READY ... SET ... GO !!!!!!!!!

Mercury completed its first retrograde journey for 2013 yesterday, 3/17, and stationed back into direct motion at 4:03 PM EDT - do I hear a BIG SIGH OF RELIEF out there ??? ... hopefully the mental "fog" and confusion while Mercury was retrograde in Pisces will now begin to lift as it is time to ease back into the forward swing of things on all levels ... over the next few days to the next few weeks or even months, there may be some "a-ha" lights coming on in regard to decisions made during the retrograde period from 2/23 through yesterday 3/17 and possibly as far back as 2/8 when Mercury entered its shadow point - the point where it would come out of the retrograde journey yesterday which was at 5 degrees of Pisces ... or did issues and complications or questioning arise in regards to things done during the last retrograde period from 11/6 through 11/26 2012 ??? ... or maybe even as far back as the retrograde period from 7/14 - 8/7,8 2012 ???

The recurring question we may find ourselves asking is "WHY" ??????? ...What actions did you take or were taken against you that you may now be regretting or simply wondering why you chose to do or were the victim of that particular course of action, and why didn't you or the other person wait a little longer or are simply now trying to figure out why it happened ???? .... did you make any major purchases - homes, cars, electronics - that now don't seem like the best thought out course of action ??? ... there could be problems regarding any purchases made with anything where electrical energy and/or computers were involved .... relationships may have come to an end - some needed to and others may have jumped the gun and you are now wondering, or will be, why did I do that or end things at this point ... and how many of you got married - OOPSIE !!! ... all of these scenarios are possible as the energy of a Mercury retrograde is one where communications and mental energy is going "backwards" ...

As Mercury was retrograde entirely in the sign of Pisces, did anyone begin to rethink old habit patterns and how they emotionally respond to life’s challenges ??? ... As Pisces is ruled by Neptune the planet of illusion, delusion, the spiritual and enlightenment, did our minds become distracted either by constant confusion and misunderstandings, already a given in a Mercury retrograde, or strongly drawn to our intuitive abilities and the pursuit of the "ideal" ... as Pisces, whose planetary ruler is Neptune, naturally rules the 12th house, were there issues regarding dealing with your inner strengths and weaknesses; endings on some level of our lives; places of confinement - jails, hospitals or mental institutions; the desire to withdraw to places of solitude so we could quietly reflect on life and where you are heading; your frustrations; inner consciousness and the subconscious mind; charitable endeavors; was anyone  inspired having an aptitude for art, music, dancing or writing; or maybe perhaps had to deal with actions that could ultimately result on your own self-undoing ??? ... or could it even be that something came up with actions taken the last time Mercury was completely retrograde in Pisces from March 2nd - March 25th, 2006 ???

And lets not forget health issues in general as Mercury naturally rules the 6th house of Health ... but perhaps more so issues with the feet being the part of the anatomy Pisces rules ...

Now there may be a few instances where nothing really major happened but rather only minor annoyances ... those born roughly between February 22nd and March 10th may have been impacted in some special way as Retrograde Mercury passed backwards over their natal Sun placement ... Gemini and Virgo born your first period of review and reflection for 2013 has concluded - time to start busting a move once again which you like to do anyway don't you  ??? .... also, anyone making new beginnings and signing contracts during the retrograde period may find they do not not pan out in the end as the energy simply won't be supported or something important may have been overlooked ... new jobs begun or accepted during the retrograde period may not prove to be what they were supposed to be and/or completely fall apart down the road ...

Mercury turned direct yesterday at 19 degrees of Pisces and will complete its transit through the sign of Pisces on April 13th ... below is a reminder of what the energy of the transit of Mercury through Pisces may produce :

