THE URGE TO MERGE WITH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING ELSE !!!

The Sun began its transit through the determined, aggressive, shrewd, secretive sign of Scorpio today, 10/23, at 2:10 AM EDT ... we are now being directed to turn inward to face truths about ourselves and what lies beneath  - "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH" - OR CAN YOU ??? ... this energy can be extremely intense but also highly transformational ... being a water sign, you can bet the emotions will come into play constantly as opposed to the mental approach of the air sign of Libra ... this energy needs to shine passionately, through its power and resourcefulness, through seeking recognition for its penetration, and maybe through being in the limelight through a compulsive persistence ... Scorpio is rarely passive or neutral about anything ... jealousy, being resentful and vengeance are often expressed through this deep, quite private and reserved energy ... recuperative powers are quite remarkable ... here we have the energy of the truth-seeker who uses keen judgement coupled with penetrating insight which ultimately may empower one to exercise a great deal of authority over others ... science, medicine or any field of investigation could attract one ... willpower and persistence are key factors, and even though one may become rather reticent, when pushed one becomes very outspoken and extremely direct ... Scorpio may forgive but it NEVER forgets !!!

Scorpio is a feminine/fixed/water sign ... it is the 8th sign of the natural zodiac ... its key phrase is "I Desire" and its keyword is "Intensity" ... anatomically it rules the genitals - Scorpio born are often susceptible to infections of the urinary system and venereal disease ... in addition the inclination towards volatile emotions is the cause of exhaustion and ill health ... Scorpio is the sign directly opposite to Taurus in the natural zodiac ...

Scorpio is the natural ruler of the 8th house whose keyword is "regeneration" ... it is a house of endings ... many things are addressed here such as joint finances, legacies, trusts, wills, taxes, insurance matters, secrets, sex, spiritual and physical regeneration, psychological rebirth, degeneration and death and surgery ... it also shows types of illness ...

Scorpio is ruled by Pluto - a planet representing destroying or reforming urges and fusion ... its keyword is "transformation" ... it governs things which are hidden from view as well as the masses, subversion, crime, phobias, obsessions, slow growth, birth and death, isolation, coercion, disappearance, bacteria and viruses, plumbing and unpopular causes ... its action is slow and inevitable ... if you've had your natal chart run, where you find Pluto is where you'll find complexity and where you'll have to solve problems on your own and without assistance ...

The lesson of the Sun in Scorpio is learning how we live our daily lives through pursuing what it is we truly desire ... it is the urge to merge with someone or something else ... it is considered the most powerful sign of the zodiac ... it can usually sense what is going on beneath the surface of most situations ... this ability can make one prone to influence, manipulate, corrupt, purge, harm or heal ... this energy is unchallenged in the ability to bring to the surface the cause of trouble - whether it is heartache, disease, financial problems, etc. ... there is a great understanding as to what sex is for and about ... this energy can easily cause us to get under others skin .. there is also a great intimacy with life itself ... the power of Scorpio can appear as a truly magnetic charm making one totally disarming, or it can be downright cruel running over others and striking quite unexpectedly ... there is ability to raise something or someone from the depths or throw them down there ... there are deep and genuine emotions here that are often hidden from the surface ... the greatest gift comes when one is able to let go of the fear and hesitation and allow something or someone in - then there is a magical transformational effect which can lead to great healing ... Scorpio likes total involvement, rooting out hidden causes, being persuasive, meaningful work and the untarnished truth ... it dislikes superficial relationships, only scratching the surface, feeling as though someone got one over on them, demeaning tasks and flattering and flattery ... the energy of the Sun in Scorpio can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: intense, loyal, passionate, faith-inspiring, dynamic, regenerating, compelling, magnetic, penetrating insight, scrutinizing, shrewd, resourceful, compassionate, strong and deep, brave, powerful, healing touch, self-sacrificing, intimate

NEGATIVE: obsessive, possessive, fanatical, emotionally draining, coercive, degrading, forces allegiance, seductive, suspicious, cunning, revengeful, self-punishing, cruel, overly rigid view, corrupt, manipulative, jealous, resentful

The Sun transiting through Scorpio now joins Mercury, currently in its final retrograde journey for 2013, and Saturn which began its roughly two and a half year transit of Scorpio in October 2012 ... there is a lot of cosmic energy driving us inward and forcing us to take an honest look at what lies deep within ourselves and how we project this to the outside world - are you strong enough to rise to the challenge ??? ... are we outwardly reflecting who we truly are inside ???   

The Sun remains in Scorpio until November 21st ... remember, power comes through YOU: hate, and power kills ... love, and power heals ... the greatest strength here is forgiving weakness ... if you look deeply enough into someone or something you may ultimately find yourself and discover your personal power ... reaching the point where you are no longer after something, you may realize what it is you are truly after ... for the next 30 days we all have the universal power placed in our hands to produce transformation, change, rebirth and healing in our lives as well as others ... or will we sink to the level of vengeance, destruction and ruin ???

