WE WORK HARD FOR THE MONEY - SO HARD FOR IT HONEY !!!

Mars began its transit through the responsible, hardworking sign of Capricorn yesterday, 11/16, at 9:36 PM EST ... this Mars energy is absolutely all about getting the job done and doing so very thoroughly!!! ... there is great energy channeled into professional ambition here ... it is extremely materialistic ... desire for recognition and high status is very intense ... actions are usually well organized and very carefully calculated to achieve concrete results in terms of money and professional advancement ... as a result, many business executives are born with Mars in Capricorn or have Mars in the 10th house - the house of career and public image ...

In astrological terms, Mars is said to be "exalted" in the sign of Capricorn ... every planet has one particular sign, apart from the one it rules, where it expresses itself most harmoniously ... complementary forces are increased and the virtues are magnified ... for Mars it is Capricorn because the organization and discipline of Saturn - the planet which rules Capricorn - makes for the most efficient, practical use of the Mars energy ... here people are more capable of decisive action ... not as much energy may be expended, but the energy that one expends is usually more effective ... there is also a high degree of self-control and discipline, and orders can be taken from those in power and implemented producing positive results ... therefore, it should come as no surprise that many who pursue military careers are born with Mars in Capricorn!!!

Mars in Capricorn bestows pride in doing a job correctly along with a corresponding disrespect for laziness and lack of ambition ... one has to be careful under this energy not to use people for the sake of status and material gain due to a loss of human values in the intensity of ones material ambition ... if Mars in Capricorn is heavily afflicted in ones natal chart with this placement, or the current transiting chart under this energy, there can be a danger of broken bones!!!

Mars in Capricorn signifies force and energy kept under control ... that is, to be used when it is necessary ... ones strength here lies in the ability to endure ... obstacles in ones path are usually run over roughshod ... there is vigor and dynamic force along with quiet self-reliance ... sexual nature becomes earthy and passionate with the element of self-control governing relationships ... sometimes one is hot-blooded, sexy and romantic, and at other times chilly, withdrawn and disinterested ... sexually, passion is expressed only to someone whom you have allowed yourself to become intimately involved with ... ultimately the lesson here is learning not to just indulge in a body for its own sake without appreciating that it houses a Soul ...

The essence of Mars in Capricorn is "getting through building" ... here we have the master builder, the chief executive ... one goes about getting what one wants with such a deliberate, pragmatic and sure-footed fashion, that whatever you get usually remains yours!!! ... achievements are based on a very firm foundation, and as a rule, short cuts are not taken as one realizes they often become the longer way around ... the key here is to learn to appreciate that one is getting somewhere by trusting that the "building work" is going on even though at times it may be taking place unconsciously or beneath the surface where most foundations are usually based ...

Mars in Capricorn can often be an indicator of the self-made person due to the ultimate realization, sooner or later, that it may become necessary to have to go it alone ... the ability to delegate and regulate is an essential quality under this energy ... and this apples to both the personal and professional areas of ones life ... this ability results mainly from having a purpose and a plan along with a sense of timing ... one of the greatest gifts of Mars in Capricorn is in learning to pace yourself and not be pressured by others who do not understand the certainty of ultimate success ... so the energy breaks down in this manner:

POSITIVE: persistent, single-minded, nobody's fool, industrious, works according to plan, earthy and practical, authoritative, respects order, disciplined, commands respect, sexually disciplined, capabale of celibacy, strong sex drive, self-reliant, energetic worker, decisive, cuts through red tape, inscrutable

NEGATIVE: pig-headed, disagreeable, dog-eat-dog attitude, workaholic, cold and calculating, insists on material results, uses others, lust for control, disregards others' rights, slave-driving, sexually controlling/controlled, suppresses libido, lacking affection, lonely, restless at work, agonizing, bucks the system, self-mystifying

Mars remains in the sign of Capricorn until December 25th ... but as the Universe giveth, so, with its own sense of cosmic humor, does it taketh away ... the cosmic joke here is that even though we are going to be infused with this energy that says move forward, get it done, achieve the ultimate, Mercury is still retrograde until November 26th - so be careful not to make major new starts with this driven energy until AFTER November 26th when the Mercury Retrograde ends ... however pouring your energy into preparations or research would be a good way to use this energy to start with ... is everyone laughing now or simply GROANING!!! ...