With Mercury in Pisces the thinking and communicating will be greatly influenced by and through our emotions as Pisces is a water sign, so the mind and tongue will tend to be sensitive and intuitive with a large dose of compassion thrown in ... one will often express their intelligence sympathetically ... if one feels safe they can be talkative and very sociable, but if not they will clam up rather fast ... this energy gives one a poetic expression or ones language may be lovely and engaging ... communication here is made idealistically, imaginatively or perhaps evasively ... frequently one can make communications with other people on a non-verbal level, and one may be psychically or spiritually tuned in ... one can uplift others through their thinking and/or communicating ... often there is a wonderfully creative imagination and beauty can be created with either the mind or with ones hands ... interests are usually geared toward areas that are inspirational such as art, nature or the spirit ... one could be inclined towards fantasy, evasion, avoidance or denial if what is perceived does not match ones inner ideals ... the phrase "what if ???" may frequently cloud the reasoning process with this energy ... overall, one can be quite flexible in their thinking, have a holistic approach, or even have a natural talent for synthesizing and seeing the whole of any situation ... sometimes the energy of Mercury in Pisces can produce the image of the absentminded professor ... one must also take extra care here as Pisces, which is ruled by Neptune the planet of illusion and escapism, can lure one to escape "mental" reality through drugs and alcohol !!!

The essence of Mercury in Pisces is thinking through accepting ... the poetic mind ... the dreamer of dreams ... the mind is very sensitive under this energy and it can absorb as much information as, if not more than, it learns ... sometimes thoughts and notions will appear to have come from "somewhere else" which will cause doubt in their truth and thus eventually lead to a form of mental exhaustion as a result of resisting cerebral sensitivity and reasoning ... even though this is more the mind of the poet rather than the technician, one is still able to "dream up" both scientific and artistic visions ... here the mind thinks in pictures and one can richly profit by drawing from ones dream life ... it is highly suggested to keep a dream journal - you may be surprised how creatively and divinely inspiring your dreams become!!! ... with Mercury in Pisces there is the ability to be in touch mentally with the Collective Unconscious and navigate the vast sea of all the thoughts and feelings that ever were or ever will be ... it is wise to accept and to understand the channel-like quality of ones mind here and to always give expression to what is coming through ... the energy of Mercury in Pisces can be expressed the following ways:

POSITIVE: imaginative, sensitive mind, visually aware, artistic, obliging, psychic, good instincts, receptive, humorous, versatile, good mimic, highly perceptive, philosophical, dreamer, good long-term memory, accepting, refined mind, contemplative, gentle, sympathetic

NEGATIVE: suspicious, evasive, easily freaked out, lazy, easily swayed, irrational, fearful, gullible, obscure, vague, uncommunicative, absent-minded, bad short-term memory, elusive, weak-minded, slow, wimpish, at a loss for words, seeing things

Mercury in Pisces encourages one to know that what one lacks in knowledge one makes up for in understanding - so take your time ... you have the power to choose what you take "on board" and its up to you to discover how to use it ... use your imagination in a creative fashion instead of becoming a victim of it !!!

Mercury remains in direct motion until June 26th - the beginning of its second retrograde journey for 2013 which will take place completely in the sign of Cancer !!! ... Mercury will return to full speed and exit the retrograde zone on April 6th when it returns to 19 degrees of Pisces which is where it began its retrograde journey this time ... but still for now it's time to get READY ... SET ... GO !!!

THE LEADER OF THE PACK ... ???

Mars, the planet symbolizing raw energy and the urge to get what you want and includes the drive - be it sexual drive, initiative or courage - began its transit through the fiery, dynamic sign of Aries today, March 12th, at 2:26 AM EDT ... Mars has come home to the sign it naturally rules and operates very efficiently here .. it has the greatest potential to be very constructive or extremely destructive when infused with the energy of Aries depending on how the energy is used ... Mars was last in Aries from April 2nd through May 11th 2011 - can you remember taking any action or initiative regarding something in your life or having to stand your ground for some reason during that period ??? ... Mars takes approximately 2 years to journey around the zodiac ...

Mars in Aries needs to be physically active and tends to be naturally assertive ... it is direct, forceful, and highly competitive ... self-expression is very important here as is the need to do your own thing ... should ones free self-expression be blocked there is the risk of repression - which could lead to some form of illness, projection - which can lead to confronting aggression in others, or displacement - which could lead to fighting with team members ... finding areas where one can be spontaneous is important ... there could be a flair for starting things - which sometimes are not finished after they lose their initial novelty!!!, or there could be mechanical skills ... this energy is very good for facing obstacles and at confrontation but there may be a need to control being too rash or impatient ... one best functions with a lot of freedom, variety, and a chance to be a pioneer ... with this energy comes great restlessness, being willful and a high degree of initiative, sexual drive and physical energy ... sometimes sexual matters may be handled very impulsively ... identity is usually tied to independence and spontaneity ... it has been said that anger and self-assertion are at their most honest here ... this Mars gets mad, gets it out and gets over it ...

