VENUS DIRECT - LET YOUR LOVE FLOW ???

 

VENUS - the planet representing attraction, how you may give and/or receive love and affection, shows how each one of us perceives beauty and happiness, shows what we value and dictates our personal values, shows how you relate, how you create and appreciate harmony through social and artistic expression, shows how we earn and spend our money, and shows exactly what it is you like - completed its retrograde journey for 2023 and stationed back into direct motion today, September 3rd, at 9:20 PM EDT !!!

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

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

As the weeks progress you may find little lights coming on in your mind as to decisions made in any of the above mentioned areas since the retrograde period began back on July 22nd ... there are an abundance of possibilities within this scope ... a lot of people may have realized that a significant partnership or relationship ended, and some of you may now suddenly find yourself having changed your mind or questioning why you made that decision, or the other person did, perhaps too hastily  ... it is also possible the person may now come back around and things might look entirely different with Venus moving forward again ... however, if it was time for the relationship to end, then it MUST be let go of for you to grow personally and spiritually in order to move forward ... for those of you who began significant new partnerships or relationships, ESPECIALLY of the romantic variety, you may discover that they will not have longevity as they were formed when the energy of love and relating was moving backwards and for twelve days of this period Mercury was also retrograde ... time will tell ... marriages entered into during these times often have an added sense of pressure - after all, Venus does naturally rule the 7th house of marriage and partnerships !!! 

For those of you who began significant new partnerships or relationships, ESPECIALLY of the romantic variety, you may discover that they will not have longevity as they were formed when the energy of love and relating was moving backwards and for twelve days of this period Mercury was also retrograde ... time will tell ... marriages entered into during these times often have an added sense of pressure - after all, Venus does naturally rule the 7th house of marriage and partnerships !!! 

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

Unfortunately, in this current economy, this could have also been the period where quite a few of you actually had your salary reduced or lost your job and are now job hunting once again, or have taken another job at a lower paying rate which may not pan out anyway is you started it during the retrograde period !!! ... again, let's not forget this little item - how many of you ended up shelling out money on something you had no intention of or no idea that you would be spending money on ???



For those of you who made significant costly purchases, especially of the luxury variety, you may find yourself wondering why you spent so much money or simply realize that what you thought you really desired doesn't hold much attraction (value) anymore or that you have over payed for what you got !!!

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

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

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

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

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

Taurus, naturally ruled by Venus, anatomically rules the throat, chin, cheeks and sense of taste, there could have been health issues arising in these areas of the body ... or some could have had to go back and re-address an old issue concerning these areas ... the kidneys, as Venus also naturally rules the sign of Libra, were potentially faced with issues; and possible issues with the heart, upper back, right eye of the male and left eye of the female with the Sun ruling the sign of Leo ... did anyone have cosmetic surgery during the last 6 weeks, hmmmm ??? .. there is a chance that some of you who did may ultimately not be pleased with the results or feel that you didn't get the enhancement you sought and here too feel you may have over payed for the services rendered, or even possibly have to go back at some future date for some kind of correctional procedure !!!

Everyone should try and think back to the period between December 19th, 2021 through January 29th, 2022 - is there something you may have begun in regards to any of the above mentioned areas Venus rules that became an issue for you during this Venus retrograde period ??? ... it is very common for this to occur ... to that end, anything begun during this current Venus retrograde period that just ended may yield problems in the days, weeks or months ahead, or lie dormant until the next Venus retrograde period occurs in 2025 !!!

Taurus and Libra born individuals, your period for inward reflection and review - especially of what had transpired in your life since the end of the last Venus retrograde on January 29th, 2022 - is now over and once again you start moving forward to pursue new avenues of personal and spiritual growth and maturity ... there could have been some significant insight, if you were paying attention during the last 6 weeks, that enlightened you as to what, where or who was no longer serving its usefulness in your life, and was not truly reflecting who you are on the inside as well as preventing personal and spiritual growth ...and this is also a possibility for all of us !!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THIS VENUS CARES - IT REALLY CARES, and will make darn sure you know it !!! .. this energy loves big entrances and high drama ... ultimately, it just outright loves good old-fashioned romance ... it enjoys the limelight, attention, admiration and applause ... it gives a natural magnetism and sex appeal ... others often find the expression of this energy down right exciting ... affection is expressed dramatically and wholeheartedly ... it can make one magnanimous, loyal, playful and magnetic in love ... the handling of money and possessions is usually generous, extravagant, and speculative ... there is a desire for zest, enthusiasm and an adrenaline rush in ones love relationships ... ones pride and urge for recognition affects ones capacity for closeness ... clothes and appearance are also very important with this energy !!!



Venus in Leo is all about learning to love through what we create ... this is where love "shines" ... it is important to give some form of creative expression to your feelings and passion in relationships ... and even though one is very  enthusiastic, there ironically may exist a deep-seated "doubt" of ones own ability to be loved which others cannot detect outwardly from you ... artistic sense is very strong ... life is frequently viewed as an ongoing creative experience !!!



