with in regards to the house or houses it occurs in, natal planets it aspects, and natal planets the retrograde planet crosses back over ... once the retrograde is over the planet has now resumed forward motion and in most cases it is not a problem to proceed with what needs to be addressed in your life, but one just might want to be somewhat more cautious until the planet exits the retrograde zone ...



Even though this sequence will cover approximately 10 months, there are no days when one of the personal planets won't be in a shadow point or moving back in forward motion to exit a retrograde zone, but there will be some days when there will not be a personal planet retrograde ... these days are :

10/1 - 10/20

11/11 - 12/20

2/1/2014 - 2/5/2014

5/20/2014 - 6/6/2014

7/2/2014 - 7/15/2014 

 ... after 7/15/2014 there will not be a personal planet retrograde or preparing to take its next retrograde journey until September 14th, 2014 when Mercury enters its shadow point in advance of its final retrograde period for 2014 beginning on October 4th, 2014 ...



The following is a brief description of the general effects of a Mercury, Venus or Mars retrograde period ... as mentioned before, they will be dealt with in more complete detail later as they occur ...

MERCURY - Mercury goes retrograde 3 and sometimes 4 times a year ... it governs our thinking and how we communicate naturally governing the 3rd house (Gemini) of the horoscope ... it also governs the 6th house (Virgo) thus making its retrograde period a time when work and health issues arise especially in regard to the sign or signs it takes its retrograde journey in ... as a rule, 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 - that goes double for USED CARS, computers or anything that involves electronics ... 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 not a good idea to enter into contracts or start new jobs as they will most likely not pan out and end up becoming 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 !!!


VENUS - Venus goes retrograde roughly every 18 months for a period of about 6 weeks ... Venus naturally governs the 2nd house (Taurus) which addresses money, how you earn it and how you spend it, as well as personal values ... it also naturally governs the 7th house (Libra) which addresses face-to-face partnerships and relationships ... during a transiting Venus retrograde, old lovers or friends may resurface - some hoping to reconnect while others are only in and out for "pass and review" so to speak ... relationship issues, both personal and professional/ public and private, come to the forefront thus causing all types of contracts and partnerships to be reconsidered especially if they have become difficult or challenging ... this is also a time when our personal values get reconsidered - both material and spiritual - to see if they still make sense or need adjusting somewhere ... the main purpose of a Venus retrograde is to reconsider relationship and acquisition needs as these change over time for all of us ... it becomes 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 ... it's NOT a good time to purchase "luxury " items if you can wait because when Venus stations back into direct motion you might well find yourself thinking "Why did I spend THAT MUCH on something I really didn't need or want", or you may simply feel you did not get the anticipated value for what you spent your hard earned money to purchase ... often in a Venus retrograde money can become low and scarce and we could also end up having to spend money we hadn't counted on spending, but in some cases one may end up getting money "coming back" to them from one source or another!!! ... it is not usually a good time to begin a new job if you can wait because you may never get the money you expected out of the job, and the job might not pan out down the road for some reason ... that being said, unfortunately as a Venus retrograde can indicate the "tightening of the purse strings", salaries could be cut back or the job may be terminated for one reason or another ... we also tend to become a little less sociable and often forget our manners ...  ABOVE ALL ELSE, weddings are most certainly a huge NO-NO as this is the planet which rules romance, love and affection - do you really want that energy going backwards on the day you say "I Do" ???


MARS - Mars goes retrograde roughly every 22 months for about 9 - 10 weeks ... Mars naturally governs the 1st house (Aries) which addresses not only the way we individually project ourselves out into the world but ultimately our desires, drives, ambition and personal energy ...  during a Mars retrograde we have to evaluate what it is that motivates us and we have to determine if we are on the correct path to achieve our goals, and if we are doing what we should be doing to get there ... Mars retrograde periods are time for all of us to adjust our actions and aggressive instincts to ensure that our intent is accomplished ... this often includes going back over previous actions and having to redo them or let them go in order to move forward ... old resentments and personal issues that haven't been resolved in the past have a tendency of resurfacing during this period which yields an awareness that the time has come to develop new strategies and approaches for dealing with issues, anger and learning assertiveness ... it is often said that during a Mars retrograde we may become somewhat less "warlike" and that our energy can hit a lull to the point where it seems our get up and go truly got up and went !!!!