My fellow Capricorn born individuals, as you are probably aware when Mars transits ones birth sign, one is given an extra boost of energy, but for some reason - and with Saturn being our ruling planet, we subconsciously know that there has to be a hiccup somewhere - we will be short changed by roughly 10 days until Mercury turns around - but hey aren't we used to restriction and limitation anyway somehow or somewhere ??? ... be careful once Mercury turns back into direct motion that with all this extra energy, you don't accidentally "incinerate" someone with the fiery energy empowering you !!!

As the Holiday season is shortly upon us until after New Year's day, we start to feel the need to be in a festive and celebratory mode of operation ... the Universe in its infinite wisdom has seen to it that we begin to start focusing our attention on what must be done and preparing ourselves for what will ultimately be revealed to us ... and what a way to begin the arduous task of HOLIDAY SHOPPING AND COOKING than with this determined and hardworking energy of Mars in Capricorn - on your mark ... get set ... GO !!!

DREAMER'S AWAKE !!!

Neptune - the planet of the spiritual, the universal, the ethereal, the mysterious and mystical, enlightenment and/or delusion, sensitivity, imagination, escape, release, surrender, sacrifice, compassion, suffering, meditation, healing, artistic inspiration, music, drugs and alcohol, glamour, fantasy, religious drives, romantic love, film , altered states, dissolvement, uplifting experiences, confusion, consolation and dreams - completed its retrograde journey for the year today, November 11th, at 2:53 AM EST... having been retrograde since June 4th of this year, Neptune has been asking all of us to look inward and attempt to tune into the collective unconscious and try to understand how our fears, illusions, confusion, or personal spiritual journey is connected into the energy of what is happening with humanity ... hopefully we have been able to determine whether or not we have been applying our own personal energies in a positive manner in order to develop faith and spirituality ... it is possible that many of us have discovered that we have been aimlessly following a path of escapism and disappointment ... it has been a time to develop a rational objectivity concerning the intangible aspects of life which would include truth, fear, hope and inspiration ... many artists, musicians, poets and those who lead highly spiritual lives may have been able to tap into their higher selves and find inspiration to further their abilities ... hopefully, we have all been paying extra special attention to our dreams as they are sure to have brought us important messages from our unconscious state ... unfortunately there are those who may have been driven into drugs and alcohol as a way to "escape" what is perceived as the pain and suffering of daily life ... people born with Neptune retrograde in their natal chart are usually those who at some point in their lives find the need to question and test all aspects of faith and beliefs ...

Neptune is currently transiting through the sign of Pisces ... it began its complete transit through Pisces back on February 3rd of this year after having briefly returned to Aquarius during its last retrograde period in 2011 for some last minute business ... below is a review of what the energy of Neptune in the sign of Pisces, which it naturally rules, is all about :

Neptune was last in the sign of Pisces from 1847 – 1862 … some of the events occurring during that time included Brigham Young settling in Utah with the Mormons, John Sutter starting the California “Gold Rush”, Ferdinand de Lessups building the Suez canal, Marx and Engels writing “The Communist Manifesto”, Darwin developing the theory of Evolution, and this period saw the beginnings of the study of oceanography …

Some of the areas Neptune rules include: maritime matters, liquids, movies, stage and television, glamour, dreams, illusion, delusion, spirituality, mystery, anesthetics, love of poetry, color, dancing, drugs, drug addiction, alcoholism, hypochondria, hypnosis and abnormality …