The lesson to be learned with Mars in Aries is getting results through active doing ... there is usually a reliable but uncontainable supply of raw energy which must have an outlet and ultimately a direction ... here we have a no-nonsense approach to things ... sometimes it may become necessary to stop and ask oneself "What am I actually after?" ... there is definitely a lot of get-up-and-go as well as ones share of hard knocks ... courage and initiative are usually at the top of the priority list, but love and patience are frequently missing ... one can rather easily spark enthusiasm in others with this energy ... Mars in Aries is very much the "warrior" or "Amazon" ... the best expression of this Martian energy is that of the untiring champion of the underdog using both word and deeds to help promote your cause ... showing people what you can do rather than what they should do can set an inspiring and uplifting example ... the energy of Mars in Aries can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: self-assured, self-willed, independent, survivor, bold, energetic, fighter, fearless, direct, brisk, championing, outspoken, daring, dashing, exhilarating, spirited, leader-type, strong stamina, enthusiastic, self-starting

NEGATIVE: inner doubt, egocentric, uncooperative, selfish, aggressive, pushy, militant, violent, unsubtle, intolerant, quarrelsome, foolhardy, exhausting, ostentatious, bullying, insensitive, insatiable, self-defeating, anger ridden

With Mars in Aries, it benefits one to direct their energies into a worthwhile cause rather than bullying and badgering others ... knowing who and what you are dependent on not only emancipates but supports you ... Aries born individuals this is roughly a six week period for you to be infused with and extra boost of energy even though you probably have more than enough energy to get you through naturally ... use it constructively and not destructively ... we all will be infused with extra energy especially to make new starts ...  Mars now joins Uranus - what a dynamic duo !!! - in Aries with the Sun and Venus to follow next week, and Mercury joining the party mid April ... Mars remains in Aries until April 20th ...

BUT HOLD ON A MINUTE !!! ... even though we are bestowed with all this fiery Mars energy to move forward and start new beginnings, do not forget there is something peeing on this parade ... you guessed it ... Mercury is currently RETROGRADE until the 17th, so it will be affecting this energy on some level and it is probably a good idea not to go charging off on some new beginning until then ... in fact we may not actually feel the full impact of this Mars energy until after March 17th when Mercury stations back into direct motion ... and then ... LOOKOUT - it's any ones guess how the rush of the fiery energy which will continue to build as other planets move into Aries will play out in our personal lives and on a global level ... the next 3-4 weeks may prove extremely challenging ... it might be a good idea to look at your natal chart and see where the 30 degrees of Aries falls in order to get an idea where in your life this fiery energy may manifest itself ...

Nevertheless, it's time, as Mars begins its transit through Aries, to start making plans for new beginnings and actions by taking charge of and beginning to change something in your life that will result in positive personal growth and ultimately enable you, somewhere in your life, to step up and become "the leader of the pack" !!!

IDEAL LOVE ON THE PROVERBIAL "PEDESTAL" !!!

Venus began its transit through the sympathetic, emotional sign of Pisces yesterday, 2/25, at 9:03 PM EST ... this Venus is all about dreams and wishes, fairy tale endings, love at first sight, and happily ever after ... Venus is exalted in Pisces - a planet that is exalted in a sign expresses its energy more harmoniously and visibly, especially since Pisces ruler Neptune is the higher vibrational octave of Venus ... Venus in Pisces enjoys being compassionate, tenderhearted and helpful ... often one relates to others by taking the role of either the rescuer or a person looking for help ... affection is usually expressed idealistically, romantically, sympathetically, or sometimes evasively ... there is a deep desire for magic and romance in love ... one of the obstacles here can be a lack of clarity about what you want or a failure to be objective in regards to others which can ultimately set you up for disappointment, disillusionment, or possibly deception ... it is very easy under this energy to idealize love and loved ones, and one must guard against putting people and love on the proverbial "pedestal" as when reality sinks in the results can be devastating ... sometimes a lack of discrimination can lead to highly frustrating attachments ... in this energy, one often wants a beautiful dream in their love relationships, yearns for a true soul mate, or can be psychically attuned to ones partner ... since Pisces is a water sign, Venus traveling here is especially subject to the emotions being a large part of the drive - even more so than usual!!!