The following are the actual dates of the upcoming personal planet retrograde periods in case you would like to mark your calendar or make a note in order to be prepared ... and for the sake of once again saving excessive typing these are the following letter abbreviations to note the period of the particular retrograde ... SP = Shadow Point ... RX = Retrograde Period ... ERXZ = Exit Retrograde Zone :



MERCURY -

SP : 10/1 ...  2 degrees Scorpio

RX : 10/21 - 11/10 ...  18 - 2 degrees Scorpio

ERXZ : 11/27 ...  18 degrees Scorpio



VENUS -

SP : 11/20 ...  13 degrees Capricorn

RX : 12/21 - 1/31/2014 ...  28 - 13 degrees Capricorn

ERXZ : 3/4/2014 …  28 degrees Capricorn



MERCURY -

SP : 1/22/2014 ...  18 degrees Aquarius

RX : 2/6/2014 - 2/28/2014 ...  3 degrees Pisces - 18 degrees Aquarius

ERXZ : 3/20/2014 ...  3 degrees Pisces



MARS -

SP : 12/26 ...  9 degrees Libra

RX : 3/1/2014 - 5/19/2014 ...  27 - 9 degrees Libra

ERXZ : 7/21/2014 ...  27 degrees Libra



MERCURY -

SP : 5/22/2014 ...  24 degrees Gemini

RX : 6/7/2014 - 7/1/2014 ...  3 degrees Cancer - 24 degrees Gemini

ERXZ : 7/15/2014 …  3 degrees Cancer


Now you have a basic idea of what to expect over the next 10 month period in regard to the backward motion and resulting influence of these three planets ... transiting retrogrades affect everyone because the energy we feel from the retrograde planet is "different" while it is, so to speak, moving backwards ... it doesn't mean it is all doom and gloom and something that should be dreaded ... sometimes a retrograde period may come and go with side effects barely noticeable while other times it could prove extremely challenging ... but that of course is going to depend on where you are in life and what is going on around you ... for those born with any of these planets retrograde in their natal chart, I sometimes have found these clients seem to navigate these often choppy waters with less stress and aggravation ... and you have to keep in mind that these particular energies aren't the only ones producing influential energy down here below ... there are always many different energies in play "upstairs" at any given time which results in the universal energy affecting one through transits around their natal chart, progressions to their natal chart, solar returns, lunar returns and a vast array of other cosmic influences which can usually be deciphered for you by an astrologer ...

Though we all will probably experience some kind of effect from the ensuing PPRFF, those that may be more sensitive to it include Scorpio, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Libra, Gemini and Cancer born as these are the actual signs in which the respective retrograde periods will take place … Gemini, Virgo, Taurus, Libra, and Aries may be equally as sensitive to these retrogrades as these three are your ruling planets : Mercury = Gemini and Virgo, Venus = Taurus and Libra, and Mars = Aries …

Ultimately retrograde periods are simply Universal time outs put in place to slow us down and give us the opportunity to get back in sync with the Universal rhythm thus making them thought of as global wake-up calls ... so why try to swim upstream in a raging current … go with the flow - adjust and adapt … and, most importantly, in trying to determine what is going on around you due to planetary energy interplay and influence, and as nothing is set in stone, it is always a good thing to keep in mind a phrase my astrology teacher, Lyn Hammond Gray, used to stress over and over, from the very first day of class : when synthesizing the overall astrological energy at any given moment in time, always remember to consider this possibility - "MODIFIED BY WHAT ???"

"Everything must change ... nothing stays the same ... everyone must change ... no one stays the same ... "

THE GREAT COSMIC SUPER SLEUTH !!!

