HAPPY "ASTROLOGICAL" NEW YEAR !!!

The Sun blazed its way into the sign of Aries today, March 20th, at 12:57 PM EDT ... being the first sign of the natural zodiac, you will find many astrologers who will joyfully say - HAPPY ASTROLOGICAL NEW YEAR !!! ... also known as the Vernal Equinox, equal days/equal nights, but more readily known as the beginning of Spring - something we are all bound to put a little more of in our step for now !!! ... with the Sun in Aries, one needs to shine in the following ways: through valor and bravery; shine assertively; shine by being first; seek recognition energetically and impetuously; and shine in ones total self-expression ... Since Aries is a fire sign, the Sun is very comfortable here and maybe works a little more efficiently ... we are certainly energized with a desire to start getting things done and begin new projects ... the astrological alarm clock has rung and we are awakened from the dream like state the Sun transiting through Pisces may have put us in ...

Aries is a masculine/fire/cardinal (beginnings) sign ... it is active, energetic, excitable, impulsive, optimistic, and open to change and new experiences ... its symbol is the Ram - assertive, sexual and able to climb to great heights ... its glyph represents the horns and long nose of the Ram ... symbolically the glyph is two half Moons joined by a straight line, which indicates idealism tied to authority and leadership ... its key phrase is "I AM" and keyword is "ACTIVITY" ... anatomically Aries rules the head - Aries born people are often prone to headaches, and sometimes subject to minor injuries around the head and face, and they are also susceptible to harm from fire and sharp instruments as well as being prone to accidents involving high speed ... sometimes they have a tendency to get into violent and dangerous situations ... it is the sign opposite of Libra ...

Aries is ruled by the planet Mars - the ancient God of war, aggression and conflict ... it indicates courage, passion, and competition ... Mars deals with your animal nature, desire and sexual energies ... it shows assertiveness, force, power, construction, work, strife, and competition ... it also governs surgery and operations, weapons, war, accidents, inflammation, wounds and cuts, burns, scalds, violence, tools, iron, and steel ... the action of Mars is sudden, self-assertive, and sometimes very disruptive ... its energy can be used destructively and angrily, in a fighting manner, or with courage and strength ... if you've had a natal chart done, where you find Mars is usually where you expend the greatest energy ... my natal Mars is in the 4th house - the house of home among other things - and I work out of my home !!!

Aries is the natural ruler of the 1st house of the zodiac ... the 1st house keyword is "IDENTITY" and it is a house of life ... the cusp of the 1st house is known as the Ascendant or Rising sign - a very important point in the natal chart - often said to be the "mask" you wear to the outside world !!! ... it shows what the exact degree and sign was on the eastern horizon at the moment of birth - now you know why birth time is so important in Astrology ... the 1st house mirrors your personality, your natural disposition and tendencies, your individuality and the way you express yourself outwardly ... it shows how people see you - which may be totally different from your natal Sun sign - and the way you want others to see you ... the 1st house represents the way you "package" and "market" yourself ... it represents your physical body, your health and your early childhood years ... it usually characterizes your approach to life, your worldly outlook, your appearance and bearing, and the beginnings of all enterprises ...

The lesson of the Sun in Aries is all about learning to LIVE THROUGH DOING !!! ... its the pioneer, the champion !!! ... this energy simply wants to get something started as the Will has free reign to express itself in this sign ... challenges that stir one to action are usually met with great enthusiasm ... patience is a lesson to be learned under this energy as the drive is so strong to move and move NOW!!! ... physical, emotional and mental extremes are all desired in Aries which usually make one all the better for experiencing them - but go too far and one can expect to be extremely lonely ... remember what springs from your body or mind is only as good as what dwells in your heart ... the energy of the Sun in Aries can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: assertive, go-getting, crusading, enthusiastic, direct, frank, one-pointed, straightforward, spontaneous, energetic, stimulating, courageous, good starter, warrior caste, leader type, confident, independent, strong-willed, single-minded, original being

NEGATIVE: overly aggressive, unreflective, fanatical, arrogant, blunt, tactless, blind to side-issues, simplistic, impatient, restless, irritating, foolhardy, bad finisher, argumentative, uncooperative, pompous, self-centered, headstrong, thoughtless, intolerant

KEEP IN MIND - the brand new "astrological" year beginning may not get off to as energetic a start as normal because Mars, the ruling planet of Aries, is currently in its retrograde journey for 2014 until May 19th !!!

HAPPY SOLAR RETURN all Aries born individuals - this is your time of year to begin a new astrological cycle as well and ... SHINE !!! ... BUT ... least you forget with the current Mars retrograde, EVERY ARIES BORN will get this current Mars retrograde energy in their solar return for the whole year ahead to work through ... however, it most likely will not affect everyone in the same way especially as it depends on which house in your solar return chart Mars falls !!!

