LOVE, RELATIONSHIPS AND MONEY - IS WHAT WE HAVE ENOUGH TO KEEP US SECURE AND ON SOLID GROUND - OR MUST WE TAKE AN HONEST LOOK TO SEE WHERE THINGS ARE AND WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE SAFE ???

 

VENUS - the planet which rules social urge, sense of values, love and affection, and financial matters began its RETROGRADE journey for 2026 yesterday, 10/3, at 3:16 AM EDT ... during a transiting Venus retrograde, old lovers, potential past romantic interests or even friends may resurface - some hoping to reconnect while others are only in and out for "pass and review" so to speak ... frequently one will come to realize why the relationship did not work out to begin with or why it is time to LET GO AND MOVE ON - some will not understand this and run the danger of repeating over and over what may have been a very challenging time in their lives ... relationship issues, both personal and professional/ public and private, come to the forefront thus causing all types of contracts and partnerships to be reconsidered especially if they have become difficult or challenging ... this is also a time when our personal values are usually reconsidered - both material and spiritual - to see if they still make sense or need adjusting somewhere !!!

One of the main purposes of a transiting Venus retrograde is to reconsider relationship and acquisition needs as these change over time for all of us ... it becomes very important during this time to get in touch with ones present values, wants and needs, and to become clear about exactly what you want to attract and why ... is what you personally value inwardly being projected outwardly positively or is change needed on some level ??? ... and needless to say issues surrounding money and finances can become big problems during a Venus retrograde !!! 

PLEASE TAKE NOTE - retrograde periods are not always harbingers of doom and gloom and full of negativity and disaster so please try to ignore all those posts that always have the phrase "how to survive" as it should perhaps be positively stated "how to successfully navigate" these often challenging and demanding periods !!! ... these periods have the greatest potential for each one of us to be able to slow down and review what is making our lives more challenging and take action to correct our course, so to speak, so there isn't so much difficulty in navigating through this thing we call "life" on a day to day basis !!!

Venus spends the least amount of time in retrograde motion out of all of the planets ... within its 584-day cycle, Venus stations retrograde roughly every 18 months for a period of about 6 weeks ... it was last retrograde from March 1st through April 12th, 2025 going from 10 degrees 50 minutes Aries back to 24 degrees 37 minutes Pisces - what was going on in your life during that period that may have had to do with anything mentioned in this blog specific to a Venus retrograde that has now resurfaced for review and rethinking or simply falls apart or must be released ??? ... there is a good chance that any partnerships/relationships, especially of the romantic variety, begun during that last retrograde period has now come to a point where it is time to let go and move on !!! ... in fact, ever since Venus entered its shadow point back on August 31st, issues could have begun to arise foreshadowing what was to come during the retrograde period ... especially issues that may have plagued the relationship on and off since Venus stationed back in direct motion on April 12th, 2025 or perhaps even issues that have surfaced in partnerships/relationships that have been ignored even if the relationship was not begun during the Venus retrograde period !!!

Over the next 41 day period, this dual sign Venus retrograde will go from 8 DEGREES 29 MINUTES SCORPIO BACK TO 22 DEGREES 51 MINUTES LIBRA ... and yes, there could be issues already rising up from any relationship/partnership either personal or professional that was begun from August 31st up until October 3rd when the retrograde began ... interesting to note, the last time Venus was retrograde in both signs together of Scorpio/Libra was October 5th through November 16th, 2018 going from 10 degrees 50 minutes Scorpio back to 25 degrees 14 minutes Libra ... anything come to mind from that period in your life regarding that retrograde period - especially in the areas of life ruled by the houses where that retrograde occurred ... are we closing out a chapter in our life that must be relased to promote further personal and spiritual growth ???

Taurus and Libra born individuals, this is your planetary ruler so you are beginning your period of personal "down time", so to speak, to review and rethink what has transpired in your life since April 12th, 2025 ... but in addition to you, we all will be subjected to a period of reflection in our personal actions in regards to our social urges, sense of values, love and affection, and monetary affairs as well as matters of intimacy !!!

