SEEING IS BELIEVING !!!

MERCURY began its highly focused and concentrated transit through the sign of Taurus on Sunday, May 14th at 8:40 AM EDT ... our mode of thinking and communicating now shifts from the rapid fire energy of Aries into the slower and more methodical energy of Taurus ... Mercury was last in the sign of Taurus from March 31st through June 6th, 2017 ... a longer than normal due to its second retrograde period for 2017 !!!



The keyword for this energy is "factual" !!! ... here the mind and tongue work deliberately and steadily with the tendency to sometimes get stuck in mental ruts ... this energy can be highly practical and grounded ... business skills or any activity that incorporates the use of common sense usually accompanies this energy ... often there can be learning through tactile contact or actual physical manipulation of the world ... perceptions can often be limited due to a desire to learn slowly and carefully ... there is a desire to bring ideas down to earth, and there are usually interests in money, sensuality and physical comfort  !!!

Mercury in Taurus loves to read - ANYTHING !!! ... time is taken in order to arrive at all decisions ... this Mercury likes to "sleep on it" and needs solid, tangible, physical proof in order to really believe in anything ... the thought pattern is developed in terms of worth thus making "value" the ultimate selling point ... there is usually an excellent memory bestowed by this mercurial energy and it makes one a good observer but ironically one is apt to listen inattentively as their mind is almost always already made up and will rarely be changed !!! ... even though there is a love of reading, it is ultimately realized that experience teaches one the most valuable lessons in life !!!

Mercury in Taurus teaches us to think through stabilization ... it's all about the concrete mind - SEEING IS BELIEVING !!! ... the mind here likes to chew things over and over in order to acquire a true depth of knowledge ... and frequently because this energy takes longer to reach a decision, opportunities may be missed ... this energy has its definite likes and dislikes ... there is more of a taste for the traditional rather than the abstract and the avant-garde, and one finds it is steady working habits that produce thorough and solid results ... ultimately there is a gift given here to see how any plan will work out in physical terms ... the energy of Mercury in Taurus can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: sound mind, thorough, patient, cautious, shrewd, resourceful, sensible, realistic, good concentration, mentally sure, deliberating, practical thinker, sense of form, steady mind, enduring, mentally laid-back, docile, undemanding

NEGATIVE: slow minded, plodding, tardy, guarded, mean-minded, money-grubbing, boneheaded, one-track-minded, overburdened, limited thinker, stubborn mind, lazy-minded, dumb, misses the point, couch potato

Mercury now joins the Sun already in transit through Taurus with the really big news that Uranus begins it's initial transit through Taurus on May 15th ... and anytime an outer planet changes signs it is a major shift of usually great significance !!! ... Mercury remains in the sign of Taurus until May 29th !!!

Taurus born individuals, are you beginning to feel the tempo picking up in your thinking and communicating somewhat ??? ... now is your chance - along with the rest of us - to get a lot accomplished and get our minds anchored to a firmer foundation of rational and practical thinking with this earth energy !!!

Thinking and rethinking is exactly what Mercury in Taurus naturally likes to do ... and that is no "BULL" !!!

LET'S "TALK" ABOUT LOVE !!!

VENUS  - the planet representing love, affection, attraction, beauty, happiness, value and values, indulgence, superficiality, social and artistic expression, and harmony - began its transit through the charming and versatile sign of Gemini Tuesday, April 24th, at 12:40 PM EDT ... This Venus is both lighthearted and emotionally objective, and Gemini,being an air sign, encourages Venus to move about a lot and variety is indeed the spice of life which includes objects, foods, experiences, and most importantly PEOPLE !!! ... Venus was last in Gemini from July 4th through July 31st, 2017 !!!

Venus in Gemini likes intellectual stimulation as much as romance ... there is a tendency towards a lack of commitment as Gemini makes Venus way too lighthearted to remain in one place for too long and can cause it to be very flirty ... often there is literary talent along with a love of language as well as sociability ... it enjoys mental stimulation as well as learning ... there is a pronounced casual air in relating to people ... this Venus just loves good ideas ... affection is expressed playfully, youthfully, verbally and lightheartedly ... the handling of money and possessions is usually objective and logical !!! 