At some point, one must ultimately go looking for their inner beauty ... one thing you can be compared with is your self-respect ... what each of us has to give is priceless ... channel the larger than life energy here into larger than life pursuits or pastimes ... love and allow yourself to be loved in return ... this energy likes admiration, mutual respect, lavish parties, showing off ones partner, and old fashioned classic courtship ... it dislikes even the slightest rejection, behavior that is insulting, being "shown up" by others, and a lack luster love ... the energy of Venus in Leo can be expressed in the following ways:


POSITIVE: romantic, ardent, passionate, loyal, artistic, dramatic, entertaining, fun-loving, radiant, outgoing, warm, openly affectionate, charming, attractive, benevolent, gives a lot, social pride, personal pride, fun to be with


NEGATIVE: unrealistic, sexually obsessed, consuming, too loyal, prima donna, overbearing, demanding, inappropriate, self-centered, showy, brassy, flirtatious, seducing, flaunting, expects too much, snobbish, vain,  competitive, game-playing

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



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

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

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

WILL YOU BECOME A REBEL WITH OR WITHOUT A SPECIFIC CAUSE ???

URANUS - the planet known as the great awakener, the rebel, the planet of intuition and the sixth sense and sudden and unexpected change as well as revolutions and breakthroughs, radicals and radical ideas and behavior, the ruler of astrologers and inventors, and the planet closely associated with electricity, technology and electronics - began its retrograde journey for 2023 today, August 28th, at 10:39 PM EDT, at 23 DEGREES 4 MINUTES  TAURUS - do I hear a loud collective groan of  UH-OHHHHH as if we've had enough to deal with once again this year especially with both Mercury and Venus currently retrograde ??? !!!! ... where you find Uranus in your individual natal chart is usually where you tend to do the unusual and break from the norm ... Uranus, which takes 84 years to make a complete journey through the 12 signs of the Zodiac, most certainly marches to the beat of a different drum !!!! ... and if you know or are an Aquarius born individual, you probably understand this very well !!! ... Uranus was last retrograde from August 24th, 2022 through January 22nd, 2023 !!!

Uranus is the planet of the unconscious, and even during a retrograde journey that is where its energy will be most highly concentrated ... however, during a retrograde period the energy will tend to be even more pronounced ... people born with Uranus retrograde in their natal chart - and there are a lot of us out there since Uranus retrogrades for about 5 months out of each year - are frequently found on the forefront when it comes to change and actions that are oriented towards the future and on the cutting edge ... the desire to reform or rebel is perhaps even stronger during a retrograde period than when Uranus is direct ... if you've had a natal chart run and know in which house or houses 23 DEGREES 4 MINUTES TAURUS back to 19 DEGREES 5 MINUTES TAURUS fall, then you might get an idea in what area of your life where this particular retrograde energy will most likely play out ... you might also want to check and see if you have any natal planets, regardless of sign placement, at or close to the degree of the beginning of the retrograde and the degrees that this retrograde period will cross back over as events can suddenly spring up in regards to the aspect Uranus might make !!!



During a transiting Uranus retrograde, it's time for each one of us to ask ourselves what changes do we see happening in the world and ask ourselves how we are contributing to or working against them ... it is very important during the retrograde period to look at the connections between ones own personal changes and those that are occurring around the world ... how are they connected and do we need to find a better way to do that ??? ... are we helping mankind move forward through positive growth or are we being counterproductive through our rebellion to assert our individuality, independence and freedom and ultimately causing more problems than we solve ???

As Uranus is currently in the middle stages of transiting through the sign of Taurus - where the lesson of this energy is all about "awakening" through learning to stabilize - the Universe has been giving not only Taurus born - who may have especially felt the impact of this retrograde - but everyone a glimpse of things to come and where CHANGE WILL NEED TO BE AND MUST BE ADDRESSED and WILL ULTIMATELY TAKE PLACE while Uranus transits Taurus ... Uranus is considered to be in its "fall" in Taurus as it opposite to the sign it is exalted in which is Scorpio ... in "fall", a planet can have difficulty in expressing its real nature ... it is said that in "fall", it's like the planet is visiting in someone else's house where it does not really feel comfortable ... so does this make its often disruptive, rebellious nature even more challenging or modify it somewhat ??? ... each individual will discover that on their own during this transit !!!



Uranus has been literally slowing down and sending out its often disruptive vibrational energy at the 23 degree Taurus position since August 16th creating a lot of tension, uproar and irritation on many levels no doubt especially since approximately August 20th as it was pretty much "astrologically" at a standstill ... the Universe has been making not only Taurus and Aquarius born - who may especially feel the impact of this retrograde - but everyone else aware there WILL BE CHANGE which NEEDS to be and MUST be addressed while Uranus is retrograde ,,, and it may not always be pleasant and/or easy in some cases ... but keep in mind for all the uproar Uranus can cause it frequently produces sudden and unexpected flashes of intuition and outright genius ... those who may be especially sensitive to this energy shift include Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn born as well as Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius !!!