Venus in Pisces can give great sensitivity to hurt that makes one feel as though they are being picked on ... one must guard against clinging to illusory loves just because they are far more beautiful than real life ... and this could ultimately prevent one from finding true closeness with another ... the bottom line here is that this Venus wants to experience the perfect, unselfish love ... tastes are frequently very refined here ... music is usually a natural means of self-expression as well as art ...

The lesson of Venus in Pisces is learning to love through accepting - the love of all ... in fact love IS all ... this energy sees the Eternal Life principle flowing through every manifestation and therefore uniting the soul with all of life ... it is said that this placement of Venus most likely has more innate ability for inspired artistic creativity than any other ... also at heart one knows and feels that love is everything ... everything is regarded as being alive and sacred ... Venus in Pisces can yield a complex love nature ... this is due to having a highly evolved sense of love as unconditional and of beauty as a healing property, but on the other hand the fears and doubts that can accompany this energy can make one inclined to see love as something one "needs" and beauty as something to "get" or to "own" ... the truth here is that each one of us is a thing of love and beauty, but if one begins to doubt this, then one can open them self up to being used and abused ... and in the end, it comes down to the fact that you can only love the world and those in it as much as you love yourself as a part of the world !!! ...the energy of Venus in Pisces can express itself in the following ways :

POSITIVE: compassionate, sympathetic, appreciates unity of all life, congenial, evocative, sensitive lover, easygoing, artistically inspired, natural healer, self-sacrificing, selfless, highly affectionate, altruistic, very generous, loves unconditionally, gentle, philanthropic, peaceful

NEGATIVE: martyr, too sentimental, too passive, seducing, idealizes lover, romantically deluding, hypersensitive, self-pitying, weak-willed, wanton, no self-value, undiscerning, fears rejection, indulging, evasive, overly impressionable

Venus remains in Pisces until March 21st ... Venus now joins the Sun, Mercury, Mars and Neptune in this dreamy swim through the "waters" of Pisces ... BUT - this could end up being a very challenging transit for Venus because Mercury is currently retrograde in Pisces and will be so for 21 of the 24 days of this particular Venus transit ... and given that Pisces planetary ruler Neptune often causes us to seek the ideal, sometimes too much so, while at the same time blurring boundaries and making things subject to lack of clarity, in the end what we value, who and what we love, and how we earn and spend our money could change greatly or become the victim of very confused and irrational decisions  ...

Pisces born individuals, don't forget this is the time when Venus shines its beautiful light upon you, and it is usually a good time to ask for what you want - even given all the planetary energy in Pisces now that might suggest otherwise - you're still likely to be pretty much irresistible !!! ... for everyone, it's time to keep "carefully" searching for the perfect "ahhhh" and seeking  love with all the trimmings ... and it may be waiting - all for YOU !!!

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR ... WHAT ???

Whether we like it or not - NOT !!!! - Mercury began its first RETROGRADE journey for 2013 today, February 23rd, at 4:41 AM 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!!! ... It is very important to understand that planetary retrogrades are NOT ALWAYS the harbingers of doom and gloom ... even though it is true they can cause disruption and misunderstandings, we have to realize these are simply Universal "time outs" which give us the opportunity to drop back and rethink and review our actions being generated by the planet which is retrograde, especially as the energy relates to the current sign that planet is currently transiting through ... bottom line - though we often joke about it, retrogrades shouldn't always be feared and dreaded but perhaps approached cautiously ... the Universe is giving us a chance to right our wrongs and redirect ourselves to achieve more beneficial personal growth !!! ... that being said, some of you may have noticed the energy beginning to move backwards already as Mercury entered its shadow point - the point where it will come out of the retrograde on March 17th - back on February 8^th at 5 degrees of Pisces ... it practically goes without saying that 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 ...