In Pisces, Neptune’s qualities of spirituality and creative genius will be enhanced, especially for those born under this energy, and therefore may produce many great and gifted mystics, artists and spiritual leaders … these people will be deep thinkers with a profound understanding about the meaning of life … their compassion may be enhanced by intense psychic powers … there are many astrologers who think this generation could possibly bring in a period of ultimate self-realization and hopefully be able to bring peace and tranquility into the world … Neptune here does NOT value materialism, so this generation will be interested in exploring the inner man and woman …

In Pisces, for all of us, Neptune produces the potential for great strides and enhanced creative expression for people in any field of the arts … new medical discoveries will occur … new cultural concepts will be developed … there will most likely be a change on the face of religion in general but not necessarily in a bad way … there will be more of a tendency to explore and develop our inner selves yielding the possibility of attaining the capability of harmony between the physical and spiritual world … this energy will make us potentially more psychic, generous, understanding, responsive to the environment, more mystical and compassionate ... but it could also lead us in the other direction making us more gullible, passive, self-destructive and likely becoming a victim to all kinds of addictions … it is definitely a good time to start paying attention to your dreams as the Universe will undoubtedly be bringing us vital information while we sleep – keep a dream journal close by !!!

So the ultimate question here becomes whether we will give in to numerous savior/victim associations becoming separated from reality and runaway into escapism lost in a world of illusion, or will we reach new heights of empathy, compassion and spiritual attainment … If we use this energy positively we indeed will be more compassionate, self-sacrificing, intuitive, artistic and creative … used negatively we will end up melancholy, an escapist, a procrastinator, vague, and likely to become a victim of many forms of addiction including drugs and alcohol …

Pisces born, this is your ruling planet so it is time to "wake up" and begin to move forward on goals, desires, and dreams once again ... what have you been rethinking and reviewing in your life since June 4th of this year that you now understand is productive and what have you discovered that may be a hindrance and detrimental to your personal and spiritual growth ??? ... the same could be said for the rest of us as well ...

Also very appropriate is Neptune turning back into direct motion as we enter the major Universal energy shift heading into the end of 2012 ... no doubt our spirituality will play a large role in where we see ourselves and others individually and in the Universal "bigger picture" !!!!

Neptune remains in direct motion until June 7th, 2013 ... Neptune will not complete its transit through Pisces until January of 2026 ... and no matter what dreams may come - and they will in numbers - know that with Neptune in Pisces, dreams will definitely have the potential to become reality, and hopefully we will all rise to new heights of spiritual compassion and not fall into the depths of despair, deception, delusion and addiction !!! ... and as it has been said that a "dream is a wish your heart makes" - may each one of us find our dreams becoming a reality in our lives !!! ... just remember that turning that "dream" into reality might well be done with care and perhaps a little caution until Mercury completes its final retrograde journey for 2012 on November 26th  - but still for now, it is time to immerse ourselves in the "waters" of compassion, creativity and spirituality !!!

RECONNECTING ONE WITH THE UNIVERSAL RHYTHM !!!

Mercury is set to begin its third and final RETROGRADE journey for 2012 today, November 6th, at 6:04 PM EST ... if you've been following my blogs, then you know pretty much what to expect during a Mercury Retrograde ... as always - EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!!! ... this will be a double sign Mercury retrograde going from 4 degrees of Sagittarius back down to 18 degrees of Scorpio ... some of you may have noticed the energy beginning to move backwards already as Mercury entered its shadow point back on October 18th - the point where it will come out of the retrograde on November 26th at 18 degrees of Scorpio ... suffice it to say that during a Mercury retrograde things somehow just don't seem to go right or as we planned and we often find ourselves re-doing things especially after Mercury stations back into direct motion ... Mercury retrograding in a fire sign - Sagittarius - means we may be trying to figure out how our individual personal inspiration can help create our future ...Mercury retrograding in a water sign - Scorpio - is a time to rethink the quality of life and gives us an opportunity to rethink old habit patterns and how we emotional respond to lifes challenges ...