There could be a lot of us who experienced this tension during this past week ... in some cases there may have been a sudden and/or unexpected change take place out of the blue ... or even a confrontational situation arose we were not expecting ... until the retrograde energy settles in, there could be instances of rebellion, disruption, explosions and confrontations  !!!



Uranus remains retrograde for 151 days until January 27th, 2024 !!!



Aquarius born individuals, this is your yearly period to review and reflect on what is going on in your life and see how and where you might need to make some positive changes to further personal and spiritual growth ... you may especially want to pay attention to what has transpired in your lives since Uranus finished its last retrograde journey and resumed direct motion back on January 22nd of this year ... along with Aquarius born individuals, we ALL will most likely have something illuminated from our subconscious that needs to be dealt with which certainly requires a necessary change as well  as rethinking something somewhere in our lives that we suddenly and probably quite unexpectedly took action against to bring about change that perhaps now we realize wasn't the best course of action to have taken ... but will we willingly do this or will the Universe force us to come face to face with our erratic actions and be accountable for them ???

Now we have this "electrically" charged drive turned inward urging us to move forward with purpose, to be different, to be independent, to have our individual freedom, to do things suddenly and unexpectedly and to be downright rebellious - that's the way retrograde Uranus rolls ... or should I say shakes ???

One thing is for sure - when we are dealing with the sudden, unexpected, disruptive, revolutionary energy of Uranus, which can lead to something highly innovative and ahead of its time or perhaps negatively something that is disastrous and life changing in a way we didn't want, it makes it absolutely a time to be prepared to EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED ... so the ultimate question becomes - will you become a rebel with or without a specific cause ???  

THE ABILITY TO BE AWARE OF AND HAVE THE COURAGE TO EXPRESS AND LIVE BY YOUR OWN MORAL CONVICTIONS !!!

 

MARS - began its fiery, passionate transit through the romantic, sociable sign of Libra today, August 27th, 2023, at 9:20 AM EDT ... Libra is ruled by Venus the planet of love, relationships and money !!! ... Mars was last in Libra from September 14th/15th through October 30th, 2021 ... think back to that time period as to what was going on and be prepared as similar issues have the potential to arise once again especially if they were not properly addressed or handled incorrectly during that period !!!

Mars is said to be in "detriment" in the sign of Libra as this is the sign directly opposite the one it rules which is Aries ... Mars is therefore like a guest in someone else's "house" and must conform to their rules !!! ... Normally air (Libra) gives life to fire (Mars), but for all of its robust energy, Mars here can easily get out of control rather quickly !!! ... and it should be no surprise that Mars sometimes has  trouble operating in the sign of Libra because its need for direct action is limited by the need for approval and cooperation of others !!!



Mars in Libra urges us to find the balance between personal and interpersonal needs and desires as well as the balance between self-surrender and self-aggression ... this Mars can be as gentle as a lamb or become as mad as a hornet !!! ... it is strategic, charming, generous, amiable, cooperative, persuasive, enjoys entertaining, sociable and very interested in new ideas ... self-reliance is sometimes lacking here and one must learn to stand on their own ... here we have energy that is naturally people oriented and often learns through relating with others ... it can be highly competitive ... it is energy which makes one work on balancing opposites and therefore indecision can arise if you go overboard with the need to weigh and balance everything ... identity is tied in with interactions to others ... physical and sexual drive are strongly influenced by ones partner ... the sex drive can be very impulsive and extremely sensuous !!!



Mars in Libra can also propel one into a conflict of argument with someone else - and at times people are forced to agree with you just to end the discussion and shut you up !!! ... it can be sweet and smile a lot, but ultimately "kill you with kindness" ... as Mars is considered such a fiery planet, it is possible that during this transit one could have "flare ups" with health issues in regards to the lower back, the buttocks and the kidneys !!!

Mars in Libra is the initiator of social activities and wants to be noticed and appreciated ... sometimes personal desires and ambitions can be confused with others ... aggressive and energetic partners are sought here ... this energy can produce great anger when principles of justice are violated even if the person is not the actual victim ... a large amount of this energy can be spent forming emotional relationships ... this is an excellent position for producing highly unique artistic and literary talent !!!



Mars in Libra ultimately shows one how to get what we want through how we relate ... its the social mover and shaker ... the drive to balance impulses ... a major challenge here is to get what you want but do so by fitting in with social values and emotional requirements ... one must learn to adjust needs and values to their desires ... desires here tend to spring from a feeling of wanting everyone to be in harmony and pull together ... ultimately the energy of Mars in Libra is the ability to be aware of and have the courage to express and live by your own moral convictions !!!