Some things to remember during a Venus retrograde - it is NOT a good time to purchase "luxury " items if you can, wait because when Venus stations back into direct motion, you might well find yourself thinking "WHY did I spend THAT MUCH on something I really didn't want or need" or you may simply feel you did not get the anticipated value for what you spent your hard earned money to purchase ... you might even find a uch better deal waiting to be taken advantage of - remember slow and steady wins the race !!! ... often in a Venus retrograde money can become low and scarce and we can end up having to spend money we hadn't counted on spending, but in some cases one may end up getting money "coming back" to them from one source or another !!! ... it also is not a good time to begin a new job if you can wait because you may never get the money you expected out of the job, you may feel like you are not being paid enough for the value of your service, or the job simply might not pan out down the road for some reason ... that being said, unfortunately as a Venus retrograde can indicate the "tightening of the purse strings" by individuals as well as companies, salaries could be cut back or the job may be terminated for one reason or another ... and even businesses may be suddenly shutdown without warning leaving many high and dry !!!

WEDDINGS ARE MOST CERTAINLY A HUGE NO-NO as this is the planet which rules romance, love and affection - do you really want that energy going backwards on the day you say "I DO"??? ... if you were to take the day of the actual wedding, and count forward to the end of the retrograde period, then that total number of days would be the actual number of YEARS it would be before the energy turned back into direct motion by progression in the event chart ... most likely there would constantly be issues regarding either love, emotions and/or money and that can make things very difficult !!! ... if you are getting married, you should have someone mark the time you are officially pronounced married and then have an event chart run, by a reputable astrologer, for that time and the place to see in which house Venus retrograde falls, and you might get a very good idea where in life issues concerning love, money and personal values may surface during the marriage ... I'm not saying don't get married because I know weddings take time and preparation, just realize you may be adding an unnecessary challenge to the already challenging task it takes to navigate through the waters of a personal relationship ... to this end, I would also state the hopefully obvious - a Venus retrograde is definitely NOT the time to begin a new romantic relationship - you can date and get to know each other, but DO NOT jump into the deep end so to speak until after November 13th if it lasts that long !!! ... but keep in mind if you were born with Venus retrograde in your natal chart, these choppy emotional waters might not be as difficult to navigate as it will be for others !!!

Speaking of relationships, you may find arguments and disagreements rearing their ugly heads and if you sever the ties in a Venus retrograde, when it turns direct you will probably be asking yourself why you cut that person out of your life ... on the other hand, relationships and partnerships that have been constantly challenging and have been overly stressful will most likely dissolve during a Venus retrograde period and it is usually best to let them go and move forward ... but this can also be a good time in certain cases where there is a chance to allow some healing to occur in a partnership or relationship that somehow managed to fall off track ... keep in mind that in a Venus retrograde people become a little less sociable and frequently forget their manners so it might be a good idea to "drop back and punt" and hold off passing judgment while the energy is moving backwards !!!

Obviously the overall ruler of this retrograde period is indeed Venus ... and as such the following could be ongoing issues in addition to the other signs it will actually be retrograde in :

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

Issues could arise with financial affairs, possessions (except real estate), investments, earning power, any gain or loss through our 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, material debt - these issues being addressed in the 2nd house of the natural zodiac ruled by Venus !!!

Issues could arise with face-to-face relationships both business and marital partnerships, marriage, divorce, contracts, lawsuits, bargains, agreements, 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, 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 !!!

As previously stated, this Venus retrograde begins in the sign of Scorpio ... remember that Venus in Scorpio is considered to be in detriment so it is not functioning efficiently to begin with and adding retrograde motion can makes things even more challenging ... it's all about finding out how we love through who and/or what we DESIRE and there can now be conflicting issues arising about what that exactly is for us !!! ... but it is also a time to go deep within and take an honest look at our deepest emotions and feelings and determine whether or not they are being honestly and positively expressed or if we are expressing the in a negative and injurious manner to ourselves and other !!!

Issues could arise with conception, from the subconscious, printing, the masses, waste, subversion, atomic power, crime, phobias, obsessions, slow growth, transmutation, birth and death, isolation, coercion, disappearance, kidnapping, bacteria, viruses, generation, regeneration, degeneration, what has been developed secretly and undercover, plumbing, dictatorships and unpopular causes - all issues governed by Pluto which rules Scorpio !!!