Venus in Gemini is extremely oral, so to speak, as it thrives on good communications and intellectual give-and-take in love relationships ... flirting and engaging in superficial relationships could occur due to the desire for a lot of variety and new stimulation as well as a desire to keep things cool and steer clear of too much emotional intensity ... intelligence and quick wit is highly attractive here ... this Venus enjoys being amused and entertained, otherwise there will be the tendency to look over ones shoulder at whoever is passing by ... Venus in Gemini is frequently drawn towards younger partners !!!

Venus in Gemini teaches us that the most effective way we learn to love is through communicating ... it can be a sparkling personality ... there is a strong desire here to prevent stagnation and maintain fluidity so if you fall in love under this energy blindly expecting security and predictability you could be in for great disappointment ... Venus in Gemini is a budding love rather than love in full bloom so it has to be allowed to develop ... loving through communicating means letting the one you love know it rather than sitting on your feelings ... this Venus likes to get around - it is said that sexual or family ties are your "heart", but it is the diversity of social relationships that are the "lungs" which breathe life into your very being ... being a sign of duality, Gemini will cause Venus to be more aware of what it wants than what it thinks it wants ... it is most likely that under this energy one will only attract what they truly desire ... the energy of Venus in Gemini can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: amusing and friendly, coolly affectionate, light-hearted, emotionally objective, socially at ease, emotionally buoyant, stimulating company, lively conversationalist, ear to the ground, good-humored, expressive, agile and witty, socially adaptable, emotionally flexible, well-connected, charming, courteous, tactful, co-operative

NEGATIVE: overly flirtatious, flippant and flighty, makes light of others feelings, emotionally distant, social butterfly, superficial values, lack of commitment, meaningless banter, shallow gossip, empty gestures, verbose, restless and fickle, double standards, inconsistent partner, social opportunist, insincere, easy come - easy go

Gemini born individuals, this is your time to "glow" and become more "attractive" - the "love light" is shining on YOU ... as always, you should seek out and ask for what you want ... you just might get it !!!

Venus is currently the only planet transiting through the sign of Gemini, and will conclude its transit right before the Sun enters Gemini on May 20th ... Venus remains in the sign of Gemini until May 19th ... during the course of this Venus transit, we all should try to tap into our natural wit and appeal - it's there somewhere !!! 

Try listening to your heart and not your own voice as well as other peoples voices ... others will appreciate you if you truly appreciate them ... expressing your feelings verbally, without being overbearing, will open new doors both socially and emotionally ... time to get out there and experience the reality of variety truly being the spice of life ... and while you're at it, you just might become proficient at speaking the "language"of LOVE !!!

UPHEAVAL AND TRANSFORMATION GUARANTEED !!!

PLUTO - whose cosmic energy has the potential to bring about empowerment, destiny, awareness of obsessions, penetration to divulge hidden causes, to produce profound levels of consciousness, can bring about death - not necessarily of the physical body - rebirth, regeneration or destruction, transformation, harming or healing, depth and insight, and  has the energy to enable us with self-renewal began its retrograde journey for 2018 Sunday, April 22nd, at 11:23 AM EDT ... this Pluto retrograde will occur from 21 DEGREES 17  MINUTES CAPRICORN back to 18 DEGREES 45 MINUTES CAPRICORN !!!



As Pluto has been slowing down, astrologically speaking, and vibrating sending out its intense energy of transformation and change - much of which we either hadn't expected or in some cases really wanted needed even if we really didn't want to admit it - the last several weeks ... Pluto has been in the 21 degree area of Capricorn since March 19th !!! ... it has probably produced a lot of intensity and restless tension in many peoples lives somewhere ... if you've had a natal chart done and know where 21 degrees 17 minutes Capricorn falls, then you might understand where in your life this  impending shift was preparing to take place ... check to see if you have any natal planets at 21 degrees or within one or two degrees of that in any sign to determine whether or not Pluto is making a stressful or favorable aspect influencing your life !!!