Mercury began its transit through the dark, brooding sign of Scorpio today, 9/29 at 7:38 AM EDT .... Mercury in Scorpio is intense, probing and filled with boundless determination ... this is the placement of the natural born detective always wanting to get to the bottom of things and ferret out information and hidden motives ... it loves tuning into underlying messages ... communication is usually done very passionately and intensely ... a lot of messages are delivered non verbally ... intimate bonds are frequently formed through ones communications ... superficiality is not tolerated ... what is spoken emanates from the depth of ones psyche ... one often thinks about secrecy and silence and sometimes withholds information on purpose ... though the mind is usually thorough and organized, it can be easily swayed by powerful emotions and obsessions ... one seeks the underlying root causes here and is usually unyielding in their quest for information ... detective work might appeal to one here along with anything that looks beneath the surface such as psychotherapy, archaeology and, of course, the occult ...

Mercury in Scorpio can make one critical, skeptical, secretive and suspicious ... opinions are set and difficult to change ... one can also be shrewd, forceful and given to being very incisive through speech or writings ... sometimes one can needlessly wound others and also come across a being rather nosey and invasive ... this position of Mercury is also good for the healing professions, chemistry, photography, research and big business ... ones mentality can become so deep and fixed it can overcome any and all obstacles to get what it wants ... one must learn here to avoid using others weaknesses for ones own personal advantage and passing judgment on those less fortunate than ones self ...

The lesson of Mercury in Scorpio is all about how our thinking is influenced by what we  desire ... it is the super sleuth of the zodiac ... what you desire and what you fear are tightly entangled in your mind ... this mind sees through people and situations ... this mentality rarely misses anything ... a caveat here would be not to fall into the trap of being suspicious of malice of intent when it does not exist ... sometimes this energy can create intrigue just to keep the mind on its toes ... this mind is basically sharp and efficient knowing that there is always something that needs looking into thus constantly exercising the mental muscle ... the sign of real mental power and superiority here is learning when to leave well enough alone which is usually understood here ... insight is sharpened with the ability to watch and wait silently which this energy bestows ... others can often benefit greatly from the penetrating insight found here ... one is happiest here when not overcome by personal fears and phobias as they end up clouding ones judgement ... this energy likes brain-teasers, mental control and intrigues ... it dislikes mental inactivity, weak-mindedness, lack of subtlety and mincing words ... the energy of Mercury of Scorpio can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: sharp, incisive, subtle, satirical, perceptive, penetrating mind, stealthy, audacious, accurate, investigative, emphatic, determined, good concentration, quick-minded, profound, confiding, insightful, strategic

NEGATIVE: cutting, acidic, sneaky, sarcastic, suspicious, paranoid, intrusive, abusive, uncharitable, grilling, overstated, argumentative, mentally tense, presumptuous, meddlesome, incomprehensible, secretive, devious, scheming

Mercury now joins Venus and Saturn already in Scorpio ... One should use the energy of this mental ability to leave no stone unturned through boundless determination in order to find what they are really after which ultimately is - ones self ...

Mercury, currently slowing down,  remains in the sign of Scorpio until - WAIT FOR IT ... WAIT FOR IT !!! - December 4th and you KNOW why ... it's last RETROGRADE journey for 2013 is right around the corner which will begin on October 21st ... but when Mercury enters its final shadow point for 2013 on October 1st, it will set in motion what I refer to as a "personal planet retrograde flip flop" sequence that will not conclude until July 21st, 2014 !!! ... that will be the subject of my next blog tomorrow and, just for your information, it will be a somewhat lengthy blog ... for now, it is an excellent time for a good mystery, to dig down and uncover the true facts, and for each one of us to take a crack at being a super sleuth ... and in the end, we may well find that it proves to be something much more than simply being "elementary my dear Watson" !!!

BALANCING ON THE "TIGHTROPE OF LIFE" !!!