Issues could also arise from the support you receive from others including moral, spiritual, physical and financial, legacies, trusts, wills, taxes, insurance matters, sex, spiritual and physical regeneration, psychological rebirth, degeneration and death, occult matters, sleep, deep research, investigation and hidden assets, assets of partners, alimony, surgery and, along with the 6th house, types of illnesses - all issues addressed in the 8th house which Scorpio naturally rules !!!

One final item about possible issues ... I would be remiss if I didn't mention Mars in the mix here as it is considered the ancient ruler of Scorpio as Pluto wasn't discovered until 1930 !!!

There could also be potential issues which arise concerning your animal nature, desire, sexual energies, assertiveness, force, power, construction, work, strife, competitions, surgery and operations, weapons, war, accidents, inflammation, wounds, cuts, burns scalds, violence, tools, iron, steel, external reproductive organs, the head and face - all under the rulership of Mars !!!

As Mars is the natural ruler of the 1st house, there could potentially be issues in regards to your personality, your natural disposition and tendencies, your individuality and the way you express yourself, the way people see you and the way you want others to see you, the way you "package" and "market" yourself, your physical body, your health, your early childhood years, your approach to life, your worldly outlook, your appearance and bearing, the beginnings of all enterprises - all issues addressed by the 1st house of the zodiac !!!

On October 25th, Venus returns to the sign of Libra at 5:10 AM EDT for the remainder of this retrograde and the emphasis will shift from the dark, intense side of Venus to the more charming, sociable side which can really be challenged by it's backward motion  ... Venus in Libra is considered to be in dignity being in a sign that it naturally rules and operating more efficiently but that has the potential to be greatly challenged by its retrograde motion ... Venus in Libra is all about how we live through relating with others ... and now many of us will probably find we need to fine tune how we do that in regards to who has come and gone in our lives and whether or not they were meant to only be "passing through" or were to be significant for our growth and we may have caused the relationship to dissolve through our own fault !!! ... you might want to review the aforementioned potential issues in regards to Venus ruling Libra as well as it ruling both the 2nd and 7th house of the natural zodiac ... this is a lot of issues that could potentially go upside down over the next 41 days !!!

As for elective surgery, especially of the cosmetic enhancement variety, best to wait until after November 13th as you may feel you did not the desired results you "paid" for and might even have to go back and redo it once Venus, as well as Mercury, stations direct ... for all other surgery that is not elective, you should not try to push that back as it could have dire results !!!

For those of you born between October 4th and November 12th, you will definitely get the energy of Venus retrograde in your solar return chart, the birthday chart, for the year ahead on one or the other signs depending on your birthday ... those born on October 3rd and November 13th may or may not get this backwards energy depending on the time and day your solar return occurs this year !!!

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."

Even though we will all be impacted on some level of our lives by the Venus retrograde, the following signs may feel its impact even more personally - Taurus and Libra born as this is your ruling planet, and Scorpio born in addition, Aries born with Mars being the ancient ruler of Scorpio - as well which obviously are the other signs in which the retrograde - Mars by previous association with Scorpio -  occurs this time !!!

Least you forget, Mercury will take its third and final retrograde journey completely in Scorpio from October 24th through November 13 ... in other words it will be completely embedded in the final 19 days of this Venus retrograde ... you obviously noticed if you read my most recent blogs, I have mentioned this over and over hoping to bring your attention to this important matter ...and as you can obviously see that the Scorpio energy which begins this Venus retrograde will circle back around in a different manner when the Mercury retrograde begins but it will be only in he sign of Scorpio ... so just how frustrating and daunting will these next two personal planet retrogrades become being placed on top of each other so to speak - I guess only the Universe really knows ... just remember it is wise to work through challenging energy rather than going around it as it most likely will come back later and most likely in a more difficult way !!!

Venus remains retrograde until November 13th ... it will not be retrograde again until May 10th through June 22nd, 2028 completely in the sign of Gemini - information for those of you who like to prepare and just might be planning a "special occasion" during 2028 !!!