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

To RE-peat, 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" !!! ... this first Mercury retrograde journey for 2013  takes place from 19 degrees back down to 5 degrees of Pisces ... 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 ... if you've had a natal chart done and know where these degrees fall, then you will probably get an idea of where in life the Universe is asking you to step back and take a closer look at what you are doing in that area of your life ...

Mercury retrograding in the sign of Pisces yields an emphasis to an opportunity to rethink old habit patterns and how we emotionally respond to life’s challenges ... As Pisces is ruled by Neptune the planet of illusion, delusion, the spiritual and enlightenment, we can certainly expect our minds to become distracted either by constant confusion and misunderstandings, already a given in a Mercury retrograde, or strongly drawn to our intuitive abilities and the pursuit of the "ideal" ... also as Pisces, whose planetary ruler is Neptune, naturally rules the 12th house, there could be issues regarding dealing with our inner strengths and weaknesses; endings on some level of our lives; places of confinement - jails, hospitals or mental institutions; the desire to withdraw to places of solitude so we may quietly reflect on our life and where we are heading; our frustrations; inner consciousness and the subconscious mind; charitable endeavors; we could also be inspired if we have an aptitude for art, music, dancing or writing; or maybe we will be dealing with actions that could ultimately result in our own self-undoing ... the last time Mercury was retrograde completely in the sign of Pisces was from March 2nd through March 25th, 2006 from 26 degrees back down to 13 degrees so this current retrograde could produce a lot of similarities sign wise ... can you remember what was going on back then ???

 

In regards to overall health, remember Mercury is the natural planetary ruler of the 6th house which rules health, so there could be more chances the have health issues in general during a Mercury retrograde ... and being in Pisces especially the area of the feet ...  this is usually not a good time to have surgery as the healing process could be slowed down or there could be the chance of having to go back at a later date and take care of something that wasn't done correctly - especially in regards to cosmetic surgery !!! ... now this applies to elective surgery ... as for emergency surgery, we have no control over that and trying to put that off might produce catastrophic results !!!! ... and for the next few days one might want to be especially cautious as we are also building towards a full moon in Virgo and during full moons bodily fluids are usually at their highest ...

 

 

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 (March 17th).

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

Recall - Your mind will wonder back. You will think of people from the past or you will encounter someone from the past. If old lovers show up, don't bet that it will stick. Believe me... it is just for a "review." (And if it does last, I want to be the first to know about it. E-mail me and let me know). And you know what, I wouldn't start a new romance during this period either - wait until after March 17th !!!

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 30th, you will 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 "Realize" this simple truth: The flow of the universe is very, very interesting and it is going to have its way with us.

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


Back to me now ....Those born between February 23rd and March 17th will most likely have Mercury retrograde in their solar return - birthday chart - 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 summed up by Mary Fortier Shea in her book titled "Planets in Solar Return":

"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 ...

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

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

 

It should be mentioned that this first Mercury retrograde for 2013 could have some added impact as it will have four other planets in the same sign with it - the Sun and Neptune the entire time, Venus for  20 days, and Mars for the first 17 days ... AND, there could be some added confusion and lack of clarity as Pisces planetary ruler Neptune tends to "dissolve" and makes things rather blurred and foggy !!!

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 November 6th through November 26th, 2012 or actions we undertook since the last Mercury Retrograde ended on November 26th, 2012 ... also actions from the previous retrograde periods could come back to haunt us as well - for 2012 that would be, including the November period, July 14th - August 7th/8th and March 12th - April 4th ... 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 23 days ... Mercury remains retrograde until March 17th - all you leprechauns will have extra cause for celebration that day !!!! ... so slow down and try not to act too impulsively or the day may come in the near future when you live to regret what you did ... be aware tempers will flare and patience may become scarce, but that personal sense of humor, being one of your greatest allies, should be called upon frequently as the Mercury Retrograde merrily wreaks havoc and/or bestows enlightenment ... so in the end my fellow beings of light, as this first Mercury Retrograde period of 2013 is now upon us, the question becomes will we become the constant victim of Cosmic Chaos, become the recipient of great Cosmic Clarity ... or BOTH ???