Obviously communications are going to be challenged both to and from others - partnerships and relationships often hit the skids during these periods - some ended prematurely others needing to be brought to a conclusion ... it is NOT a good time to make major purchases - especially Cars, a big NO NO - that goes double for USED CARS, computers or anything that involves electronics ... also purchasing homes can end up producing unforeseen problems and even the contracts can have unexpected difficulties along the way or at closing especially if the closing takes place during the retrograde period .... it is also not a good idea to enter into contracts or start new jobs as they will most likely not pan out and end up being dead ends ... and weddings, well I know it takes a long time to plan a wedding and some of them will just have to go on as planned, but if you can avoid a wedding in a Mercury Retrograde - DO IT !!! .... obviously one cannot put their life on hold, but if there is anyway to hold off on these things until Mercury turns direct, it would prove beneficial in the long run ... 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 let's not overlook the obvious fact that as we begin this final Mercury retrograde period for 2012, it has the potential to have an extremely challenging effect here in the United States as today is the National Presidential Election ... there will probably be mishaps galore, counting errors, delays, machine malfunctions and, needless to say, great potential for a large amount of voter fraud !!! ... does anyone hear the possibility of the word RECOUNT ???????

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 ...

Mercury retrograding in Sagittarius, the sign ruled by Jupiter and also the natural ruling sign of the 9th house, could give rise to issues regarding the law, religion, science, ideals, higher learning, philosophy, psychological issues, mental studies, our dreams and visions, long distance travel, foreigners, foreign dealings, commerce, big business, imports and exports, spirituality and the church, the clergy, in-laws, grandchildren, intuition, ethics, and lessons we learn though living ... sometimes we just have a difficult time being able to perceive the bigger picture as well ... health-wise, there could be issues with the liver, hips and thighs which are ruled by Sagittarius, in addition to general health issues as Mercury naturally rules the 6th house of health ... Mercury didn't get very far into Sagittarius before it went retrograde so a larger portion of this retrograde will be in Scorpio ...

Mercury returns to the sign of Scorpio on November 13th/14th - depending on the time zone in which you live ... then the focus will shift to different areas in life - those being ruled by Pluto, the ruling planet of Scorpio, and 8th house matters - the matters that Scorpio naturally rules ... issues then could arise regarding things which are hidden - especially in the unconscious self, the masses, crime, phobias and obsessions, slow growth, birth and death, isolation, coercion, kidnapping, bacteria and viruses, generation/regeneration/degeneration, secrets and things kept undercover, plumbing, dictatorships and unpopular causes - all of these things ruled by Pluto ... also issues regarding support one receives from other people - including financial, moral, spiritual and physical, legacies, trusts, wills, taxes, insurance matters, sex, spiritual/physical regeneration, psychological rebirth, degeneration and death both literal and figurative, occult matters, sleep, deep research, investigations, hidden assets, assets of partners alimony, and surgeries - all of these matters represented by the 8th house ... also health-wise, their could be issues with the genitalia and reproductive organs ...

If you've had a natal chart done and know the area and house or houses where 4 degrees of Sagittarius back down to 18 degrees of Scorpio lie, you may find additional insight as to what area of your life may be more affected by this retrograde and also whether it will indeed involve one or two houses during the retrograde period ...

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

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

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

Repair – The need for repair will arise. If possible, put if off until Mercury turns direct (November 26th).

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

Recall - Your mind will wonder back. You will think of people from the past or you will encounter someone from the past. If old lovers show up, don't bet that it will stick. Believe me... it is just for a "review." (And if it does last, I want to be the first to know about it. E-mail me and let me know). And you know what, I wouldn't start a new romance during this period either - wait until after November 26th !!!