Again, one final caveat, during this Venus retrograde, Mercury will take its third retrograde journey for 2026 from October 24th through November 13th going from 20 degrees 58 minutes Scorpio back to 5 degrees 2 minutes Scorpio ... as it is occurring completely on top of the final days of the Venus retrograde ... in fact Mercury enters its next shadow point on October 4th at 9:10 AM EDT ... and Mars will enter its next shadow point on November 5th when it reaches 20 degrees 55 minutes Leo ... it would be fair to say that the ending of 2026 and beginning of 2027 will be jammed packed with personal planet - Mercury, Venus and Mars - energies moving forwards and then backwards so try to remain calm and composed ... meditation will surely help if you should partake !!!  

In case you're trying to figure out - and I know some of you bright lights are doing just that, should you have a birthday during these periods, if your birthday is between October 25th and November 12th, you will get both Mercury and Venus as a "present" in your solar return for the year ahead ... those born January 11th and March 31st, 2027 will most likely get both the Mars and Mercury retrograde energies "present" depending on the time of your solar return this year ... so much to consider and ponder - don't you just "LOVE" it ??? ... just believe you CAN work through this ... that's why it is so important to find out in which house or houses these retrograde degrees and signs fall so you get an idea where to be prepared ... I've had both occur several times already and by careful navigating and trusting the Universe has a plan to help me get through, I had very little difficulty compared to so many who blindly ignored the warnings and proceeded through this energy like a bull in the proverbial china shop !!!

A cautionary word of advice for those who are interested - while it's true this next 41 day period will be challenging and most likely present lessons regarding love, money, and values the Universe deems necessary for us to face and learn from, during the Venus retrograde period be aware it could prove to be potentially more challenging with two personal planets on top of each other in the same signs even though not entirely in the same degrees ... All aboard the "roller coaster of love" !!!

With all the above mentioned being said, try your best to keep your temper in check and mind your manners as they may be trying to take a little vacation from you and everyone else as well ... hopefully one will be strong and open enough to receive the illumination and enlightenment this retrograde period will bring and be willing to take an honest and thorough inward look to see if change must be made to further personal and spiritual growth !!!

In the end perhaps if one is not careful enough or simply needs and must learn a valuable life lesson, one of the main results of a Venus retrograde may end up being best summed up by the famous words of the Bard, that would be Shakespeare for those of you in the dark, himself - "The course of true love never did run smooth" !!!

HIGHLY SHARPENED INSIGHT - REALIZING THAT REAL MENTAL POWER AND SUPERIORITY IS LEARNING WHEN TO LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE !!!

MERCURY began its extended transit through the dark, brooding sign of Scorpio today, September 30th, at 7:44 AM EDT ... Mercury was last in and out of Scorpio from 10/6/25 through 12/11/2025 due to a retrograde period !!!

Mercury in Scorpio now being in a fixed sign is intense, probing and filled with boundless determination ... this is the placement of the natural born detective always wanting to get to the bottom of things and ferret out information and hidden motives ... it loves tuning into underlying messages ... communication is usually done very passionately and intensely ... a lot of messages are delivered non verbally ... intimate bonds are frequently formed through ones communications ... superficiality is not tolerated ... what is spoken emanates from the depth of ones psyche !!! 

One often thinks about secrecy and silence and sometimes withholds information on purpose ... though the mind is usually thorough and organized, it can be easily swayed by powerful emotions and obsessions ... one seeks the underlying root causes here and is usually unyielding in their quest for information ... detective work might appeal to one here along with anything that looks beneath the surface such as psychotherapy, archaeology and, of course, the occult !!!

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

Mercury transiting through Scorpio teaches us all about how our thinking is influenced by what we desire ... it is the super sleuth of the zodiac ... what you desire and what you fear are tightly entangled in your mind ... this mind sees through people and situations ... this mentality rarely misses anything ... a warning here would be not to fall into the trap of being suspicious of malice of intent when it does not exist ... sometimes this energy can create intrigue just to keep the mind on its toes !!!