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

Mercury began its third and final RETROGRADE journey for 2013 today, October 21st, at 6:29 AM EDT ... if you've been following my blogs, then you know pretty much what to expect during a Mercury Retrograde - EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!!! ... this Mercury retrograde will take place entirely in the sign of Scorpio going from 18 degrees of Scorpio back down to 2 degrees of Scorpio ... some of you may have noticed the energy beginning to move backwards already as Mercury entered its shadow point back on October 1st - the point where it will come out of the retrograde on November 10th at 2 degrees of Scorpio ... and just for the record, 18 degrees Scorpio is where Mercury ended its final retrograde journey for 2012 ...  suffice it to say that during a Mercury retrograde things somehow just don't seem to go right or as we planned and we often find ourselves re-doing things especially after Mercury stations back into direct motion ... this is the third water sign Mercury has been completely retrograde in during 2013 - first Pisces and then Cancer ... obviously we all have had to deal deeply with emotional and spiritual issues during the year ... Mercury retrograding in a water sign is a time to rethink the quality of life and gives us an opportunity to rethink old habit patterns and how we emotionally respond to life's challenges ... in Scorpio, Mercury retrograde challenges us to find the courage and honesty to go deep within ourselves in order to bring about transformation and change in our lives in order to promote further personal and spiritual growth !!!

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

Mercury retrogrades are simply a time for reviewing and revision ... as the saying goes, it might be a good idea to "DROP BACK AND PUNT" !!! ... during a retrograde journey it can be said that we are in a mental "down time" and often things will not register on a conscious level with us ... the ultimate most proficient use of Mercury retrograde cycles is to reconnect the individual with the Universal "rhythm" ...

Mercury retrograding in the sign of Scorpio can bring focus to the areas of life ruled by Pluto, the ruling planet of Scorpio, and 8th house matters - the house that Scorpio naturally rules ... so issues  could arise regarding things which are hidden - especially in the unconscious self, the masses, crime, phobias and obsessions, slow growth, birth and death, isolation, coercion, kidnapping, bacteria and viruses, generation/regeneration/degeneration, secrets and things kept undercover, plumbing, dictatorships and unpopular causes - all of these things ruled by Pluto ... and there could be issues regarding support one receives from other people - including financial, moral, spiritual and physical, legacies, trusts, wills, taxes, insurance matters, sex, spiritual/physical regeneration, psychological rebirth, degeneration and death - both literal and figurative, occult matters, sleep, deep research, investigations, hidden assets, assets of partners alimony, and surgeries - all of these matters represented by the 8th house ... health-wise, there could be issues with the genitalia and reproductive organs which are the anatomical areas Scorpio rules  ...

If you've had a natal chart done and know where 18 degrees of Scorpio back down to 2 degrees of Scorpio lie, you may find additional insight as to what area, or areas, of your life may be more affected by this retrograde, and obviously whether it will involve one or two houses during the retrograde period ...

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

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

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

Repair – The need for repair will arise. If possible, put if off until Mercury turns direct (November 10th).

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

Recall - Your mind will wonder back. You will think of people from the past or you will encounter someone from the past. If old lovers show up, don't bet that it will stick. Believe me... it is just for a "review." (And if it does last, I want to be the first to know about it. E-mail me and let me know). And you know what, I wouldn't start a new romance during this period either - wait until after November 10th !!!

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

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

Reboot and Revise - The computer world is a definite place to watch the comedy. It is common for one to suddenly, without fore thought, decide to revise their system during the Rx. Oh! Mercy! That revised system may never function in the normal way. Oh, please! Do wait until the period is over. However, it is fine to do your shopping for the new components during the Rx. When you do go to purchase your parts after November 10th, you may find better deals and buys.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Back to me now ....Those of you born between October 21st and November 10th will most likely have Mercury retrograde in your birthday chart - also known as your Solar Return - for the whole year ahead ... below is a repeat explanation of what it means to have Mercury Retrograde for the whole year in your birthday chart:

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

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

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

For all of us, this becomes a time to review and rethink what is going on in our lives and especially what may have been started or done during the last Mercury Retrograde, that being June 26th  through July 20th, or even actions we undertook since the Mercury Retrograde period before that of February 23rd through March 17th ... we must look and see what is now running into problems, falling apart, or what simply will not work out and needs to be let go of and ended so we can move forward when the retrograde period is over ... one more item of interest - those born roughly between October 25th and November 10th may be impacted in some special way as Retrograde Mercury will pass backwards over their natal Sun placement ...

Gemini and Virgo born, it is once again time for review and reflection of what is going on in your lives since Mercury is your ruling planet !!!

Whatever the case, it is for sure that there will undoubtedly be lights going ON in our heads regarding these actions as well as other lights going OUT as this Mercury Retrograde energy wreaks its cosmic havoc for the next 21 days ... Mercury will remain retrograde until November 10th ... so slow down and try not to act too impulsively or the day may come in the near future when you live to regret what you did ... be aware tempers will flare and patience may become scarce, but that personal sense of humor may need to be called upon frequently as the Mercury Retrograde merrily produces disruption and misunderstanding - it will certainly be one of your best allies !!! ...

Mercury is the first personal planet - those being Mercury, Venus, Mars - to take a retrograde journey in what I previously addressed as the "Personal Planet Retrograde Flip Flip", a process which takes place until July 21st, 2014 ... if you STILL HAVE NOT READ my blog from September 30th concerning this process, now would be an excellent time during the Mercury retrograde to "GO BACK, READ AND REVIEW" !!! ... Mercury remains retrograde until November 10th and after that it will soon be time for Venus to begin its next retrograde journey - during the Holiday season no less ... Meanwhile,will we become the constant victim of Cosmic Chaos, become the recipient of great Cosmic Clarity ... or BOTH ??? ... and certainly it would be an excellent time not to try and swim upstream in a raging current of cosmic confusion - GO WITH THE FLOW !!!

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" !!!!!!