For everyone, it is a time for fresh new beginnings on many levels of ones life ... and even better yet - IT'S TIME FOR SPRING CLEANING !!! ... just be careful not to go too far too fast until AFTER May 19th !!! the Sun now joins Uranus in Aries - a lot of fiery energy being unleashed ... the Sun remains in the sign of Aries until April 19th ... and now that Spring has sprung - BOING - it's definitely time to OPEN A NEW WINDOW ... OPEN A NEW DOOR !!!

THE ULTIMATE EARTH MOTHER !!!

Jupiter - planet representing growth, the laws, belief and ethics, expansion, opportunity, wealth, faith, higher education, travel especially long distance, religion, philosophy, joy, goodwill, as well as excess and extravagance - completed its retrograde journey yesterday, 3/6, at 5:42 AM EST ... while Jupiter has been retrograde since November 6th/7th, 2103, we have all been rethinking and reviewing our growth and expansion and determining whether or not it may have gone too far too fast and needed some adjustment ... during this period we have all hopefully experienced some kind of internal growth and have been preparing for opportunities that may now become available as Jupiter has stationed back into direct motion ... now is the time to determine whether or not what is being offered is something that you truly want and whether or not it will positively promote personal and spiritual growth, or is something that is merely stroking your ego ...

Sagittarius born individuals, it is time for you to come out of your "hibernation period" and begin moving forward once again ... what have you been busy reviewing and rethinking in your lives since November 6th/7th ??? ... what is it that you really want, and what is it that is simply excessive and unnecessary for personal and spiritual growth and expansion ... and we all should have been doing that on some level of our lives ... 

Jupiter is now moving forward to complete its journey through the sign of Cancer which began on June 25th, 2103 ... the following is a reminder of what the energy of Jupiter in Cancer is all about :

Jupiter was last in Cancer from July 12th/13th, 2001 through August 1st, 2002 ... remember anything happening in your life that stands out during that period ??? ... Jupiter in Cancer brings a heightened time for emotions and emotional healing ... one must find the courage and strength to take an honest look deep within and release and let go of those negative thoughts, feelings and emotions that have been holding you back as well as creating "dis"-ease within your bodies ... it is time to address issues within our home and families as well as issues surrounding our sense of security and the strength of our foundations ... as for health, it is time for healing, if needed, especially in the area of the breasts and stomach which are ruled by Cancer ... there could also be expansion on the home front - making repairs and/or adding on to the existing house or, in some cases, moving into a bigger home ...

Jupiter in Cancer is placed in one of its luckiest positions and considered to be exalted here ... its forces increased and its virtues magnified ... it functions even more efficiently than in the sign which it naturally rules which is Sagittarius ... nurturing and caring principles are greatly expanded ... 

Jupiter in Cancer yields a much stronger and deeper feeling of being highly emotional ... these feelings, as well as mood swings, can be large and extremely active ... it makes one very loyal and devoted to ones family in addition to anyone else with whom one personally identifies with ... it can bestow a good, grounded sense of reality leaving one with a secure confidence in themselves ... it can make one ready to give outwardly towards others in a nurturing manner ... one also has to be very careful not to keep up emotional barriers against new experiences by surrounding oneself too heavily with the past !!!

The lesson of Jupiter in Cancer is all about learning to promote growth - both personally and for others - through nurturing ... we must learn to help others develop positively which will in turn do the same thing for us ... and while there is certainly a desire to be generous towards others, one must guard against being overly generous and extravagant as this can cause others to either want to move away from you or end up causing them to walk all over and use you ... it is said that the ultimate truth here is that we all come from the same root - in other words, the "family of Man" is really one very large family tree ... we hopefully will evolve under this energy to understand that everything living is related and needs equal care and consideration ... 

Jupiter will complete its journey through Cancer on July 16th ... Cancer born, be sure to take advantage of this final period offering extra chances for opportunity, growth, expansion - being careful that it doesn't occur all in your waistline, and at times out right luck ... it will not begin its next transit through your birth sign again until June 2025 !!!

Jupiter remains in direct motion until December 8th when it will be well into its roughly one year transit through the sign of Leo where we will be learning the lesson of how to grow and expand through what we exuberantly create ... meanwhile, we all have the opportunity now to benefit and grow from this enhanced loving, nurturing and healing energy of Jupiter in Cancer ... sometimes we feel unduly challenged and other times we feel truly blessed and supported - which is what this journey called living is all about ... it's how we are molded by the Universe in order to develop personally and spiritually ... and while we are feeling the need to take care of everyone else, we MUST remember to be as kind, considerate and take good care of ourselves as well ... it's time for everyone, both male and female, to experience being the ultimate Earth mother !!!

EXPERIMENTAL LOVE - COMPLETE WITH LEATHER WHIPS AND HANDCUFFS ???