This mind is basically sharp and efficient knowing that there is always something that needs looking into thus constantly exercising the mental muscle ... the sign of real mental power and superiority here is learning when to leave well enough alone which is usually understood here ... insight is sharpened with the ability to watch and wait silently which this energy bestows ... others can often benefit greatly from the penetrating insight found here ... one is happiest here when not overcome by personal fears and phobias as they end up clouding ones judgment ... this energy likes brain-teasers, mental control and intrigues ... it dislikes mental inactivity, weak-mindedness, lack of subtlety and mincing words ... the energy of Mercury of Scorpio can be expressed in the following ways:

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

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

One should use the energy of this mental and communicative ability to leave no stone unturned through boundless determination in order to find what they are really after which ultimately is - ONES SELF !!!

Mercury now joins Venus already in transit through Scorpio ... Mercury will not complete its full transit through Scorpio until December 6th ... Mercury will get no further than 20 degrees 58 minutes Scorpio when it begins its third and final retrograde journey for 2026 completely in the sign of Scorpio - the third Mercury retrograde this year completely in a water sign - going from 20 degrees 58 minutes back to 5 degrees 2 minutes Scorpio ... and keep in mind it will be completely embedded in the final days of the upcoming Venus retrograde which occurs from October 3rd through November 13th ... a very good reason to know where in your natal chart all of these retrograde degrees fall so you can be prepared ... Mercury will enter its next shadow point on October 4th when it reaches 5 degrees 2 minutes Scorpio !!!

For now, it is an excellent time for a good mystery, to dig down and uncover the true facts, and for each one of us to take a crack at being a super sleuth !!!

In the end, we may find that what we uncover proves to be something much more than simply being "elementary my dear Watson" as we ultimately may discover - WHAT LIES BENEATH !!!

NATURALLY DRAMATIC WITH ACTIONS ALONE OFTEN MAKING A STATEMENT WITHOUT A WORD BEING UTTERED !!!

 

MARS - the planet representing the urge to get what you want, physical drive, sexual drive, initiative, courage and raw energy - began its initial extended dramatic transit through the romantic, playful, creative and pleasure seeking sign of Leo on Sunday, September 27, at 10:49 PM EDT ... Mars was last in and out of Leo from November 3rd, 2024 until June 17th, 2025 due to its previous retrograde journey fro December 6th, 2024 through February 24th, 2025 - this will be another extended transit again this time around !!! 

Leo, being a Fire sign and ruled by the Sun, is very happy to have the fiery planet Mars, planet of action, initiative and drive transiting through its sign ... kind of a two for the price of one transit with a lot of creative potential if it doesn't get out of control with all the dramatic "flames" being stirred up !!! .... Mars in Leo is naturally dramatic and its actions alone often make a statement without a word being uttered ... having attention and admiration, and being in the limelight are doubly essential here .... energy can be asserted warmly, majestically, radiantly, or sometimes unfortunately extremely arrogantly ... the normal drive is towards having fun, enthusiasm, generosity, creativity, and most definitely having a zest for life !!!

Mars in Leo energy can be quite exciting yielding a strong sense of pride and a drive for recognition ... there is creativity abounding with a pronounced flair, and there is a heightened sense of vitality and just being alive ... ones identity here is tied in to being someone special and increasing self-esteem ... sometimes the urge to express oneself so boldly can lead to being pompous and very pushy, but it can also make one quite the magnetic personality !!!

Sexual drive and physical energy is usually off the charts under this energy and they thrive in an atmosphere of attention ... receiving compliments especially makes one come alive ... many of us may find ourselves becoming more in touch with our inner child - go with it and enjoying being a kid again !!! ... since Leo rules creative tendencies, those in the entertainment and artistic realms usually become quite productive and have the potential to reach a new heightened expression of their work ... regardless of where we use this energy, you can bet while Mars is transiting through Leo there is absolutely going to be a driving passion about something or someone - or both !!!