Mars in Libra is the transformer ... it likes togetherness, doing things in style, the social whirl, knowing ones own desires, and equal partnerships ... it dislikes injustice, being overly blunt, indecisiveness, being dominant or being dominated ... the energy of Mars in Libra can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: attentive lover, enthusiastic, skillful lover, gentle, fair, easygoing, diplomatic, co-operative, persuasive, binding, discreet, perceptive, idealistic, intuitive, principled, measured, polite, considerate, agreeable, sedate

NEGATIVE: fawning, idolizing, impersonal, tentative, bland, indecisive, insincere, misleading, devious, awkward, judgmental, unreal, unfeeling, self-limiting, inhibited, vulgar, selfish, impulsive

Libra born individuals, this is the time when your energy is given that extra big boost ... just proceed with caution, which we all should, as Mercury is currently retrograde in Virgo and will be so for the first 20 days of this transit of Mars ... BUT ... be especially cautious as Venus, planetary ruler of Libra as previously stated, is currently retrograde in Leo, which naturally rules the 5th house of romance, creativity and pleasurable pursuits, and will be so for the first 8 days of this transit of Mars which is stirring up that desire for romantic connections ... got to love that cosmic sense of humor, right ???



ARIES born, your ruling planet begins transiting through a new sign ready for you to learn new lessons or repeat some if you didn't get it during previous transits of Mars through Libra ... okay, perhaps SCORPIO born too as this is your ancient ruler !!!

We may find this period very productive but we will also have to guard against proceeding with such great force that we accidentally "incinerate" others with our heightened enthusiasm and drive ... it is also possible that others may interpret your actions as pushy and confrontational even though your intentions and emotional intent are just the opposite !!!

Mars remains in the sign of Libra until October 11th/12th depending on which time zone in which you live ... take care not to let the object(s) of your affection (Libra) get so infused with this fiery warrior energy (Mars) that they end up becoming the object(s) of your aggression and you accidentally by mistake end up destroying !!!

MAKE LOVE NOT WAR !!!

WAITING FOR THE OTHER SHOE TO DROP ??? ... AND JUST LIKE THAT - BOOM !!!

  

MERCURY -  began its third retrograde journey for 2023 today, August 23rd, at 3:59 PM EDT ... if you've been following my blogs, or most anyone else who writes about this "phenomena", then you know pretty much what to expect during a Mercury Retrograde ... as always - EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!!! ... some of you may have noticed the energy beginning to move backwards already when Mercury entered its shadow point - the point where it will come out of the retrograde on September 15th - on August 3rd/4th when it reached 8 degrees Virgo  ... from now on things somehow just don't seem to go right or as we planned and we often find ourselves RE-DOING things, not only inside the retrograde period, but especially after Mercury stations back into direct motion ... and this Mercury retrograde being in one of the signs it naturally rules, this time Virgo, potentially may add quite the extra punch ... especially as it now joins another personal planet, that being Venus the other "shoe", already currently retrograde in the sign of Leo !!!



This Mercury retrograde occurs completely in the sign of Virgo going from 21 degrees 51 minutes Virgo back to 8 degrees Virgo !!!

Mercury, although retrograde partially in Virgo during 2022 and 2017, was last completely retrograde in Virgo from August 30th through September 22nd, 2016 ... anything come to mind during those periods regarding this backward energy ??? 



Obviously communications are going to be challenged both to and from others ... partnerships and relationships often hit the skids during these periods ... it is NOT a good time to make major purchases - especially cars - a big NO NO, 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 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 .... 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 ... 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 !!!

And what about Weddings you ask ... or did you ??? ... NO NO NO !!! ... now I know it takes time to plan a wedding and if you have already done so then there is no need to rush and cancel it ... sometimes it is the impromptu weddings that run into serious trouble ... regardless, I would highly suggest you get someone to note when you are pronounced a married couple and then find a reputable astrologer to run an event chart for the "birth" of the wedding relationship in particular to see in which house this Mercury retrograde energy falls ... this would give you a good idea in what area of life you might run into difficulties down the road or certainly where to keep an eye out for potential trouble !!!



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



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 ... it is said that the use of Mercury retrograde cycles are to reconnect the individual with the Universal rhythm ... this is NOT the time to make vast sweeping changes ... rather one should keep an eye open for possibilities that could prove more satisfying once the energy has returned back to direct motion ... and to point out once again, I have found that some people who are born with Mercury retrograde in their natal chart may have the tendency to navigate these often turbulent waters somewhat easier !!!

As Mercury retrogrades in Virgo, Mercury in Virgo already "slows" down the mental process with Virgo being an Earth sign, and adding retrograde energy to it just complicates matters where there is already the tendency to over analyze everything down to the last detail !!! ... Mercury retrograde in an Earth sign tends to shift the focus to more practical matters !!! 

As Virgo is the natural ruler of the 6th house of the horoscope, one might expect to potentially encounter issues regarding employment, employees, tenants, servants, pets, dependents, service given to others, routine matters, your clothes and how you wear them, hygiene, interest in food and ones diet, sickness and all conditions affecting your health ... the 6th house also relates to ones aunts and uncles, self-adjustments and ones unconscious mind ... it is important to note that in the 6th house, work and health are linked together !!! 