Venus finally exits the fabulous sign of Capricorn - sadness - and  begins her often "shocking" and rebellious transit through the progressive, free-loving sign of Aquarius today, 3/5, at 4:03 PM EST ... this highly unpredictable Venus truly marches to the beat of an unusual and different drum!!! ... it indeed likes being unusual or different in some form or fashion ... relations can be casual, erratic or with openness and tolerance ... affection is expressed experimentally, freely, and unconventionally ... pleasure is derived from being unique and sometimes downright kinky ... the handling of money and possessions can be progressive, intellectual, unpredictable, changeable, or even rebellious ... freedom and friendship is a requirement in love relationships ... and trying to tie this Venus down is a big NO-NO - well except when you are, oh wait ... that's a whole other story !!! ... this energy is often viewed as cool and aloof and one can come across as impersonal and detached ... people of a race, creed, or gender that shock others may sometimes become ones object of affection ... Venus in Aquarius is a detached yet magnetic love, and even highly unconventional varying greatly from the norm !!!

Venus in Aquarius gives a kind and loving nature ... it makes one helpful, charitable, but NOT an emotional person ... PERSONAL FREEDOM IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE !!! ... and in any relationship there must be the ability to explore varied interests and hobbies, meet new people, and enjoy a wide range of friends ... jealousy is not tolerated and overly emotional scenes will usually cause one to walk away ... this energy is more likely to have platonic friendships because sexual involvements are more emotionally binding than is desired here ... immense popularity and an attraction of many lovers is possible but not of the long lasting variety - romantic attractions are usually sudden and unexpected and can end just as suddenly and unexpectedly as they began!!! ... personal magnetism is directed toward larger concerns than mere romance ... if one wants to remain close to someone under this energy, they must allow their romantic or friendship interest freedom in their relationships with others ...

The lesson of Venus in Aquarius is learning to love through liberation - LOVE MUST BE SET FREE !!! ... there is an open minded and experimental approach to relating and to artistic expression ... it is often difficult for others to see where you are coming from emotionally as ones style can be disconcerting, shocking or just outright odd!!! ... the ironic twist here is that this energy wants to allow a partner the freedom and space to do as they please, but by giving too much freedom it might actually begin to seem as though the partner doesn't care about you ... the secret though is to learn how to reveal, in a heartfelt way of course, your opinions and questions regarding the freedom of love for the person or persons to whom you feel the closest ... Venus  in Aquarius can be socially inventive and creatively innovative ... love and friendship absolutely MUST coexist here!!! ... and while there is certainly the idea that with all this unpredictability and need for freedom that lasting love just might be impossible under this energy, one must remember that Aquarius is a FIXED sign !!! ... the energy one might encounter with Venus in Aquarius may include:

POSITIVE: free-loving, idealistic, easygoing, liberal, original lover, non-possessive, unique, mild, cultured, experimental, progressive, eclectic, sparkling, popular, friendly, tongue-in-cheek, convincing, refined, quietly persevering, humane

NEGATIVE: lacks feelings, naive, indiscriminate, erratic, odd lover, unfeeling, peculiar, touchy, insincere, kinky, superficial, promiscuous, impersonal, flattering, sarcastic, stubborn, manipulative, uncompromising, reactionary

Venus remains in Aquarius until April 5th ... Aquarius born individuals, the Universe is energizing you with luck and opportunity while shining the light of love on you for the next few weeks so keep your eyes and ears and heart open and ask for what you want as you might just get it !!! ... Venus joins Mercury which is now direct and moving forward to complete its transit through the sign of Aquarius ... remember that Aquarius is ruled by the planet Uranus the planet of the sudden and unexpected, so enjoy this unusual and open minded energy after wading through four months of the rather "vanilla" flavored energy of Venus in Capricorn - which there is certainly nothing wrong at all with, right my fellow Cappies ??? ... and should someone approach you and say "WHOSE YA DADDY ???" just realize they are being infused with this delightfully twisted energy so go for it and play along - you might enjoy it ??? ...  and who knows - as Aquarius, among other things, rules Astrology, you might just realize there is a "certain" ASTROLOGER out there you discover you've developed quite a fondness for !!!

STANDING ON SOLID GROUND ???

Saturn - the planet representing the urge for security and safety, that is also known as the taskmaster teaching us the lessons we must learn in life, shows us what we are unsure of or truly fear, and forces us to find the means to acquire discipline, effort and sense of order so that we may overcome limitations and obstacles, and most importantly known as Father Time - began its RETROGRADE journey for 2014 today, 3/2 at 11:19 AM EST  at 23 degrees of Scorpio ... if you've had a natal chart done, then you know in what area of your life Saturn has, and will continue for a while longer, been making you focus your attention on to improve and make more secure ...

The main objective of a transiting Saturn retrograde is RESTRUCTURING, if necessary, our foundations to make sure they are strong and solid ... since Saturn is the planet which represents systems and organizations, during its retrograde period the time has come to re-examine these areas and find ways to improve them ... it  is now time for every one of us to restructure systems, programs, organizations, and even rules in order to make them function more efficiently ... processes and policies will all benefit from re-examination during this period ...