Mars in Leo teaches us all about growing personally and spiritually through creating ... here we have a hot and fiery streak that definitely needs to find some form of creative, dramatic, or romantic outlet ... there is determination and confidence and the first impression one gives is most valuable to oneself ... there could develop an overly neurotic need for admiration, but there is also a demand for honor, dignity and ability worthy of respect ... personal power is greatly enhanced with this energy but one must be careful not to become overbearing and end up being feared rather than loved ... the desire nature is in overdrive here ... find what you truly have a passion for and go for it ... when ones sense of glory and achievement goes beyond ones petty, self-centered ego drives, the way in which one goes about becoming genuinely creative becomes a gift instead of a curse ... feeling insignificant, humiliation, losing control and small-mindedness are strongly disliked while taking pride in ones partner, excitement, respect, honesty and being center stage are what one strives for with this energy ... the energy of Mars in Leo can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: high-spirited, passionate, ardent lover, energetic, dignified, proud, heroic, enthusiastic, vital, speculative, exciting, self-assured, determined, strong-willed, leader, consistent desire, ambitious magnetic, fearless

NEGATIVE: melodramatic, possessive, jealous lover, coercive, pompous, self-righteous, vain, tyrant, offensive, brutal, wild gambler, overly-excited, feels infallible, quarrelsome, domineering, ego driven, overbearing, ruthless, conceited, arrogant

Leo born, enjoy the extra burst of personal energy you are being given wile Mars moves through your birth sign, both backwards and forwards this time  - as if you really need more fire energy driving you !!! ... for all of us, this could be an extremely creative and productive period but not without its challenges ... and if you are given to gambling and speculation, I would certainly advise great caution - after all, Leo naturally rules the 5th house which includes gambling and speculation so be careful about being influenced by an excessive drive to take too many "risks" !!!

Aries born will also certainly have the potential to feel the effects of this energy as Mars is your ruling planet ... for everyone, if you've had a natal chart done and know in which house or houses the 30 degrees of Leo fall, then you'll get a good idea as to what area/areas of your life this extended heightened energetic drive will most likely "consume" you backwards and forwards !!!

Mars is now transiting with Jupiter through the sign of Leo ... Mars will not complete its full transit through Leo until ..... WAIT FOR IT ... May 14th, 2027 ... Mars will actually complete this initial transit through Leo on November 25th ... BUT ... it will get no further than 10 degrees 25 minutes Virgo when it begins its 81 day upcoming retrograde period on January 10th, 2027 ... it will return to the sign of Leo on February 21st, 2027, and once it stations direct, on April 1st, 2027, Mars will move forward to complete its full transit through Leo which will occur on May 14th, 2027 ... again, this will be a dual sign Mars retrograde this time going from 10 degrees 25 minutes Virgo back to 20 degrees 55 minutes Leo ... and just like Venus, Mars will have a Mercury retrograde completely embedded in it just to make things more interesting or perhaps disruptive depending on how it has the potential to affect you ... this will occur because Mercury takes its first retrograde journey for 2027 from February 9th through March 3rd, 2027 ... could be a bumpy start to 2027 ... Mars enters its next shadow point on November 4th when it reaches 20 degrees 55 minutes Leo !!!

"ALL IS FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR" !!!

BRINGING PARTNERSHIPS/RELATIONSHIPS BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INTO BALANCE AND HARMONY - MAKING SURE THEIR FOUNDATIONS ARE SOLID !!!

 

The SUN began its transit through the charming, social but sometimes indecisive sign of Libra on Tuesday, September 22nd, at 8:05 PM EDT   ... also known as the Autumnal Equinox - equal day and equal night - Summer 2026 is officially OVER - even though "global warming" may make it seem at times like it never really left !!! - at least in the Northern hemisphere (Spring or Vernal Equinox in the Southern hemisphere) ... onward to colder weather ... maybe - YEAH !!! ... OK, do I hear a few BOOS out there ??? 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HAPPY SOLAR RETURN TO ALL LIBRA BORN - THIS IS YOUR TIME OF THE YEAR TO SHINE !!! 

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

The Sun now joins Mercury currently in transit through Libra ... The Sun remains in Libra until October 223rd ... now would be an excellent time to make use of bringing ones partnerships/relationships both public and private into balance and harmony by making sure their foundations are solid !!!

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

THE KEY TO MANIFESTING POSITIVE PERSONAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH - SPEAK KINDLY AND THINK GOOD THOUGHTS !!!