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

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

Reboot and Revise - The computer world is a definite place to watch the comedy. It is common for one to suddenly, without fore thought, decide to revise their system during the Rx. Oh! Mercy! That revised system may never function in the normal way. Oh, please! Do wait until the period is over. However, it is fine to do your shopping for the new components during the Rx. When you do go to purchase your parts after December 13th, you may find better deals and buys.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Back to me now ....Those of you born between November 6th and November 26th will most likely have Mercury retrograde in your birthday chart - Solar Return - for the whole year ahead ... below is a repeat explanation of what it means to have Mercury Retrograde for the whole year in your birthday chart:

The significance of having Mercury retrograde in your yearly birthday chart or, as we refer to it in Astrology, a 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 ... below is what astrologer Mary Fortier Shea says about having a solar return Mercury Retrograde -

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

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

For all of us, this becomes a time to review and rethink what is going on in our lives and especially what may have been started or done during the last Mercury Retrograde, that being July 14th through August 7th/8th, or even actions we undertook since the Mercury Retrograde period before that of March 12th through April 4th ... we must look and see what is now running into problems, falling apart, or what simply will not work out and needs to be let go of and ended so we can move forward when the retrograde period is over ... one more item of interest - those born roughly between October 26th and November 26th may be impacted in some special way as Retrograde Mercury will pass backwards over their natal Sun placement ...

Gemini and Virgo born, this is once again time for review and reflection in your lives since Mercury is your ruling planet !!!

Whatever the case, it is for sure that there will undoubtedly be lights going ON in our heads regarding these actions as well as other lights going OUT as this Mercury Retrograde energy wreaks its cosmic havoc for the next 20 days ... Mercury will remain retrograde until November 26th ... so slow down and try not to act too impulsively or the day may come in the near future when you live to regret what you did ... be aware tempers will flare and patience may become scarce, but that personal of a sense of humor should be called upon frequently as the Mercury Retrograde merrily wreaks havoc ... it will certainly be one of our best allies !!! ...

In some ways this could be a truly challenging final Mercury retrograde for 2012 due to other planetary energy occuring at the same time ... especially Neptune slowing down to station back into direct motion on November 11th creating confusion and lack of clarity, a Solar Eclipse in Scorpio on November 13th, and Mars making its ingress into the sign of Capricorn on November 16th ...

Needless to say this is quite the cosmic joke or irony as the Holiday season is just about to get underway and with one of the largest shopping days Friday, November 23rd, things could be very interesting ... not to mention all the traveling for the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend ... but we all know that in the end, we will get through it and for many of us the only thing in our minds at that point will most likely be the burning question " ... and WHY did I do that ???" !!! ... so for now, it's over the river and through the woods in Mercury Retrogrades journey we go !!!

A MENTAL QUEST FOR THE MEANING OF LIFE !!!

Mercury began its initial transit through the philosophical, visionary, idealistic, inspirational sign of Sagittarius today, October 29th, at 2:18 AM EDT... this Mercurial energy learns by gaining an overview of the Big Picture ... it wants to know everything !!! ... it can use way too many words and use great hand gestures sometimes knocking things over, and talk much too loudly at times ... but for all its challenges, this Mercury can be quite funny, bluntly honest, and entertain so well that you might find it appealing ... here we have a sincere energy with a great sense of humor ... sometimes things are blurted out without considering the consequences ... there can be highly intuitive flashes of truth ... there is also such an overabundance of varied interests that one can scatter their mental forces too thinly ... here the mind does not need sharpening, only good direction ... generous, progressive and honest, this Mercury does not like deception on any level ... there is great interest in higher education, philosophy and religion ... intellectual status is admired and one could become a non-stop talker ... there is a love of travel of any kind found here - foreign places, cultures and people can inspire ones mindset ... the mental approach is broad and quick ... communication is made enthusiastically, openly and optimistically ... the desire to be direct, truthful, generous and broad-minded aids in connections with other people ... thinking and reasoning are usually influenced by long-term goals rather than specific or short-term desires and needs ... honesty is usually a major focus with this energy ... one is likely to be quite articulate and gregarious ... there can be a tendency to leap to conclusions, overgeneralize and possibly overexaggerate ... one can inspire others through their ideas ... there is a natural inclination to learn and to teach other people what one knows ... there could also be an interest in writing or the law as well ...