Saturn is currently transiting through the sign of Scorpio ... it is very powerful in the secretive and passionate sign of Scorpio ... and since Saturn and Pluto, which rules Scorpio, are in mutual reception with Saturn in Scorpio and Pluto in Capricorn, which of course Saturn rules, the effects of this particular Saturn sign transit is very powerful and has the potential to produce some great rewards even though the process will by no means be an easy one !!! ...  while Saturn is in Scorpio, we are trying to understand human motivation that ultimately enables us to control others which of course can either be a very good thing or something very dark and disastrous ... our desire nature is being thoroughly tested bringing to light that which is hidden even if we don't want it to be revealed ... we also are being tested in areas regarding issues of personal power and intimacy, our spiritual nature, and joint financial ventures ... also there may be a lot of intense review and consideration regarding legacies, trusts, wills and taxes ... we all have been working on positive transformation by trying to gain honest awareness of our failings as well as others and making the necessary corrections ... this process began back on October 5th, 2012 when Saturn began its transit through Scorpio which will be ongoing until it completes its transit on September 17th/18th, 2015 - even though it will briefly make its initial transit through Sagittarius on December 23rd of this year, but due to retrograde motion will return to Scorpio for some last minute business on June 14th/15th, depending on the time zone in which you live ... obviously Saturn can be very heavy and restricting when it comes to teaching us lessons about life, so it would make sense that its retrograde periods, for review and reflection, last longer than those of the personal planets - Mercury, Venus and Mars ... but keep in mind that Mars began its retrograde journey for 2014 yesterday, 3/1, so we have the planet of action, initiative and aggression (Mars) in retrograde motion for the next 79 days with the planet of restriction, limitation and obstacles (Saturn) ... that is a lot of frustrating energy making is slow down when we really want to GO !!! ... the universe obviously has its reasons for placing these two in retrograde motion together at this time, and if you are patient, willing to slow down and take an honest look at what is going on in your life and then use the energy wisely, you can accomplish a lot in building a stronger personal and spiritual foundation ... but the universe also has bestowed us with a gift as well as Mercury stationed direct on 2/28, so perhaps we will be able to think through and mentally process what is going on and being brought to our attention more productively !!!

My fellow Capricorns, this begins our yearly period of review and self introspection as this is our ruling planet ... what has been going on in your life since Saturn stationed back into direct motion on June 7th/8th, 2013 ???  ... what have you been working on and possibly rebuilding and restructuring that now needs some re-examination and reevaluation to determine whether or not you are on the right track to produce the desired results you are working towards ??? ... or what did you start working on during the last Saturn retrograde period - January 30th, 2013 through June 7th/8th, 2013 - that now MUST be addressed and either improved upon or simply let go of in order to facilitate personal and spiritual growth ??? ...  this would apply for everyone as well !!! ... usually people are not happy when Saturn comes into the picture to teach us and make us learn life lessons that often are very daunting and difficult, but we native Capricorns understand Saturn's "weight" which can bear down on us ... so its retrograde journey each time becomes an opportunity for everyone else to feel and hopefully come to understand what we have to live with all of our life ... challenging - you bet ... and no one would ever say it is an easy task, but the potential for rewards are unlimited if you open your eyes, ears and hearts, allow the universe to lead the way and be willing to go the distance !!!

Saturn retrogrades roughly every 12 1/2 months for a period of about 4 1/2 months ... Saturn remains retrograde until July 20th ... indeed Saturn teaches every one of us different but difficult lessons in life ... but if you keep your feet firmly planted and try to stay positive and understand that the "light at the end of the tunnel" usually signifies greater personal as well as spiritual growth, you will definitely come through a much stronger person and better for the lessons you have taken seriously and made great personal effort to learn from ... you will definitely be better equipped to deal with life and its many challenges as well as being able to determine if you are truly standing on solid ground !!!

MY GET UP AND GO, GOT UP AND WENT !!!

Mars, the planet representing the urge to get what you want, sexual drive, initiative, courage, raw energy and desires, began its RETROGRADE journey for 2014 today, 3/1, at 11:24 AM EST ... the purpose of a Mars retrograde ultimately is to evaluate what it is that motivates you and for you to determine if you are on the correct path to achieve your goal, and if you are doing what you should be doing to get there ... inside a Mars retrograde, it is time for all of us to adjust our actions and aggressive instincts to ensure that ones 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 ... also, old resentments and personal issues that haven't been resolved in the past have a tendency of resurfacing during this period which yields the awareness that the time has come to develop new strategies and approaches for dealing with issues, anger and learning assertiveness ... Mars takes a retrograde journey for about 9 - 10 weeks out of its 26 month cycle ... Mars was last retrograde from January 23rd, 2012 through April 13th, 2012 ...