The Sun began its transit through the charming, social but sometimes indecisive sign of Libra yesterday, September 22nd, at 4:44 PM EDT ... also known as the Autumnal Equinox - equal day and equal night - Summer 2013 is officially OVER, at least in the Northern hemisphere - onward to colder weather - YEAH !!! ... OK, do I hear a few BOOS out there ??? ... the Sun in Libra shines 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 ... 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, and it's 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 lesson of the Sun in Libra is all about learning to live and grow through relating ... 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 !!! ... 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 Mercury in the sign of Libra and will remain in the sign of Libra until October 22nd/23rd depending on which time zone in which you live ... the next 30 days would be an excellent time to make use of trying to bring ones partnerships/relationships both public and private into balance and harmony by making sure their foundations are solid as Venus is set to take its next retrograde journey on December 21st ... in fact, beginning October 1st, the personal planets - Mercury, Venus, Mars - begin a retrograde sequence which will not be finished until July 21st, 2014 !!! ... partnerships and relationships are getting ready to go under the Cosmic microscope for quite an intense scrutiny - more about that sequence shortly ... but for now, it would be an excellent idea to take the lyrical advice of Stephen Stills - "love the one(s) you're with" !!!!!!

UPHEAVAL ... TEARING DOWN ... TRANSFORMATION ... CHANGE ... REBIRTH !!!

Pluto - planet, dwarf planet, etc., take your pick  - associated with death, rebirth, transformation, change, upheaval, healing and renewal - completed its retrograde journey for 2013 today, September 20th at 11:27 AM EDT ... Pluto has been in retrograde motion since April 12th 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 has stationed back into direct motion things will 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 still currently in its early transit through the sign of Capricorn - turning direct today at 8 degrees 59 minutes of Capricorn, so there are definitely going to continue to be issues arising concerning big business, the economy 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 ... during Pluto's retrograde period this year, Uranus made its third square back on May 20th in its 4 year "square" dance with Pluto, but this time the players were in different roles - Pluto was retrograde and Uranus was direct then, so it will be interesting to see how the dynamics of this energy play out with the roles reversed as they both head for their next "square" off on November 1st, when they make the fourth of the seven exact squares, this time with Pluto direct and Uranus retrograde !!! ... this "square" dance will continue until 2015  between these two movers and shakers so you can bet - THERE WILL BE CHANGE - as a square aspect between these two energies always produces massive social, political and economic upheaval !!! ... interesting to note, these two will both be going in direct motion ONLY once which will occur the last time they square each other on March 17th, 2015 ... this may be the point where the most potent effects of the energy may be felt !!!

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 April 12th and start implementing changes or be prepared for change and transformation .... my fellow Capricorn individuals, this energy is making an added impact for us as well since Pluto is moving through our birth sign and will not complete its transit through our sign until 2024 due to its lengthy retrograde journeys and slow movement - after all it takes about 248 years to complete one journey around the zodiac !!! ... also, if you've had a natal chart done and know in which house 8 degrees 59 minutes of 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 ...

Pluto remains in direct motion until April 14th of 2014 ... So be prepared for upheaval, tearing down, transformation, change and rebirth somewhere in your lives - understanding that this process is absolutely necessary for personal as well as spiritual growth but more importantly always be prepared to expect the unexpected ... and now that Pluto has completed its retrograde journey things may truly begin to shake, rattle and roll !!!

TRANSFORMATION THROUGH THE POWER OF LOVE !!!