While Pluto is in Capricorn, we can expect deep-reaching transformation of the social order and laws, corporate structures and in the areas of personal responsibility, fulfillment of duties, and general awakening as to personal destiny ... we might also expect some changes in the geographical structure of the earth as well - noticed the increased frequency of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions since Pluto entered Capricorn in January of 2008 ???

Pluto is an outer planet and its energy is directed towards not only personal but generational transformation, so it makes this a time for everyone to step back and review how each one of us is contributing to the future and evolution of mankind and the Earth, or perhaps how we are working towards destroying it ... it’s important to become more conscious of how we individually and collectively impact the Earth and our fellow human beings ... and how willing are you to take an honest look deep within yourself and be open minded and have faith enough to face your inner truth in order to determine where change must take place ???

Scorpio and Capricorn born could be especially sensitive to this shift and what it produces, as well as Cancer born as Capricorn is the sign in opposition to your natal sun placement ... but we will all feel this energy somewhere in our lives both individually and collectively ... keep in mind the tearing down yielding rebirth and change is needed in order to promote further personal and spiritual growth ... in some cases it may be very drastic and challenging while in others it may not have quite the forceful impact !!!

Scorpio born individuals, this is your yearly period of review and reflection of what is transpiring in your life, and especially what has transpired in your life since September 28th of 2017, that is urging you to release, allow transformation, regeneration and healing to take place in some area of your life - in other words, where must change take place due to a "cracked" or severely weakened foundation that will not support further personal and spiritual growth ??? ... and that goes for all of us as well !!!



If you have a Scorpio Moon or Ascendant you may be more sensitive to the retrograde period as well - Moon people through emotional issues and Ascendant people through issues of how you project yourself out into the world ... also if you know which house in your natal chart Pluto is currently transiting through, that "stage" where life plays out will produce some interesting and possibly challenging energy ... I have also read many times that when an outer planet - Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto - shifts directions, a slightly increased number of "souls" tend to leave the planet ... particularly those who are elderly ... something to watch for especially at the very beginning of the retrograde period and at the end !!!



Pluto naturally rules the elimination and reproduction systems of the body so there could be issues there ... maybe, maybe not ... Pluto is also the natural ruler of the 8th house - which includes the support you receive from other people including financial, moral, spiritual and physical ... it addresses legacies, trusts, wills, taxes, insurance matters and lets not forget "secrets", sex, spiritual and physical regeneration, psychological rebirth and degeneration and death - not necessarily actual physical though .... also occult matters, sleep, deep research, investigation, hidden assets - including the assets of partners and alimony, and finally, surgery - any of these areas are fair game during the Pluto retrograde ...

Pluto remains retrograde until September 30th ... as the harbinger of powerful upheaval, transformation, destruction, "death", rebirth and deep healing, Pluto retrograde certainly has the potential to and will most likely shake things up ... and one thing is absolutely for sure where Pluto is involved whether in forward or retrograde motion - THERE WILL BE CHANGE AND TRANSFORMATION !!!

RESTRUCTURING AND ORGANIZATION !!!

SATURN - the planet representing the urge for security and safety, that is also known as the taskmaster teaching us the lessons we must learn in life, shows us what we are unsure of or truly fear, and forces us to find the means to acquire discipline, effort and sense of order so that we may overcome limitations and obstacles, and most importantly known as Father Time - began its RETROGRADE journey for 2018 on April 17th at 9:47 PM EDT ... this Saturn retrograde period goes from 9 DEGREES 09 MINUTES back to 2 DEGREES 33 MINUTES CAPRICORN ... if you've had a natal chart done, then you know in what area or areas of your life, depending on whether or not this retrograde period will take place in one or two houses in your natal chart, Saturn has, and will continue for a while longer, be making you focus your attention on to improve and make sure your foundations are more secure and solid !!!



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 and elevate them to a higher level of efficiency ... it  is now time for every one of us to restructure systems, programs,  organizations, and even rules in order to make them function more productively  ... processes and policies will all benefit from re-examination during this period even though it may not always be easy but very challenging as well as frustrating !!!