ARE YOUR FOUNDATIONS STRONG OR SHAKY ???

Saturn - the planet representing the urge for security and safety, that is also known as the taskmaster teaching us the lessons we must learn in life, shows us what we are unsure of or truly fear, and forces us to find the means to acquire discipline, effort and sense of order so that we may overcome limitations and obstacles - began its RETROGRADE journey for 2012 yesterday, 2/18 at 12:03 PM EST ...

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

Saturn is currently transiting through the sign of Scorpio ... it is very powerful in the secretive and passionate sign of Scorpio ... here we are trying to understand human motivation that ultimately enables us to control others which of course can either be a very good thing or something very dark and challenging ... our desire nature is being thoroughly tested bringing to light that which is hidden even if we don't want it to be revealed ... we also are being tested in areas regarding issues of personal power and intimacy, our spiritual nature, and joint financial ventures ... also there may be a lot of intense review and consideration regarding legacies, trusts, wills and taxes ... we all have been working on positive transformation by trying to gain honest awareness of our failings as well as others and making the necessary corrections ... this process began back on October 5th when Saturn began its transit through Scorpio and will be ongoing until it completes its transit on September 17th/18th, 2015 ... obviously Saturn can be very challenging and restricting when it comes to teaching us lessons about life, so it would make sense that its retrograde periods, for review and reflection, last longer than those of the personal planets - Mercury, Venus and Mars ...

My fellow Capricorns, this begins our yearly period of review and self introspection since this is our ruling planet ... what has been going on in your life since Saturn stationed back into direct motion on June 25th, 2012  ... what have you been working on and possibly rebuilding and restructuring that now needs some re-examination to determine whether or not you are on the right track or producing the desired results you are working towards ??? ... or what did you start working on during the last Saturn retrograde period - February 19th, 2012 through June 15th, 2012 - that now MUST be addressed and either improved upon or simply let go of in order to facilitate personal growth ??? ... and this would apply for everyone as well !!!

Saturn retrogrades roughly every 12 1/2 months for a period of about 4 1/2 months ... Saturn remains retrograde until July 7th/8th of this year depending on the time zone in which you live ... Saturn teaches every one of us different but difficult lessons in life ... but if you keep your feet firmly planted and try to stay positive and understand that the "light at the end of the tunnel" usually signifies greater personal as well as spiritual growth, you will definitely come through a much stronger person and better for the lessons you have taken seriously and made great personal effort to learn from ... you will certainly be better equipped to deal with life and its many challenges !!!

SWIMMING WITH THE LITTLE FISHIES !!!

The Sun began its transit of the dreamy, mystical sign of Pisces today, February 18th at 7:02 AM EST ... the energy now shifts from the rebellious, unpredictable marching to the beat of a different drummer to swimming in emotionally, compassionate waters ... in Pisces one may strive to shine by creating beauty, shine through ones compassion, shine through psychic openness, or seek recognition through spiritual or mystical paths ... those born under the sign of Pisces have come in with a soul lesson of needing to learn peace ... Happy Solar Return all Pisces born - your new astrological year is beginning !!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Sun now joins Mercury, Mars and Neptune in the sign of Pisces which could make for a very interesting "party" ... especially as Mercury is set to being its first retrograde journey for 2013 on Saturday which will take place completely in the sign of Pisces ... so things could end up being rather confusing as Mercury will be retrograde for all but roughly 3 days of the Suns transit through Pisces - and being ruled by Neptune, the energy of Pisces is already subject to the possibilities of confusion and lack of clarity at times !!!

While under the influence of Pisces, one can INSPIRE others in many ways - just don't forget to take some credit for it and then forget that you did ... give yourself to yourself before anyone else and become illuminated ... the Sun remains in Pisces until March 20th  - time to explore your spirituality, and to dream, mystify, create, inspire, enlighten, be compassionate and believe in those fairy tale endings ... BUT take care to avoid falling into the watery depths of addiction, depression and deception !!!