In  regards to health, Mercury specifically rules the nervous system, brain, sight, hands and arms, and Virgo rules the intestinal area in the body so there could potentially be issues in these areas as well in addition to other health issues that might arise as Mercury naturally rules the 6th house which includes health and nutrition !!!

If you've had a natal chart done and know in which house or houses 21 degrees 51 minutes Virgo back to 8 degrees Virgo  fall in your chart, then you may get a good idea as to what the main issues of this Mercury retrograde has in store for you ... this is where you are most likely going to find issues arise particularly for you in the areas of life governed by the house or houses where this Mercury retrograde falls in your natal chart ... A lot to "think" about when the mental processing is not functioning at its best ... once again a good reminder of how important it is to have a natal chart run by a reputable Astrologer !!! 

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

Gemini and Virgo born since Mercury is your natural ruling planet, this is your time to "try" and slow down for personal review and rethinking - especially in regards as to what has transpired in your lives since Mercury last resumed direct motion on May 15th !!!

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 (September 15th).


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. Hold off until AFTER September 15th !!!


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 in September after the 15th, you will most likely 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. Smile.


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


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



Those of you born between August 24th and September 14th will definitely have Mercury retrograde energy in your birthday (solar return) chart for the whole year ahead ... those born on August 23rd and September 15th may or may not get this backward energy depending on the time of your solar return !!! ... some of you may get both Mercury and Venus retrograde in your solar return chart for this year as Mercury will be retrograde for the final 12 days of the current Venus retrograde ... below is a repeat explanation of what it means to have Mercury Retrograde for the whole year in your birthday chart:



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



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



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



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




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



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



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



For all of us, now 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 April 21st through May 15th, or, like Gemini and Virgo born, actions we undertook since the last Mercury Retrograde ended on May 15th ... and it would not be out of the realm of possibilities to have issues arise from previous Mercury retrogrades especially the three most recent periods which include April 21st - May 15th, December 29th,2022 - January 18th,2023 and September 10th - October 7th, 2022  ... and in some cases issues arising from previous retrograde periods further back than those mentioned ... after all, Mercury is known as the "trickster" and you never know what may occur or "resurface" to be dealt with and completed !!!



Whatever the case, it is for sure that there will undoubtedly be lights going ON in our heads regarding certain actions as well as other lights going OUT as this Mercury retrograde energy wreaks its cosmic havoc for the next 23 days ... Mercury remains retrograde until September 15th...and yes now there are 5 planets - Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Neptune, Pluto - retrograde, 6 when Uranus stations retrograde 8/28th-29th) and in September there will be 6 planets retrograde - Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Neptune, Pluto with Jupiter being added to replace Venus after it stations direct - both occurring on September 4th ... and NO it's not an unusual occurrence and NO it isn't the end of times ... simply stated, it means there is a lot of cosmic energy directing us to go inward and examine what is going on in our lives and where we need to make changes !!!

It would be in your best interest to slow down and try not to act too impulsively and swim upstream in a raging current of cosmic chaos or the day may come in the near future when you live to regret what you did ... be aware that tempers will flare and patience may become very scarce at times  ... most importantly, keep that sense of humor close at hand ... it will definitely be needed many times !!!

As always my fellow beings of light, when all is said and done, the burning question becomes whether or not will we become the victim of Constant Cosmic chaos, the recipient of great Cosmic Clarity - or perhaps both ???  

JUST WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK ... WORK ... WORK - BUT JUST HOW PRODUCTIVE WILL YOUR EFFORTS BE THIS TIME AROUND - "MIND HOW YOU GO" !!!

The Sun begins its "highly efficient" transit through the methodical, discriminating sign of Virgo tomorrow, August 23rd, at 5:01 AM EDT ... the cosmic solar energy now lowers the curtain on the flamboyant and dramatic energy of Leo which can produce so many overblown egos and has shifted into a slower, more highly work oriented mode of operation ... with the Sun in Virgo, one likes express themselves through their competency, through their work and/or health, through being pragmatic, and through their tendency towards discretion !!!

Virgo is a feminine/earth/mutable(flexible) sign ... it is reserved, modest, practical, very discriminating and industrious, highly analytical and painstaking, and always seeking to know and understand ... its key phrase is "I ANALYZE" and it's keyword is "Practicality" ... its glyph is the Greek spelling for the word "virgin" ... anatomically it rules the nervous system and the intestines - this energy can make one prone to illness caused by stress and nervous tension ... it can also make one highly prone to ulcers ... it is the sign directly opposite of Pisces in the natural zodiac where one can be dreamy, given to imagination, self-delusion and escapism ... Virgo is the sign of work and self-improvement yielding a perfectionist nature which will dissect and analyze - often over-analyzing - all of the facts in order to obtain the ultimate truth and gather all available information !!!