Saturn is currently transiting through the sign of Capricorn which it began back on December 19th, 2017 ... this is the sign it naturally rules and is therefore is considered to be in dignity operating very powerfully ... Saturn in Capricorn is all about organizing ... this placement frequently gives rise to desire for power, prestige and some kind of authority ... it is considered to be an excellent placement for those interested in politics, business, science or any kind of career that brings public acclaim and recognition ... after all, Capricorn is the natural ruler of the 10th house which is concerned with career and public image !!!



Saturn in Capricorn is persistent, calculating, very careful, highly practical and very good at organization with its razor sharp focus ... but it can also yield a rather cold and reserved air at times ... it is often a marker of those born with this placement who had to struggle to gain personal security early in life ... as a result, one is willing and understands the necessity to work hard to achieve in life and fully expects others to do so as well ... this placement of Saturn can lead one to the highest levels of personal evolution and understanding, or it can cause one to lean towards being overly materialistic and selfish ... one definitely needs to learn to develop a sense of humor as this energy can be so driving and demanding !!!


My fellow Capricorns, this begins our yearly period of review and self introspection as this is our ruling planet ... what has been going on in your life since Saturn stationed back into direct motion back on August 25th, 2017 ???  ... what have you been working on and possibly rebuilding and restructuring that now needs some re-examination and reevaluation to determine whether or not you are on the right track to produce the desired results you are working towards ??? ... or what did you start working on during the last Saturn retrograde period - April 5th/6th through August 25th, 2017 - that now MUST be addressed and either improved upon or simply let go of in order to facilitate personal and spiritual growth ??? ... this applies to everyone as well !!!



Usually people are not very happy when Saturn comes into the picture to teach us and make us learn life lessons that often are very daunting and difficult, but we native Capricorns understand how hard Saturn's "weight" which can bear down on us ... so its retrograde journey each time becomes an opportunity for everyone else to feel and hopefully come to understand what we have to live with all of our life ... challenging - you bet !!! ... and no one would ever say it is an easy task, but the potential for rewards are unlimited if you open your eyes, ears and hearts, allow the universe to lead the way and be willing to go the distance ... after all, if you don't learn the first time, you can make sure the Universe will bring the lessons back around again, and the next time they may end up being even more difficult to deal with in your life !!!

Saturn retrogrades roughly every 12 1/2 months for a period of about 4 1/2 months ... Saturn remains retrograde until September 6th at 7:10 AM EDT ... indeed Saturn teaches every one of us different but difficult lessons in life ... but if you keep your feet firmly planted and try to stay positive and understand that the "light at the end of the tunnel" usually signifies greater personal as well as spiritual growth, you will definitely come through a much stronger person and better for the lessons you have taken seriously and made great personal effort to learn from ... you will definitely be better equipped to deal with life and its many challenges as well as being able to determine if you are truly standing on solid ground or teetering on faulty foundations that will eventually collapse beneath you creating who knows what kind of havoc in your life !!!

LEARNING TO BRING STABILITY INTO OUR LIVES !!!

The SUN began its yearly transit through the patient, practical sign of Taurus Thursday, April 19th, at 11:13 PM EDT ... the pace of life slows down somewhat and shifts into a slower mode of energy in Taurus which is an earth sign ... with the Sun in Taurus, we need to shine comfortably, seek recognition deliberately, shine in ones own dependability, and have a drive for recognition which manifests itself through sensuality and/or personal possessions ... this energy is persistent, determined yet cautious ...



Taurus is a feminine, fixed, earth sign therefore its tendency to nurture and comfort through a methodical but slower and more stable course of action ... its key phrase is "I Have" and its keyword is "stability" ... being a fixed sign, Taurus can appear to be quiet, affectionate, patient, stable, determined and practical, stubborn and resistant to change ... its symbol is the Bull and its glyph is the head and horns of the Bull - symbolically the glyph is a half-moon forming a cup that rests on the circle of the Sun ... the cup representing material wealth and power derived through the force of the will (the circle) ... the Bull can be strong, stubborn, plodding, and can be both fierce and gentle ... this energy can be quite headstrong but slow to anger .... HOWEVER ... when it does get angry LOOK OUT because it can become extremely furious !!!