MERCURY  began its transit through the, social, charming, persuasive sign of Libra on Thursday, September 10th at 12:21 PM EDT ... Mercury was last in Libra from September 18th through October 6th, 2025 !!! ... harsh words and intimidating comments are seldom or very hesitatingly spoken while Mercury moves through this sign - after all, Libra is ruled by Venus which tends to soften and sweeten things while adding charm ... in many ways this can be considered as the cosmic energy expressing the "language" of love !!!

Mercury in Libra produces a mindset that is usually concerned with human relations and psychology and produces a mindset towards balance where both sides of the issue are considered ... it gives an intense curiosity about the thinking and behavior patterns of others - it is very focused on one particular aspect of the mental and emotional plane and that is one-to-one relationships ... good communications and happiness in relationships are essential here ... there is a strong sense of justice which tends to make one very honest in their communications ... communications are generally made in a diplomatic, elegant and balanced manner ... feedback from others is a must in order to clarify your opinions ... mentally striving to support your heartfelt principles is often what inspires others with this energy !!!

Mercury in Libra likes to consider all sides of an issue before making a final decision - the trap here is that Mercury, finding it difficult to explore any single idea without devoting equal time and energy to the opposite viewpoint and thus becoming distracted by too many facts, may yield indecisiveness which results in the inability to act on an issue thus getting lost ... Mercury in Libra also gives an interest to the law and the arts ... it bestows one with charm and diplomacy and gives the ability to communicate adeptly, elegantly, impartially and tactfully ... this energy produces natural born mediators and one who has truly mastered the art of whispering sweet nothings into your ear !!!

Mercury in Libra teaches us to think and communicate through relating to others, and underlying much of this thinking is a desire for agreement ... it likes an honest reputation, refined minds, good manners, moral justice and likes to learn through interaction with others ... it does not like being underestimated, having no one to talk with, and mob mentality ... as always there are two different kinds of uses with any energy ... as for Mercury in Libra they are:

POSITIVE: agreeable, flexible, diplomatic, prudent, persuasive, charming, well-spoken, communicative, hardworking, disciplined, scholarly, orderly, eclectic, fair judge, good arbitrator, reasonable, team-spirited, principled, honorable, open-minded ...

NEGATIVE: weak-minded, non-committal, turncoat, smooth-talking, insincere, affected, rat-racer, blindly obedient, unoriginal, indecisive, cowardly, phony, boring, illogical, easily swayed, overly sensitive, flighty, superficial ...

Mercury is currently the only planet transiting through the sign of Libra ... Mercury remains in Libra until September 30th !!!

This is the last full sign transit ere Mercury takes its third and final retrograde for 2026 again completely in a water sign ... this will occur from October 24th through November 13th going from 20 degrees 58 minutes back to 5 degrees 2 minutes Scorpio ... do you know where these degrees lie in your natal chart ??? ... and once again, this 20 day Mercury retrograde will be completely embedded in the final 20 days of the upcoming Venus retrograde which begins October 3rd ... Mercury enters its next shadow point on October 4th !!!

Meanwhile with this current mercurial energy, for all of us this becomes a period of time when we have the ability to learn to speak more graciously and gently through our communications ... and to that end the Universe encourages each one of us to realize -

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

ENERGY THAT SEES, STALKS, AND CONQUERS AND CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOREVER - BUT WILL IT REALLY LAST FOREVER ???

 

VENUS begins its initial lusty, sensual transit through the penetrating and sexually charged sign of Scorpio today, September 10th, at 4:07 AM EDT ... Venus was last in Scorpio from November 6th through November 30th, 2025 ... this intense Venusian energy comes complete with a universal "whip" so to speak, but will it be for pleasure or pain ... or both for those of you who are adventurous ???

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

THIS VENUS MEANS BUSINESS !!! ... it is highly emotionally driven and enjoys intensity and getting to the bottom of things - in more ways than one !!! ... it can be demanding, forceful, and absolutely unflinching in the way it relates to people ... affection is usually expressed passionately and accompanied with consuming and obsessive feelings ... great pleasure is found in figuring out hidden motives and meanings ... here one needs to penetrate deeply into a relationship in order to feel closeness and develop an emotional bond ... love and social needs can be hindered as a result of secrecy or a reluctance to trust others - an unwillingness to let ones guard down ... sharing the sexual, sensual, and financial areas of life may be difficult due to the need to become overindulgent or falling into the trap of denial ... becoming involved in a give-and-take scenario with others can yield transformational and transmutable energy ... a desire for loyalty and the need to be swept away, seduced, fascinated and totally absorbed in love may manifest in your life with this energy !!!