Venus began its lusty transit through the determined and sexually charged sign of Scorpio today, 9/11, at 3:07 AM EDT ... this Venus means business kidzz !!! ... it enjoys intensity and getting to the bottom of things - in more ways than one !!! ... it can be demanding, forceful, and absolutely unflinching in the way it relates to people ... affection is usually expressed passionately and accompanied with consuming and obsessive feelings ... great pleasure is found in figuring out hidden motives and meanings ... here one needs to penetrate deeply into a relationship in order to feel closeness and develop an emotional bond ... love and social needs can be hindered as a result of secrecy or a reluctance to trust others - an unwillingness to let ones guard down ... sharing the sexual, sensual, and financial areas of life may be difficult due to the need to become overindulgent or falling into the trap of denial ... becoming involved in a give-and-take scenario with others can yield transformational and transmutable energy ... there is also a desire for loyalty and the need to be swept away, seduced, fascinated and totally absorbed in love ... due to deep emotions and very strong and passionate sexual desires, the Be aware the appetite for love here is like a bottomless pit ... when you discover that you cannot get enough, it might be best to turn the tables and start giving all you can give ... it will transform you !!! ... there is also a tendency towards jealousy and being secretive ... sensing other peoples feelings may sometimes be difficult ... one can sometimes be very idealistic, religious or even mystical ... if advances are rejected under this energy, one can be desolated and the love becomes hate ... this Venus can forgive but it NEVER forgets and once scorned you will NEVER get back in as close as you used to be !!!! ... an attribute with this energy is the ability to be financially skilled with an eye for rewarding investment opportunities ...

Venus in Scorpio is considered to be operating in detriment in the sign of Scorpio ... that means it is transiting through the sign opposite to the one it rules which in this case is Taurus ... it is also considered to be in detriment in Aries which is the sign opposite to the other ruled by Venus and that is Libra ... in detriment, the planet is said to not be operating at its full power taking on more of the sign's rather than the planets "coloration" ... it's like visiting somewhere that you have to conform to others rules and regulations ... however, this is no less of a powerful transit for Venus - as long as it doesn't get out of control !!!

The lesson of Venus in Scorpio is learning about how we love through what and/or whom we desire ... it's all or nothing ... harmony created through conflict ... with Venus in Scorpio comes a necessity to control ones strong emotional awareness of what turns people on or off ... ultimately the Power of Love is what Venus in Scorpio is about - and it usually has its way with you rather than you having your way with it !!! ... Be aware the appetite for love here is like a bottomless pit ... when you discover that you cannot get enough, it might be best to turn the tables and start giving all you can give ... it will TRANSFORM you !!! ...  there is the possibility that there exists a feeling that something is desperate or fated about ones love life ... there is also a deep desire to find love - a true genuine love that purges you and transforms your life towards its destiny ... love may be withheld in order to control a partner with this energy due to the inability to handle the depths of your own emotions and vulnerability that accompanies them ... Venus in Scorpio likes heartfelt emotions, gutsy experiences, sexual revelation, a depth of aliveness ... it dislikes superficial beings, lack of soul, a boring lifestyle and exposure to ridicule ... inevitably the expression of Venus in Scorpio leads to an unavoidable intimacy with ones self ... the energy of Venus in Scorpio came be expressed in the following ways :

POSITIVE: sexually aware, sensuous, colorful, rapturous, stimulating, magnetic, influential, sultry, subtle, self-controlled, self-sacrificing, dignified, confiding, secretive, intimate, faithful, passionate, gives all, intense

NEGATIVE: sexually obsessed, blue, depraved, hurtful, bitter, hateful, poisonous, immoral, underhanded, manipulative, self-destructive, tight-lipped, not forthcoming, possessive, jealous, expects everything, fanatical

Venus, now joining Saturn already in Scorpio, remains in the sign of Scorpio until October 7th ... this is the next to last full sign transit before Venus begins its next retrograde journey on December 21st hours after the Winter Solstice - or Summer Solstice if you live in the Southern hemisphere - and it will take place entirely in the sign of Capricorn ... Scorpio born, the love "light" now shines on you for the next 28 days - go after and ask for what you want as you just might get it !!!  

Venus in Scorpio is magnetic, mysterious and breathtakingly beautiful ... it sees, it stalks, it conquers ... it can change your life forever ... but be aware you just might discover that what truly stirs your passions during this transit may not be what you really wanted once this transit is over and normal unbiased reasoning returns when Venus moves into open-minded and freedom loving sign of  Sagittarius !!!