Anatomically, Taurus rules the neck and the throat - there are a lot of Taurus born people that have beautiful speaking and singing voices, but their vulnerability is to colds, laryngitis, sore throats and thyroid problems ... Taurus is the sign directly opposite to Scorpio in the natural zodiac !!!

Taurus is ruled by the planet Venus - the Roman goddess of beauty and the arts, pleasure and the emotions ... Venus bestows an influence towards a love of luxury and exceptional creative ability ... it is NOT the planet of SEX for those of you who think otherwise!!! ... Venus rules the throat, chin, cheeks, and the sense of taste, art, culture, aesthetics, possessions, partners, beauty, charm, good taste, sentimentality, sweets and sugar, color, harmony, poetry, paintings, jewelry, singing, drama, and music ... it governs emotional contacts,  tenderness, moral character, marriage and unions of every kind as well as sociability, disposition, luxuries, pleasure and appreciation ... in your natal chart, the place where you find Venus shows what you really enjoy !!!



Taurus is the natural ruler of the 2nd house of the horoscope which is a house of substance with its keyword being "values" ... this house indicates financial affairs, possessions (excluding real estate), investments, earning  power, and any gain or loss through your own personal efforts ... it shows your inner talents and resources, your need for fulfillment, your emotional feelings, your sense of self-worth including your sense of values ... since there is a widespread belief that liberty is largely related to the money, the 2nd house is also the house of personal liberty ... it is also considered the house of material debt !!!



The Sun in Taurus teaches us to live through learning how to stabilize ... here we have the beauty (Venus) and the beast (the Bull) !!! ... the purpose of the Sun here is to help maintain the stability of earthly things ... one may find it surprising to realize that the important main possessions here are a sense of Earthly harmony and wholesomeness, and not necessarily a substantial amount of money and material possessions ... there is the distinct ability to endure change with this energy ... it is also interesting to note that when change has to be made and something must be let go of, when you let go and endure the change you ultimately discover how much more stable things actually become !!!



The greatest indication of values is beauty which is something that cannot be owned but only appreciated ... this energy likes stability, being attracted, natural things, time to think, and comfort and pleasure ... it does not like disruption, being pushed, being hurried and sensory deprivation ... the energy of the Sun in Taurus can be expressed in the following ways:


POSITIVE: earthy, sensuous/artistic, productive, practical provider, steadfast and stable, unruffled and calm, even-tempered, soothing, self-trusting, loyal, persevering, trustworthy, appreciative, admiring, affectionate, aesthetic, physically comforting, magnetically healing, attractive

NEGATIVE: materialistic, gross and extravagant, plodding and ponderous, sluggish and lazy, boneheaded, boring, self-satisfied, possessive, stubborn, bigoted/fanatical, self-gratifying, idolatrous, lecherous, aloof, unaware of the "unseen", sucker for good looks, easily attached



HAPPY SOLAR RETURN TAURUS BORN !!! ... you are beginning a new Solar year ... this is your time to "SHINE" while all of us try to incorporate your natural born energy into our daily lives and learn through experiencing it !!!



We are all now being challenged to try to discover our truest, deepest and highest values and then realize how well we can express them physically ... hopefully one will come to the realization during the next thirty days that the value of Earthly things is simply that they serve to keep bodies happy and  healthy ...



The Sun now joins Venus already grazing its way through Taurus ... the Sun remains in Taurus until May 20th !!!



So that hectic pace of  the Sun in Aries begins to diffuse and slows down to a point hopefully allowing our feet to be more firmly planted beneath us as we strive for security and stability in our lives especially now that Mercury has stationed back into direct motion !!!



Now let's all get out there and grab this crazy thing we call life by those proverbial Taurus horns - OLE !!!

MERCURY DIRECT !!!