The lesson of Mercury in Sagittarius is thinking through SEEKING ... its the eternal student ... the understanding that knowledge is truly power ... the mindset is broad and active and capable of cultivating itself and being aware of a variety of lifes aspects ... there needs to be a focus here otherwise the knowledge and experience can yield a personal philosophy that is merely a scattered collection of ideas and thoughts that are disconnected ... here we have a seeking mind that is looking for the meaning of life ... one usually speaks their mind yielding a refreshing clearing of the air in order for one to see where they stand with others, and where others stand with you and themselves ... getting things off ones chest is important with this energy - left unsaid it could lead to difficulty with communications and evening with breathing !!! ... here is a mind filled with wonder at all this world has to offer - everything is there for the finding ... mental freedom, a good hot debate, laughing and joking, great thoughts and the promises of life are liked ... not so well liked are an overabundance of ideas, long sad faces, small minded people and those who are wet blankets ... the energy of Mercury in Sagittarius can be expressed in the following ways :

POSITIVE: frank, sincere, open-minded, speaks ones mind, versatile mind, speculative, intuitive, noble-thinking, thinks big, learned, clever, far-sighted, philosophical, fair judge, sees truth, enthusiastic, cultured, eclectic, informed, well-connected

NEGATIVE: indiscreet, irreverent, overly talkative, scattered mind, irrelevant, illogical, poor concentration, overly-grand ideas, too academic, impractical, short-sighted, sermonizing, opinionated, self righteous, trendy, conceited, pompous

Mercury remains in the sign of Sagittarius until December 31st - WHAAAAAAAAAAAT ????... this is the last transit of a sign it will begin until it begins its final Retrograde journey for 2012 on November 6th ... Mercury will only get as far as 4 degrees of Sagittarius before turning retrograde and will return to the sign of Scorpio on November 13th/14th - depending on the time zone you live in -  to complete its backward journey !!!!... for Sagittarian born especially, but including the rest of us as well, the other cosmic joke here is that with all the scathingly brilliant ideas we may come up with to expand our lives and gain a better understanding of how we fit in the greater Universal plan, initiating action to bring these ideas into reality might be ill-advised until the upcoming Mercury retrograde is complete - and that is on November 26th  !!! ... meanwhile, each of us can enhance our native born intelligence with formal training if we choose ... we should look and listen ... gear your thoughts to an end that is enduring or even a cause that will inspire others ... and the best advice one can be given with Mercury in Sagittarius, especially factoring in the upcoming Retrograde period, is this - THINK BEFORE SPEAKING !!!

THE POWER OF UNDERTSTANDING IN THE MIDST OF STRIFE !!!

Venus began its graceful transit through the charming, sociable sign of Libra today, 10/28, at 9:04 AM EDT ... Venus is very much at home here as this is one of the two signs it naturally rules - the other being Taurus ... this Venus tends to first have a highly mental approach to love and romance with the emotional factor often coming into play later ... this Venus enjoys art, harmony, and certainly people ... it can be charming, diplomatic, and graceful in relating to others ... affection is expressed with elegance, charm, and consideration ... fairness, balance and gentleness are qualities used when interacting with others ... sometimes there can be such an excessive desire for peace and tranquility that one avoids having to face issues which ultimately can inhibit intimacy ... there is pleasure found in balance and in beauty ... this energy appreciates symmetry ... the handling of money and possessions is most likely cooperative even though at times there could be a competitive edge ... Venus in Libra wants affection, beauty and ease in love relationships with a need for equal sharing between one and ones partner ... this Venus is also equally concerned about justice and fairness ...