Virgo is ruled by the planet Mercury ... this is the second sign Mercury naturally rules - the other being Gemini ... Mercury is the ancient God of communication and commerce ... Mercury rules intelligence and reason, and tends to give one a rather high strung temperament ... Mercury represents the intellectual urge, reasoning ability and all avenues of expression ... so naturally it would rule mental capacity, dexterity, rationalization, sensory perceptions, travel - in particular short trips, brothers and sisters, children, speaking, writing, bookkeeping, secretaries, neighborhood activities, letters, mailings, means of transportation, trade and techniques ... where you find Mercury in your natal chart is the place which shows where and how you best communicate !!!

Virgo naturally rules the 6th house of the horoscope ... it is a house of duty and substance ... it relates to ones work, health and habits ... it shows employment, employees, tenants, servants, pets, and dependents ... it also shows service to others, routine day to day matters, ones clothing and how it is worn, hygiene, interest in food and health, sickness and all conditions that would affect ones health ... this house also shows aunts and uncles, self-adjustment, and the unconscious mind ... in this house, work and health are tied together !!!

The Sun transiting Virgo helps us to learn how to live productively through rational analysis ... here we have the perfectionist ... through constant analysis we are seeking a state of purity ... this energy must have some kind of work or be of some kind of service for life to make sense ... it is energy that is continuously preparing for something ... there is a need here to perfect some kind of technique through vigorous study and training and through this one can reduce the everyday wear and tear on the nervous system and the intestinal  area ... proper rest, retreat and good diet are a MUST here ... serve your body well and it will serve you and others well in return !!! ... the energy of the Sun in Virgo can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: thoughtful, analytical, lively mind, observant, scholarly, precise, pure intentions, discriminating, helpful, problem-solving, wholesome, health-conscious, industrious, methodical, efficient, reliable, modest, considerate, pure

NEGATIVE: over thinks, skeptical, worrier, critical, dry, fault-finding, interfering, problem-making, fussy, hypochondriac, workaholic, inflexible, overly mechanical, spoil sport, unsure, stand-offish, sterile, petty, melancholy, picky

HAPPY SOLAR RETURN VIRGO BORN !!! ... the Sun is now transiting through Virgo along with Mercury and Mars ... there's a lot of energy that is focused like a laser beam on being exact, precise, paying attention to every detail and being very discriminating !!!  ... The Sun remains in the sign of Virgo until September 22nd/23rd depending on which time zone in which you live !!!



During this solar transit through Virgo, we will be immersed in facts, figures, daily work and service issues, health and nutritional issues, and possibly family issues on some level !!! 

But just how productive will this solar transit end up being this time around ??? ... Mercury, natural ruler of Virgo, stations retrograde roughly 11 hours after the Sun makes its ingress into Virgo ... Mercury will be retrograde for 24 days of this 32 day solar transit ... and keep in mind Venus, currently retrograde in Leo, which the Sun naturally rules, will be retrograde for the first 12 days of the Sun transiting through Virgo ... and for some of you Virgo born, you will get either Venus, Venus and Mercury or only Mercury retrograde in your solar return chart for the year ahead depending on when your solar return occurs this year ... what an interesting dance of cosmic energy !!!


Time to learn to step back and look at the larger picture which is a very difficult and challenging task under this energy  ... if something is working, DO NOT TRY TO FIX IT !!! ... help where it's not needed becomes a hindrance ... understand that true perfection consists of being able to accept life's imperfections and not worry so much about picky, petty issues ... think of the mind as a "lens" with the ability to focus on what is not only close up but far away as well !!!

So what is there left to say ??? - JUST WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK ... WORK ... WORK ... but this time around, "MIND HOW YOU GO" !!!   

A HIGHLY ANALYTICAL AND PRECISE MINDSET - BUT WILL ONE HAVE THE ABILITY TO STEP BACK AND LOOK AT THE BIGGER PICTURE AS WELL ???

 

MERCURY - begins its extended transit through the highly focused sign of Virgo today, July 28th, at 5:31 PM EDT ... thinking and communicating processes now shift from what was a fiery, highly creative energy to being more rational and efficient sometimes to a fault  ... and even though Virgo is an Earth sign which is somewhat prone to slower movement,  Mercury is dignified in this position, very happy and very much at home here and functions well as this is one of the two signs it naturally rules - the other being Gemini ... Mercury was last in Virgo from August 4th - October 4th 2022 ... it actually completed its initial transit but returned to Virgo per retrograde motion thus the extended transit last year ... this transit will last longer again as a result of the third Mercury retrograde period for 2023 but it will stay in Virgo the entire time this year !!!

Mercury in Virgo usually gives the mind a rather precise, thorough and analytical ability ... communications and thinking can be logical, helpful, critical, negative, skeptical, practical or humble ... one is apt to put their mind to work doing their job ... this intellect is excellent for writing or technical crafts, and converting ideas into a tangible form ... there is a talent for organization, but sometimes the discriminating and highly focused mind could get mired in too many details and become excessively critical ... one of the challenges of this energy is to learn to step back and look at the bigger picture in addition to avoid getting immersed in all the fine details ... learning is best achieved in an organized sequence and a logical presentation !!!