MERCURY completed its first retrograde journey for 2018 and stationed  back into direct motion on Sunday, April 15th, at 5:21 AM EDT - do I hear a BIG SIGH OF RELIEF out there ??? ... and now time for moving on - sort of !!!



Hopefully, some of the disorientation, confusion, frustration and outright irritation along with the sudden and unexpected issues that may have been produced by this Mercury retrograde will now begin to clear and subside as it becomes time to move forward into the swing of things on all levels !!!

Over the next few days to the next few weeks or even months, there will undoubtedly be quite a few "a-ha" as well as "uh-oh" lights coming on in regard to decisions made or actions taken during the retrograde period from March 22nd through April 15th, and possibly as far back as March 8th when Mercury entered its shadow point - the point where it would come out of this retrograde journey on April 15th which was at 4 degrees 47  minutes ARIES  ... did issues and complications or questioning arise in regards to things done during the last retrograde period from December 2nd/3rd through December 22nd of 2017 ??? ... or maybe even as far back as the retrograde period from August 12th through September 5th, 2017 ??? ... and it's a sure bet that as Mercury moves forward once again crossing back over the degrees it covered during this retrograde period issues may begin to arise potentially sooner than later !!!



Mercury retrograde periods, even though annoying and extremely frustrating at times, are actually a very beneficial thing, especially for those who were strong and fearless enough to dig deep down, as we need to validate, or in some cases invalidate, actions and situations gone awry and deal with them in order to finally release them to produce a calmer, positive and more productive state of mind thus allowing us to move forward to bring about greater personal and spiritual growth !!! 

If you've had a natal chart done, you should look to see in which house or houses 16 degrees 54 minutes ARIES back to 4 degrees 47 minutes ARIES falls - what kinds of issues did you have to  deal with in the areas of life governed by those houses ??? ... how many of you went with the flow and how many of you tried to swim upstream in the raging current of Cosmic confusion ???

Of course the recurring question we may find ourselves asking now that Mercury is back in direct motion is "WHY" ??????? ...What actions did you take yourself or have taken against you that you or the other person may now be regretting. or you may be simply wondering why you chose to do what you did or why you were the victim of a particular course of action from other(s), and why didn't you or the other person wait a little longer ...  or perhaps you are simply now trying to figure out why it even happened ???



Relationships may have come to an end - some needed to be released and others may have jumped the gun and you are now wondering, or will be, why did I do that or end things during this period ...  how many of you had relationship issues surface or resurface - extremely likely in a Mercury retrograde - that you thought surely had been resolved or didn't even realize existed ???  ... or how many of you had one or more people come back through your life that you thought you had seen the last of or even forgot about and now most of them are gone or going once again ???  ... and how many of you began new actions within a relationship, personal or professional without waiting for the retrograde period to conclude ??? ... AND ... how many of you got married - OOPSIE  ???



Did anyone make any major purchases - homes, cars, electronics - that now don't seem like the best thought out course of action or that you are beginning to regret or will do so in the days ahead ??? ... there could be problems regarding any purchases made especially with anything where electrical energy and/or computers were involved ... all of these scenarios are possible as the energy of a Mercury retrograde is one where communications and mental energy is going "backwards" ... so now that the mental processing facilities are no longer going backwards - at least for most of us - in regard  to Mercury and its functions, it's time to finally RELEASE these emotional holds and allow ourselves to move forward with our lives ... let go of what is best left in the past so you can achieve greater personal and spiritual growth !!!

Mercury retrograding in Aries certainly may have given rise to issues concerning making new starts ... this was NOT the time to make vast sweeping changes - which one should never really do in a personal planet - Mercury, Venus, Mars - retrograde period anyway ... rather one should have kept an eye open for possibilities that could prove more satisfying once the energy returned back to direct motion on 4/15 !!! 



Aries is the natural ruler of the 1st house, a house of self and identity, of the horoscope so there might have been issues regarding your personality, natural disposition, your individuality, the way you express yourself, the way you want others to see you, the way others actually see you, the way in which you package and market yourself, your physical body, your health, issues from early childhood years not dealt with, your approach to life, your worldly outlook, your appearance, as well as the beginnings of all new enterprises !!!