This Venus in Libra energy is all about loving through relating ... its the aesthetic ... one can appreciate and understand art and socitey on their own seperate levels ... there is an inner sense of harmony here which yields the ability to see life in terms of beauty and justice ... this ability comes from more of a mental approach rather than an emotional one ... here one recognizes that beauty is important with the question arising whether or not it is more than or simply skin deep ... the ultimate answer is that it is both ... Venus in Libra can easily be attracted to ones inner beauty in addition to or rather than their outward appearance ... there is also probably a fear of conflict and disharmony ... ugly scenes, feeling unattractive, uncouth behavior and fake love are strongly disliked ... this energy is likely to attract either popularity or wealth, or both ... social harmony, tastefulness, being in love, beautiful surroundings and true marriage are highly appreciated here ... the energy of Venus in Libra can be expressed in the following ways :

POSITIVE: eye for beauty, strong color sense, good ear, artistic, affectionate, likeable, magnetic, fair-looking, refined, graceful, pleasant, socially correct, romantically steadfast, relates well, harmonious, just, empathetic, broad-minded

NEGATIVE: hung up on appearances, oversensitive, music snob, art snob, takes personal liberties, frivolous, seducing, vain, affected, phoney, overly concerned with etiquette, superficial, insincere, avoids conflict, indifferent, cold, cynical, social outcast

Libra born individuals, this is your time when the love light of Venus shines on you and, as always, ask for what you want since you might just get it ... remember your personal ideal is something to strive towards and not stubbornly insist upon ... relationships will ultimately prosper on love of the best AND the worst ... and certainly the undeniable ultimate expression of Venus in Libra is developing the ability to lend grace where awkwardness exists and understanding in the midst of strife !!!

Venus remains in the sign of Libra until November 21st ... It's time to seek beauty and learn to truly appreciate it for what it is, determine where your passion for the pursuit of justice truly lies, and of course, play nice with the other children !!!

WHAT LIES BENEATH - THE POWER OF HEALING OR DESTRUCTION !!!

The Sun began its transit through the determined, aggressive, shrewd sign of Scorpio today, 10/22, at 8:15 PM EDT ... we are now being directed to turn inward to face truths about ourselves and what lies beneath  - YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH - OR CAN YOU ???? ... this energy can be extremely intense but also highly transformational ... being a water sign, you can bet the emotions will come into play constantly as opposed to the mental approach of the air sign of Libra ... this energy needs to shine passionately, through its power and resourcefulness, through seeking recognition for its penetration, and maybe through being in the limelight through a compulsive persistence ... Scorpio is rarely passive or neutral about anything ... jealousy, being resentful and vengeance are often expressed through this deep, quite private and reserved energy ... recuperative powers are quite remarkable ... here we have the energy of the truth-seeker who uses keen judgement coupled with penetrating insight which ultimately may empower one to exercise a great deal of authority over others ... science, medicine or any field of investigation could attract one ... willpower and persistence are key factors, and even though one may become rather reticent, when pushed one becomes very outspoken and extremely direct ... Scorpio may forgive but it NEVER forgets !!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Sun in Scorpio now joins Mercury, currently in its shadow point preparing for its final retrograde journey of 2012 to begin on November 6th - though it will pop into Sagittarius briefly before returning, and Saturn which just began its roughly two and a half year transit of Scorpio - we may now get a preview of what this transit will entail with all this Scorpio energy ... The Sun remains in Scorpio until November 21st ... remember, power comes through you: hate, and power kills ... love, and power heals ... the greatest strength here is forgiving weakness ... if you look deeply enough into someone or something you may ultimately find yourself and your personal power ... reaching the point where you are no longer after something, you may realize what it is you are truly after ... for the next several weeks we all have the power at our hands to produce extremely transformational and healing energy, or to sink to the level of vengeance, destruction and ruin - which will you choose ???

OPEN A NEW WINDOW ... OPEN A NEW DOOR ... AND GO !!!