The 26th month cycle becomes significant as we are used to Mars energy moving forward since it takes about two years to return to its natal position in ones birth chart and thus spends about two months in each sign ... the direct and retrograde stationing movement of Mars occurs most frequently in Cancer, Leo and Virgo, and least frequently in Sagittarius and Aquarius due to its eccentric orbit around the Sun ... Mars could be considered a "double twin" of the Earth as it tilts on its axis in almost the same way as the Earth, but Mars has 4 six month seasons instead of 4 three month seasons like we have here on Earth ... the Earth orbits the Sun in 1 year and Mars in 2 years thus the Earth finally catches up with Mars roughly every 2 years and 2 months = 26 month cycle ... often Mars retrograde will bring issues of frustration or hostility to the surface we have deliberately suppressed due to their disruptive qualities which can cause forward movement in our lives to be temporarily delayed ... sudden reversals of interest and drive may occur, as well as the termination of a long term goal as it may become apparent that the effort is inappropriate for the long term ... also old wounds, hurts and frustrations may arise seemingly out of context but usually there is a purpose for this ... during a Mars retrograde it is usually a good idea NOT to undertake any new beginnings per contract or verbally since the energy often isn't there to carry it through ... now sometimes you can't just "sit tight" for nearly two and a half months, but there are good reasons, if at all possible, as the waiting may ultimately prove to be a blessing in the long run ... often things begun under a Mars retrograde will run into problems when it stations back into direct motion - that being May 19th, or at some point during the next two years, or even when Mars takes its next retrograde journey  - which will be in April of 2016 !!!

This Mars retrograde takes place entirely in the sign of Libra and will occur from 27 degrees of Libra back down to 9 degrees of Libra ... if you have had a natal chart done, you can look to where these degrees fall and get an idea of where you might be rethinking some kind of action you have taken or where you might encounter delays or even a shift into a different direction ... if you were born with your natal Sun between 9 degrees and 27 degrees of Libra, at some point Mars will either station or cross back over your natal Sun and, among other things, there could be a few days when you feel as if someone unplugged your energy outlet !!! ... and if you have any natal planets in the sign of Libra within these degrees you will probably experience some kind of energy produced in relation to the planet and the area of life in which house it is placed as Mars backs over that planet ... also Mars will produce some action if it aspects other planets in your natal chart regardless of sign but still within the same range of degrees ... as with Mercury retrograde periods, sometimes those born with Mars retrograde will find this period more productive since they are already comfortable and have a better understanding of this backwards energy ... in a natal chart, those born with Mars retrograde are said to have actions in the current life that are recreations of the past, and they are frequently in competition with themselves !!!

Libra naturally rules the 7th house of face-to-face relationships and that is where a lot of people will feel the impact of this retrograde ... BUT WAIT ... haven't we already been dealing with that first in the Mercury retrograde 10/21 through 11/10, and then again during the Venus retrograde 12/21 through January 31st ???  ... obviously the universe is calling our attention to something that we must take a long, honest look at to see what needs to change ... Mars is the third of the 3 personal planets - Mercury, Venus and Mars - to participate in what I referred to back on September 30th as the personal planet retrograde flip flop ... this sequence began on October 1st with Mercury entering its shadow point and will not conclude until July 21st when Mars exits its retrograde zone ... and we still have one more Mercury retrograde from June 7th through July 1st to go through before this sequence of retrogrades is complete ...

The 7th house is the house that deals with business and marital partnerships, marriage, divorce, contracts, lawsuits, bargains, agreements, dealings with the public, open enemies, your cooperation or lack thereof with others as well as how you share with others, and bottom line - shows what you most lack in yourself ... needless to say, issues may arise in these areas in your life as well !!!

Mars was last retrograde from January 23rd, 2012 through April 13th, 2012 in the sign of Virgo, and it made its last complete direct transit through the sign of Libra July 3rd through August 23rd, 2012 ... it is most likely that issues will arise in regards to actions taken during those periods ... what possibly was begun that now must be readdressed, readjusted, and reworked, or simply have run their course and come to a necessary ending needing to be released in order to promote further personal and spiritual growth ???

For those of you born between today, March 1st and May 19th, you will get Mars retrograde in your astrological birthday chart - known as a solar return - for the whole year ahead ... however, those born on March 1st and May 19th may not get this energy depending on the time of your solar return for the current year ... below is what noted astrologer Mary Fortier Shea has to say about having Mars retrograde in the birthday chart - also known as the Solar Return:

"When Mars is retrograde in the solar return chart, the individual must work with the process of self-motivation. This is a good time to work on a long-term project, especially one involving the need to repeatedly push yourself  toward achievement. You are the motivating force. No one else can get you to move. It is very unlikely that you will be motivated by others since personal goals will seem more important than the conflicting goals of others. If you cannot motivate yourself or direct your energy in a useful manner, you will feel listless and tired. This is an extremely useful retro gradation for those who are goal-oriented; unfortunately, it can be a very counterproductive placement for those who are not.

The way you choose to handle anger is symbolized by Mars retrograde. Usually, there is a desire to avoid confrontation and conflict. You may be unable or unwilling to express anger outwardly. Furthermore, you might find it difficult to be openly aggressive or even assertive given the situations you are involved with. If this is so, you could resort to passive-aggressive behavior or manipulation if it seems impossible to deal with a present situation on a rational level. For example, if you are taking care of a cantankerous and senile relative, confrontation and rational discussion will not improve your relationship, but refusing to engage in conflicts and stressing the humor of the situation may. You can manipulate your way around the old coot with love and understanding in your heart. Having Mars retrograde in a solar return chart signals the need to reassess the appropriateness of anger and conflict in certain situations where it may actually be totally useless. It is not the answer to all situations and you can learn to use other tactics.