There is a tendency towards jealousy and being secretive ... sensing other peoples feelings may sometimes be difficult ... one can sometimes be very idealistic, religious or even mystical ... if advances are rejected under this energy, one can be desolated and the love becomes hate ... this Venus can forgive but it NEVER forgets, and once scorned you will NEVER get back in as close as you used to be !!!! ... an attribute with this energy is the ability to be financially skilled with an eye for rewarding investment opportunities !!!

Venus in Scorpio teaches us how we find love through what and/or whom we desire ... it's all or nothing ... harmony created through conflict ... with Venus in Scorpio comes a necessity to control ones strong emotional awareness of what turns people on or off ... ultimately the Power of Love is what Venus in Scorpio is about - and the Power of Love usually has its way with you rather than you having your way with it !!!

Due to deep emotions and very strong and passionate sexual desires, the appetite for love here is like a bottomless pit ... when you discover that you cannot get enough, it might be best to turn the tables and start giving all you can give - it will TRANSFORM you !!! ...  there is the possibility that there may exist a feeling that something is desperate or fated about ones love life ... there is also a deep desire to find a true genuine love that purges you and transforms your life towards its destiny ... love may be withheld in order to control a partner with this energy due to the inability to handle the depths of  your own emotions and vulnerability that accompanies them !!!

Venus in Scorpio likes heartfelt emotions, gutsy  experiences, sexual revelation, a depth of aliveness ... it dislikes superficial beings, lack of soul, a boring lifestyle and exposure to ridicule ... inevitably the expression of Venus in Scorpio leads to an unavoidable intimacy with ones self ... the energy of Venus in Scorpio came be expressed in the following ways :

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

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

Venus will be in transit through Scorpio all by itself which is probably plenty for now ... Venus will not complete its full transit through Scorpio until ... WAIT FOR IT ... January 7th, 2027 and you certainly know why by now !!!

Venus will get no further than 8 degrees 29 minutes Scorpio when it begins its next retrograde period ... this will occur from October 3rd through November 13th ... a dual sign retrograde going from 8 degrees 29 minutes Scorpio back to 22 degrees 51 minutes Libra ... so you know by these two signs being involved there will be great potential for issues with intimate personal relationships as well as public and private ones along with plenty of energy to disrupt financial issues if you aren't paying attention ... and to add more confusion and potential disorientation, Mercury will take its third and final retrograde in a water sign, this time completely in Scorpio, for 2026 which will be embedded in the final 20 days of the Venus retrograde ... Venus is already in its shadow point having entered it back on August 31st ... alas, "the course of true love never did run smooth" !!!

Scorpio born, the universal love "light" now shines on you, for a large portion of this transit with the energy running forward, backward and then forward again even though some of you may feel very passionately it does year round ... go after, which you usually do anyway, and ask for what you want as you just might get it ... just realize what it is you so passionately wanted turns out to be exactly not what you wanted in many cases !!!

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

AN INTELLECT FOR WRITING, TECHNICAL CRAFTS, CONVERTING IDEAS INTO TANGIBLE FORM ... A TALENT FOR ORGANIZATION !!!

MERCURY - began its transit through the highly focused sign of Virgo yesterday, August 25th, at 7:04 AM 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 September 2nd through September 18, 2025 !!!

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 is currently transiting through the sign of Virgo with the Sun !!! ... Mercury remains in Virgo until September 10th !!!

Only one more full sign transit, that being Libra, before Mercury takes its third and final retrograde journey for 2026 ... this will occur from October 24th through November 13th ... the third and final retrograde period completely in a water sign this time being Scorpio ... it will go from 20 degrees 58 minutes back to 5 degrees 2 minutes of Scorpio ... AND ... it will be completely embedded in the final days of the upcoming Venus retrograde occurring from October 3rd through November 13th ... Mercury will enter its next shadow point on October 4th when it reaches 5 degrees 2 minutes Scorpio !!!

For now, 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 !!!