Concern for details can often lead to the syndrome of "not being able to see the forest for the trees" ... there is also likely to be an interest in health, nutrition, competence and ones day to day work ... this Mercury says exactly what it wants to say - no more no less ... to quote a familiar television phrase,  this energy wants to know "Just the facts Ma'am" !!! ... it has a quick, dry wit, bestows a fine eye for detail, and usually produces very neat and readable handwriting ... this energy can also make one very skilled with their hands and often craftspeople are born with this energy in their natal chart !!!

Mercury in Virgo is very impartial and gets to sorting through all the details to where the logic and precision can discover the heart of the matter ... with this fine intelligence, systematically clarifying and refining information received and understanding the patterns comes naturally ... here we have a logical, practical mind that produces a quick learner ... on the challenging side, Mercury in Virgo can make ones mind so very active with all the extraneous processing that it is sometimes difficult to quiet and still the mind yielding restlessness and/or the inability to sleep ... just ask someone born with Mercury in Virgo !!!

Mercury in Virgo encourages us to learn to think by analyzing ... it's the pure mind ... the ability to reason functions very well here ... a big challenge though is to not live totally in your mind and understand there is a big difference between knowledge and actual experience ... this energy also can help one assist others in seeing things more clearly - in forms such as writing, editing, counselling, teaching, drawing and translating ... there is the ability to assimilate vast amounts of complex information !!!

Ironically, when it comes to expressing something close to ones heart, this energy can make one obscure it in a lot of irrelevant references ... this energy makes it necessary to thoroughly grasp a specific subject as without training or education one is more likely to suffer greater than others from being unemployed, underemployed or unemployable ... the ultimate goal with this energy is to appreciate that what gets in the way of understanding life is thinking way too much about it - a totally clear mind is really no mind at all !!!! .... the energy of Mercury in Virgo can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: analytical, objective, systematic, logical, discerning, precise, meticulous, clever, eloquent, well-read, well-informed, accurate, retentive memory, fast learner, highly efficient, good worker, modest, helpful, practical

NEGATIVE: unfeeling, remote, clinical, cold and dry, hypercritical, trivial, worrisome, wordy, bookish, intellectual snob, misses the point, greedy mind, impatient, high strung, workaholic, self-critical, skeptical, slave to reasoning, pointless

Virgo born individuals, no doubt you will be infused with plenty of practical ideas as Mercury passes through  your birth sign ... for all of us, with Mercury in Virgo we should remember that the point we are trying to communicate should be remembered, researched, rehearsed and then expressed ... make the best of what you actually know ... what's the use of knowing everything and feeling nothing ???

Mercury now joins Mars transiting through the sign of Virgo !!! ... Mercury remains in Virgo until ... WAIT FOR IT ... October 4th and of course you know why !!!

Mercury will only get as far as 21 degrees 51 minutes Virgo when it begins its third retrograde journey for 2023 ... the retrograde will occur from August 23rd through September 15th going from 21 degrees 51 minutes Virgo back to 8 degrees Virgo ... keep in mind that the first 12 days of the next Mercury retrograde will be embedded in the final 12 days of the current Venus retrograde which began back on July 22nd ... and how is that going for everyone so far ??? ... Mercury enters its next shadow point on August 3rd/4th depending on which time zone in which you live !!!

The thrust of Mercury's mission in Virgo boils down to encouraging us to analyze and scrutinize every piece of information, and to ultimately make sure we have crossed every T and dotted every I  .... over and over again which ironically is just what Mercury loves to do in Virgo anyway whether in direct or retrograde motion ... hopefully everyone  wont lose too much sleep while the mind is now racing while analyzing so much information that will be coming and going !!! 

A PRONOUNCED CRAVING FOR ATTENTION AND TO BE CREATIVE WITH A HEIGHTENED NEED TO BE APPRECIATED !!!

 

The SUN began its "majestic" transit through the dramatic, romantic, proud sign of Leo yesterday, July 22nd, at 9:51 PM EDT ... this solar energy is all about is being acknowledged, appreciated and applauded !!!



The Sun in Leo is very happy here ... in fact it is in dignity as this is the sign it naturally rules in the zodiac ... when a planet, or luminary in this case, is in dignity, you control the circumstances in whatever area of your life the sign falls !!! ... The Sun is extremely efficient with its energy transiting Leo being dignified in this position ... if you've had your natal chart done, then you may gain awareness on what "stage" of your life this energy may affect you during this 33 day solar transit !!!

The Sun in Leo bestows us with a pronounced craving for attention ... Leo energy usually loves giving and receiving hugs ... The Sun in Leo encourages one  to grow through creative endeavors, seek recognition through risk-taking or exciting activities, extend generosity, and certainly embrace ones own charisma ... this is the ultimate in fire energy - it is very happy, optimistic energy ... and isn't the Sun pretty much at its peak in Summer during July/August (at least in the Northern hemisphere !!!) ??? ... it's easy to see why these native born individuals are so warm and cheerful - unless of course they are modified by some other "darker" energy in their natal chart !!! 