If you are involved in difficult circumstances, you may not defend yourself against the criticism of others. And in fact, you could see yourself as responsible to some extent for the situations you are involved in. This is a time when you are more apt to get in touch with the role you, yourself, play in creating stress. You could blame yourself and be very self-critical of your own behavior. Positively, we can look upon this year as a time when you are more apt to see self-defeating situations and take corrective action. It is fairly common to realize the existence of at least one self-defeating situation or personality pattern during the year.

Mars retrograde, at its worst manifestation, can have a self-destructive interpretation. It is possible that you will place yourself (through your own doing) in a situation that causes you difficulty or pain. You will have the ability to withdraw from the situation, but might choose to remain throughout the solar return year. This may sound like a horrible manifestation, but it is not necessarily so ... The house placement of Mars will relate to the self-defeating or self-destructive attitudes and may symbolize this negative behavior in relationships, career practices, financial responsibility, etc. If one concentrates on the issues, solutions can be found and there will be no need to remain in compromising situations."

ARIES BORN - this is your period to slow down and in some cases stop, which you DO NOT like to do at all, in order to review and rethink what has and what is going on in your life since Mars is your ruling planet  ... Even though Aries born individuals as well as Libra born - since Mars is retrograding through your sign - may be more sensitive to this reversal of energy, we will all experience it somewhere in our lives and lights may begin to come on in our heads as we discover that perhaps we should have either waited a while longer before taking action or possibly never have taken a particular course of action to begin with in certain situations ...

Mars remains retrograde until May 19th ... and as both Mercury and Venus are moving forward to exit their current retrograde zones, and for all the potential frustration of not being able to get things going as you would like, it's probably a good idea to drop back and punt where possible for the time being ... many will feel at some points along the way that there is something making them restless, edgy and irritable and they are simply not able to pin down the cause ...

As it is said that in a Venus retrograde we often become somewhat less sociable and frequently forget our manners, during a Mars retrograde we may become somewhat less "warlike" and that our energy can hit a lull ... over the course of the next 80 days as energy rises and seems to fall just as quickly, we will become all too personally and frequently associated with that famous saying - MY GET UP AND GO ... GOT UP AND WENT !!!

OFF WE GO AGAIN ????????

Mercury completed its first retrograde journey for 2014 today, February 28th, and stationed  back into direct motion at 9:00 AM EST - do I hear a BIG SIGH OF RELIEF out there ??? ... just don't sigh too long or too loudly and I will explain why shortly !!! ... hopefully, the emotional and mental disorientation and confusion produced by this dual sign Mercury retrograde in Pisces and then concluding in Aquarius will now begin to clear as it becomes time to move forward into the swing of things on all levels ... over the next few days to the next few weeks or even months, there may be some "a-ha" lights coming on in regard to decisions made during the retrograde period from 2/6 through today, 2/28, and possibly as far back as 1/22 when Mercury entered its shadow point - the point where it would come out of the retrograde journey today which was at 18 degrees of Aquarius ... did issues and complications or questioning arise in regards to things done during the last retrograde period from October 21 through November 10th  ??? ... or maybe even as far back as the retrograde period from June 26th  through July 20th ??? ... BUT - retrograde periods, even though annoying at times, are actually a very beneficial thing, especially for those who were strong and brave enough to dig deep down, as we need to validate, or in some cases invalidate, actions and situations gone awry and deal with them in order to finally release them to produce a calmer, positive and productive state of mind thus allowing us to move forward to bring about greater personal and spiritual growth !!! ... if you've had a natal chart done, you should look to see in what house or houses 3 degrees of Pisces back down to 18 degrees of Aquarius falls - what kinds of issues did you have to deal with in the areas of life governed by those houses ??? ... how many of you went with the flow and how many of you tried to swim upstream in the raging current of Cosmic confusion ???

Of course the recurring question we may find ourselves asking now that Mercury is back in direct motion is "WHY" ??????? ...What actions did you take or were taken against you that you may now be regretting or simply wondering why you chose to do or why you were the victim of a particular course of action, and why didn't you or the other person wait a little longer or are simply now trying to figure out why it happened ???? ... relationships may have come to an end - some needed to and others may have jumped the gun and you are now wondering, or will be, why did I do that or end things at this point ...  how many of these relationship issues that resurfaced did you think surely had been settled back during the Venus retrograde from December 21st through January 31st ??? ... AND you may NOT be through with them just yet !!!! ... how many of you got married - OOPSIE !!! ... did you make any major purchases - homes, cars, electronics - that now don't seem like the best thought out course of action ??? ... there could be problems regarding any purchases made especially with anything where electrical energy and/or computers were involved ... all of these scenarios are possible as the energy of a Mercury retrograde is one where communications and mental energy is going "backwards" ... so now that the mental facilities are no longer going backwards - at least for most of us !!! - it's time to finally RELEASE these emotional holds and allow ourselves to move forward with our lives !!!