TAKING A SPIN THROUGH THE ENDLESS WORLD OF OUR IMAGINATION !!!

Mercury began its dream-like transit through the highly perceptive, psychic sign of Pisces today, 2/5, at 9:56 AM  EST ... with Mercury in Pisces the thinking and communicating will be greatly influenced by and through our emotions as Pisces is a water sign, so the mind and tongue will tend to be sensitive and intuitive with a large dose of compassion thrown in ... one will often express their intelligence sympathetically ... if one feels safe they can be talkative and very sociable, but if not they will clam up rather fast ... this energy gives one a poetic expression or ones language may be lovely and engaging ... communication here is made idealistically, imaginatively or perhaps evasively ... frequently one can make communications with other people on a non-verbal level, and one may be psychically or spiritually tuned in ... one can uplift others through their thinking and/or communicating ... often there is a wonderfully creative imagination and beauty can be created with either the mind or with ones hands ... interests are usually geared toward areas that are inspirational such as art, nature or the spirit ... one could be inclined towards fantasy, evasion, avoidance or denial if what is perceived does not match ones inner ideals ... the phrase "what if ???" may frequently cloud the reasoning process with this energy ... overall, one can be quite flexible in their thinking, have a holistic approach, or even have a natural talent for synthesizing and seeing the whole of any situation ... sometimes the energy of Mercury in Pisces can produce the image of the "absent minded" professor ... one must also take extra care here as Pisces, which is ruled by Neptune the planet of illusion and escapism, can lure one to escape "mental" reality through drugs and alcohol !!!

The essence of Mercury in Pisces is thinking through accepting ... the poetic mind ... the dreamer of dreams ... the mind is very sensitive under this energy and it can absorb as much information as, if not more than, it learns ... sometimes thoughts and notions will appear to have come from "somewhere else" which will cause doubt in their truth and thus eventually lead to a form of mental exhaustion as a result of resisting cerebral sensitivity and reasoning ... even though this is more the mind of the poet rather than the technician, one is still able to "dream up" both scientific and artistic visions ... here the mind thinks in pictures and one can richly profit by drawing from ones dream life ... it is highly suggested to keep a dream journal - you may be surprised how creatively and divinely inspiring your dreams become!!! ... with Mercury in Pisces there is the ability to be in touch mentally with the Collective Unconscious and navigate the vast sea of all the thoughts and feelings that ever were or ever will be ... it is wise to accept and to understand the channel-like quality of ones mind here and to always give expression to what is coming through ... the energy of Mercury in Pisces can be expressed the following ways:

POSITIVE: imaginative, sensitive mind, visually aware, artistic, obliging, psychic, good instincts, receptive, humorous, versatile, good mimic, highly perceptive, philosophical, dreamer, good long-term memory, accepting, refined mind, contemplative, gentle, sympathetic

NEGATIVE: suspicious, evasive, easily freaked out, lazy, easily swayed, irrational, fearful, gullible, obscure, vague, uncommunicative, absent-minded, bad short-term memory, elusive, weak-minded, slow, wimpish, at a loss for words, seeing things

Mercury in Pisces encourages one to know that what one lacks in knowledge one makes up for in understanding - so take your time ... you have the power to choose what you take "on board" and its up to you to discover how to use it ... use your imagination in a creative fashion instead of becoming a victim of it !!!

Mercury has now joined Mars and Neptune in the sign of Pisces ... the mind will certainly be active and influenced by many inspirational and imaginative factors .. it is up to each one of us to determine what is real and what is fleeting ... keep an open mind and allow the Universe to show you a slice of its infinite wisdom and its creative process at work !!! ... Mercury remains in the sign of Pisces, getting no further than 19 degrees, until ... WAIT FOR IT ... APRIL 13TH due to its upcoming first RETROGRADE journey for 2013 on the 22nd/23rd of February depending on what time zone in which you live - are you ready ??? ... this first retrograde will take place entirely in the sign of Pisces ... PREPARE YOURSELVES !!! ... meanwhile - we'll begin, with a spin ... traveling in the world of our own creation ... what we'll see, will defy ... explanation !!!