Leo is a masculine/fire/fixed sign which makes it enthusiastic, powerful, expansive and creative, generous and extravagant, dogmatic and VERY FIXED in its opinions ... as previously stated, Leo is ruled by the Sun, so the Sun is extremely happy to be transiting through this sign !!! ... the Sun is the center of our solar system and therefore the most powerful planetary influence which bestows vitality and authority !!!

Leo's symbol is the Lion - regal, brave, dominating, possessing nobility and pride, and sometimes insensitive to pain ... the glyph for Leo represents two valves of the heart ... it is also the Greek symbol for the first letter of Leo ... symbolically, it is two incomplete circles of the Sun joined by a crescent Moon (its tail) which symbolizes that power is derived from both the intellect and the emotions ... its key phrase is "I Will" and its keyword is "Magnetism" ... the Sun is the main expression of the individual ... it shows the qualities of leadership and success ... it represents the masculine principle, the father, husband, and men in general ... it rules health, vital principles, authority and bosses, rank, title, high office, progress, dignity, energy, sense of identity and capacity for experience ... wherever the Sun is located in your natal chart is where you find the life and heart of your horoscope - it is where you truly want and need to shine !!!

Leo anatomically rules the heart, back, spine, the right eye of the male and the left eye of the female ... emotional strain and physical overexertion can cause back and spinal ailments in Leo born people ... sometimes Leo born people can be overbearing and challenging to the point of unknowingly provoking others into impulsive violence !!! ... Leo is the sign directly opposite of Aquarius in the natural zodiac !!!

Leo naturally rules the 5th house of the horoscope ... it is a house of life whose keyword is "Creativity" ... the 5th house represents children, artistic expression, love affairs, romance, pleasure, amusements, holidays, vacations, games, speculation, hobbies and what distracts you from your main employment ... it also represents your emotional attitude, the love you give, your enterprise, sports, originality and creative outlets, shows dramatic, literary or artistic ability, shows publications, politics, the fine arts, social affairs, pregnancy and the education of children ... also represented here are any groups to which you may belong that relate to having fun !!!

The Sun in Leo encourages us to live through the process of creating and being creative ... it is one who is truly a child of the Sun ... it wants to shine and be the center of attention ... even if you are shy or lacking in confidence, you will want to be noticed in some way ... respect is vitally important not only for yourself but from others as well ... respect is dependent on self-respect ... a radiant glow is often physically noticeable !!!

Leo can create an "air of certainty" which makes many things possible ... but for all the apparent confidence streaming forth from ones heart, it can belie the fact that one is highly dependent on being appreciated !!! ... here one must pay special attention to critics and admirers alike to avoid being blinded by ones own light and thus destroying whatever it is that one originally tried to create and maintain - a relationship, ones home, health, profession or even ones own children ... just like the Sun, Leo energy cannot see the shadow it casts ... ultimately Leo must realize that its power and influence shine through it and not from it ... and when that power is wounded or challenged, it is very much like the Sun disappearing behind a cloud - the world becomes a colder and darker place ... the energy of the Sun in Leo can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: noble, confident, generous, gracious, encouraging, commanding, ambitious, enterprising, proud, cultivated, dramatic sense, impressive, self-expressive, wealth of ideas, fun to be with, warm, affectionate, loyal, romantic

NEGATIVE: pretentious, self-righteous, flamboyant, domineering, demanding, intolerant, overestimating, vain, snobby/stuck-up, melodramatic, show-off, self-centered, overbearing, overblown, scorching, affected, fierce, impossible, unrealistic



HAPPY SOLAR RETURN LEO BORN !!!! ... Leo born individuals this is your time of year to SHINE - even more so than you usually do most of the time !!!



For all of us, we should remember that most of those who love us do so for our "inner glow more than our outer show" ... the Sun never tries to shine AND set conditions - THE SUN JUST SHINES !!! ... recognize, appreciate, respect and pardon both yourself and others ... take time to get in touch with your inner child and try to enjoy the simple pleasures of life !!!

The Sun now joins Mercury already in transit through Leo as well as Venus, currently retrograde which began approximately 17 minutes before the Sun made its ingress into Leo and will be retrograde during this entire solar transit ... the Sun remains in the sign of Leo until August 23rd when it moves into Virgo and we become highly focused on daily work and service, health and nutrition and possibly family issues - maybe even more so than usual ... and that's because Mercury begins its third retrograde period for 2023, entirely in the sign of Virgo, approximately 11 hours after the Suns ingress into Virgo ... therefore the solar transit of Virgo, which is ruled by Mercury, will have the Mercury retrograde embedded in the first 24 days of its transit ... these next two solar transits could be rather challenging  !!!

For now, this larger than life energy compels each one of us to take "center stage" in some area of our life ... and as the lyrics to that famous song goes - "WHAT IS IT THAT WE'RE LIVING FOR ... APPLAUSE ... APPLAUSE" !!!