Mars began its transit through the adventurous, freedom loving sign of Sagittarius yesterday, 10/06, at 11:21 PM EDT ... this is a fire sign and Mars is extremely happy here, but it can be very productive or very destructive depending on how the energy is put to use ... this Mars is an "exploring energy"!!! ... it believes life is far too short to tie up ones energy in one place for too long ... this energy can make one naturally optimistic, confident, extroverted and humorous ... freedom and expanded horizons are an absolute must here!!! ... there is a spontaneous inclination towards athletics, philosophy, education, adventure, exploration or anything that seeks MORE of life ... identity is tied to beliefs and values ... often what you want is guided by your faith which ultimately determines your goals in addition to your morality ... there is decisive action in the pursuit of your vision for the future or a personal aspiration ... in addition, often sexual drive and physical energy is fed by adventurous activities ... excitement, risks, movement and exploration are what Mars in Sagittarius thrives on ...

People born under or influenced by this transiting energy are frequently driven by strong religious and/or philosophic convictions ... remember, Sagittarius is the sign on the cusp of the 9th house in the natural horoscope ... one has to be careful here not to arouse resentment of others by trying to convert others to their dogmatic beliefs ... one will find a strong sense of patriotism under this energy ... there can be the desire to improve the social order in which one lives ... distant places and travel, especially foreign, and the adventure and excitement they provide beckon loudly!!! ... Mars in Sagittarius produces those who are direct and open in their attitudes and actions ... one of the biggest caveats found with this energy is beware the temptation to go too far too fast and spread ones energy way too thin ...

The essence of Mars in Sagittarius is getting through seeking ... there seems to be a built-in urge that the sense of freedom of movement is your right thus allowing you to venture toward some distant horizon in any direction whenever you feel this urge ... however the operative phrase here might more likely be not in any direction but "in what direction" ... to get what you want in life under this energy requires that you have a definite goal ... without this, Mars in Sagittarius could end up causing you to rampage about, both physically and emotionally, never acting on anything thus never really getting anywhere ... there must be a dream here to focus your energies on, otherwise you may ultimately feel constricted by life's situations since you haven't considered what exactly you want your freedom for - your personal banner needs something specific inscribed upon it !!! ... and which way will you use this fiery energy???

POSITIVE: independent, far-sighted, freedom loving, explorative, daring and bold, adventurous, optimistic, forcefully convincing, crusading, effective teacher, active idealist, frank and open, to the point, clears the air, enthusiastic, lusty and vigorous, mobile, spirited, very friendly

NEGATIVE: opinionated, overlooks obvious, demands unlimited freedom, impetuous, scatters energies, wildly hopeful, self-righteous, fanatical, ear-bashing, preaching, tactless and rude, harsh, argumentative, extremist, lustful and carnal, restless, boisterous, lecherous

Sagittarian born individuals, did you wake up this morning with an extra dose of energy perhaps??? ... enjoy the portion of Universal "Red Bull" you are empowered with but be careful not to "incinerate" others with this energy boost!!! ... no mountain will be too high for you to reach the summit in your quest !!! ... or even too high for any of us ... interesting to note, Mars was last in Sagittarius from October 28th, 2010 - December 7th, 2010 ... Sagittarius' ruling planet, Jupiter was Retrograde for about half of that transit - 20 of 41 days ... this time Jupiter is Retrograde during the entire transit of Mars through Sagittarius ... so exactly how far will we get and will this exploration tend to be more mental than physical which would be appropriate since Sagittarius deals with, among other things, philosopy, religion and spirituality ??? ... after all, we are in a time of a great shift in the collective consciousness !!!

Mars remains in the sign of Sagittarius until November 16th - ironically right in the middle of the final Mercury retrograde journey of 2012 !!!  ... make the most of this energy in the most productive way possible for the next 6 weeks ... and remember when it is all said and done - the "ultimate adventure" is getting lost in order to discover who, where and what YOU are!!!