Mercury retrograding in the sign of Pisces may have produced an opportunity to rethink old habit patterns and how we emotionally respond to life’s challenges ... our minds may have become distracted either by constant confusion and misunderstandings, already a given in a Mercury retrograde, or strongly drawn to our intuitive abilities and the pursuit of some "ideal" ... also as Pisces, whose planetary ruler is Neptune, naturally rules the 12th house, were there issues regarding dealing with your inner strengths and weaknesses; endings on some level of our lives; places of confinement - jails, hospitals or mental institutions; the desire to withdraw to places of solitude so you could quietly reflect on your life and where you are heading; your frustrations; inner consciousness and the subconscious mind; charitable endeavors; was anyone deeply  inspired particularly if you have an aptitude for art, music, dancing or writing; or maybe some were dealing with actions that could ultimately result in their own self-undoing ???

On February 12th, Mercury returned to the sign of Aquarius to complete this retrograde journey ... the emphasis shifted to ones friendships, ideas, and goals in life as those are issues addressed in the 11th house of the natural horoscope which is ruled by Uranus the planet ruling Aquarius ... to that end, were there any  issues with groups to which one belongs, non-emotional relationships, the love one receives, money obtained  from ones profession or business, step children, adopted children and foster children, circumstances in life over which you have little control, and ones humanitarian interests ... did your mind become filled with creative, cutting edge ideas as you tried to determine how to incorporate them into your life ... did computers and electronics truly become victims of mayhem when Mercury reentered Aquarius ??? 

In regards to overall health, as Mercury is the natural planetary ruler of the 6th house which rules health, were there incidences of elevated  health issues in general during this Mercury retrograde ??? ... in addition to overall health, in Pisces especially the area of the feet and pineal glands, and in Aquarius the area of the ankles and the nervous system ...  

Mercury now moves forward to complete its journey through Aquarius ... and just a quick reminder of what this energy is all about follows: the mind and tongue tend to be unconventional sometimes to the extreme of shocking other people ... communication is made intelligently, objectively, openly, and independently... language used can be very individualistic and sometimes rebellious ... one thinks for them self and usually resists other people's answers ... learning is best done through questioning authority and seeking out unique experiences ... the mind is experimental, innovative, and future oriented ... one wants to explore all possibilities while keeping options open ... there is the tendency to jump from idea to idea resulting perhaps from an intuitive flash or brainstorming ... one must be careful not to become a victim of fragmented or erratic thinking ... there are usually excellent verbal skills here ... one can be quite objective allowing them to talk with just about anyone ... connections are best made on an individual basis ... interests usually include anything new age - oh say like astrology, numerology and tarot - and anything unusual, different, technological or progressive ... this energy frequently gives one the mind of a computer and the soul of a rebel !!!

Mercury in Aquarius usually indicates a fine and clever mind that is accurate, inventive and inquisitive ... people born under this energy - like yours truly!!! - often take a great interest in other people and have excellent judgement of human nature ... there is a love of analyzing character and motivation, and the finely tuned powers of observation that accompany this energy allow one to predict accurately how someone will react in a given situation ... Mercury here makes one a rather notorious people-watcher, and gives one a broad and emotionally detached outlook ... Aquarius is known as the sign of the truth-seeker and that characterizes the way this mind works ... sometimes one may seem eccentric as the ideas are so advanced ... and one may also enjoy saying things simply to shock other people - absolutely priceless, right ???

Mercury in Aquarius gives the mind the need for a lot of stimulation and activity ... interests are pursued thoroughly because of the capability of pursuing a train of thought for very long periods ... one is also capable of great inventive originality ... there is a desire to understand how the Universe is linked together ... one must be careful here of the powerful tendency toward abstraction causing one to become too detached and end up living in a mental environment that may be a long way from the reality of others around you ... also one may find that the thoughts speed so fast that one forgets to finish sentences - thinking others will understand where your thoughts were going - or one finishes other people's sentences for them in order to get on to the next topic ... a benefit of this energy is becoming aware that the individual mind is ultimately NOT separated from the Universal mind !!! ...

The lesson of Mercury in Aquarius is learning to think through liberating ... one perceives things mentally in a manner that seems to others as highly unlikely or even odd ... there is a definite streak of stubbornness running through the mind which is a result of having a sense of the "Truth" and understanding how things really  are ... one has to be careful of the inherent blind spot which is detached objectivity to the point of missing the emotional factors in a given situation ... one of the main challenges of this energy is to learn to communicate ones vision and help others see life from a point beyond their personal hopes and fears ...

Mercury remains in the sign of Aquarius until March 17th when it reenters Pisces to make its full transit which will conclude on April 7th ... Mercury will be back up to full speed on March 20th and it remains in direct motion until June 7th ...

Gemini and Virgo born, yet another period of review and reflection for you has come to an end ... how have you been enlightened ??? ... your ruling planet now resumes forward motion and much to your delight so will you !!! ... well sort of ....

HOWEVER ... before we all let go a huge sigh of relief and start to go too far too fast, keep in mind that roughly 26 hours after Mercury turns direct, Mars begins its next retrograde journey in the sign of Libra that will last for 80 days from March 1st through May 19th ... and for all the excitement and jubilation we now feel having Mercury back in direct motion, just how appropriate is it to use the phrase - "OFF WE GO AGAIN ..." ???

SEEKING THE "IDEAL" ... OR DECEIVING YOURSELF AND/OR OTHERS ???

The Sun began its transit of the dreamy, mystical sign of Pisces today, February 18th at 1:00 PM EST ... the energy now shifts from the rebellious, unpredictable marching to the beat of a different drummer to swimming in emotionally, compassionate yet sometimes very confusing waters ... in Pisces one may strive to shine by creating beauty, through ones compassion, through psychic openness, or seek recognition through spiritual or mystical paths ... those born under the sign of Pisces have come in with a soul lesson of needing to learn peace ...

Pisces is a feminine, water, mutable (flexibility/changeability) sign ... its symbol is two fish tied together - swimming in opposite directions which signify hidden depths, shifting emotional currents, conflicting desires and extremes of temperament ... its glyph is considered a picture of the human feet ... in symbolic terms the glyph is two crescent moons connected by a straight line representing emotion and higher consciousness tied to and limited by the material world ... its key phrase is "I believe" and its keyword is "Understanding" ... it is the sign opposite of Virgo ... anatomically it rules the pineal glands - in association with its ruling planet - and the feet ...

The ruling planet of Pisces is Neptune - Ancient God of the seas, second of the modern planets to be discovered (1846), and is the planet of illusion, glamour, mystery, and deception ... Neptune represents the spiritual or escapist urge, and its keyword is intuition ... it rules maritime matters, liquids, music, movies, stage and television, dreams, delusion, spirituality, ideals, mystique, hunches, creative functions, and things we take deeply for granted in life without questioning ... it also governs fog, petroleum, mystery, anesthetics, flattery, intangibles, fragrances, second sight, love of poetry, color and dancing ... in addition under its rule comes drugs and drug addiction, alcoholism, hypochondria, sleepwalking, trances, hypnosis, immateriality and abnormality ... its action is often subtle and gradual ... it is the higher vibrational octave of Venus and considered to be the second of the transcendental planets ... where you find Neptune in your natal chart is where you seek the "ideal", but also where you tend to deceive yourself and/or others ...

Pisces is the natural sign and ruler of the 12th house of the horoscope ... the keyword for the 12th house is subconscious and it is a house of endings - after all it is the final sign of the zodiac!!! ... the 12th house represents your inner strengths and weaknesses ... it depicts behind the scenes activity - including clandestine affairs - restorative solitude, places of quiet reflection, sorrows, handicaps, secrets, seclusion and frustration ...it can also indicate places of confinement such as jails, hospitals or mental institutions, as well as secret (hidden) enemies, restraint, inhibitions, exile, hidden dangers and self-undoing ...it shows the things we hide from others, and research, background, subjective sustainment, inner consciousness and the subconscious mind ... here we also find charity, sympathy and public welfare ... it is frequently referred to as the closet or dustbin of ones horoscope since it is in this house where we tend to sweep away or hide problems which are often too painful to face or difficulties that we refuse to acknowledge ... sometimes it can be a very creative area of the natal horoscope and can reflect ones aptitude for art, music, dancing, writing or acting ...

The lesson of the Sun in Pisces is learning to live through accepting ... life is a mystery and each one of us IS the mystery !!! ... under this energy one is innately aware and appreciative of all walks of life ... here one recognizes that the Soul of anything or of anyone is synonymous with sensitivity, which is synonymous with suffering, which is something one is undeniably aware of - joy and sorrow are one ... the energy of the Sun in Pisces can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: compassionate, self-sacrificing, suffers artistically, unassuming, self-effacing, gentle, still but stirring, wise, accepting, adaptable, confided in, sensitive, fascinating, mysterious, imaginative, multi-talented, selfless, devoted, easygoing

NEGATIVE: self-pitying, the human doormat, suffers needlessly, indecisive, self-limiting, wimpish, inwardly storm-tossed, inner doubts, oblivious, vague, un-forthcoming, escapist, deceptive, self-mystifying, impressionable, pointless, slaving, lazy

HAPPY SOLAR RETURN all Pisces born - your new astrological year has begun !!! ... The Sun now joins Neptune transiting in the sign of Pisces ... the Sun remains in Pisces until March 20th ...

While under the influence of Pisces, one can INSPIRE others in many ways - just don't forget to take some credit for it and then forget that you did ... give yourself to yourself before anyone else and become illuminated ... it is now time to explore your spirituality, and to dream, mystify, create, inspire, enlighten, be compassionate and believe in those fairy tale endings ... BUT - be cautious ere you might fall into the watery depths of addiction, depression and deception !!!