Since Aries is ruled by Mars, there could also have been issues in regards to your assertiveness, competitiveness, surgery and operations, accidents, inflammations, cuts, burns, violence and anger management issues !!!



In regards to overall health, remember Mercury is the natural planetary ruler of the 6th house which rules health, so there was more potential to have health issues, or recurring issues, in general the Mercury retrograde ... and there was the potential for health issues in the area of the head which is the anatomical area of the body Aries rules !!!




A Mercury retrograde period is usually not a good time to have surgery as the healing process could be slowed down or there could be the chance of complications resulting in 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 !!! ... so did anyone have elective surgery that could have been delayed for a time when the universal energy better supported it ???



Gemini and Virgo born since Mercury is your natural ruling planet, did you "try" and slow down for personal review and rethinking - especially in regards as to what has transpired in your lives since Mercury last resumed direct motion back on December 22nd, 2017 ??? ... what have you learned about yourself in regards to where you are going and whether or not you are proceeding wisely in order to become more successful ??? ... what did you discover that MUST be changed - in fact what did anyone discover that MUST be changed so you are not left stagnant and hanging in limbo ???

Mercury now moves forward to complete its entire transit through the sign of Aries which initially began back on March 6th ... Mercury will conclude its transit through Aries on May 13th !!!



And now a reminder of what the energy of Mercury in Aries is all about for those that need a "re-fresher" course now that Mercury has resumed direct motion :

While Mercury transits the sign of Aries, and with Aries being a Fire sign, energy and action will be expressed either in an inspiring, creative, independent, or impulsive, aggressive, confrontational manner - thus we can end up being extremely constructive or extremely destructive depending on how we harness this energy ... Mercury in Aries means it is now in a dynamic relationship with Mars - the ruler of Aries - and the Mercurial energy is being pushed into overdrive ... but just how far into overdrive it is pushed remains the question ... nevertheless the mind will be frequently on overload as well as our actions too ... we may find ourselves moving too quickly and causing mishaps or accidents - especially behind the wheel where we will no doubt be using even more hand gestures than usual !!!

We will most likely come up with what we determine to be "scathingly brilliant" ideas but not all will be driven to fruition after they lose their initial novelty ... a lot of us will constantly be the victim of "foot-in-mouth" disease as we will have the tendency to speak before we think since the mind is processing so much so fast ... we may also experience sleepless nights or have difficulty going to sleep as we find that when our head hits the pillow the mind is still racing .... we will certainly have to be on guard about starting arguments and trying to stir up controversy simply because we feel like our words are the ultimate authority ...

With the mind and the tongue working rather quickly here, there is definitely a talent for debate and/or using words that are biting, ironic, and sarcastic ... communication will be made directly, forcefully and with confidence ... new ideas are always being sought here as it becomes necessary to be active in order to learn - even if the lessons end up being harder than we anticipated ... under this energy one is usually interested in courage, self-reliance, freedom and self-expression ...

Mercury in Aries teaches us to learn to think through doing ... this energy truly expresses the well known phrase that actions speak louder than words !!! ... just as fresh new ideas and experiences are sought out, there is the tendency at times to dwell on old grievances as well as on outworn interests ... if there is a failure to sustain enough mental input or assertion of ones intellectual outlook, there is the risk of nervous and/or physical restlessness that can develop into more serious mental or emotional conditions accompanied by matching circumstances ... slow down to clarify your objectives and then have the faith that you'll rise to the occasion ... make sure your force has a worthy cause attached to it ... realize that the tongue is indeed a sensitive muscle - so learn to "hold it", by learning to "bite" it gracefully, and appreciate what it is attached to !!! ... the energy of Mercury in Aries can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: quick-thinking, spontaneous, quick-acting, decisive, mentally forceful, stimulating, fighting spirit, fiery, frank, witty, to the point, observant, initiates ideas, thinks on ones feet, mentally active and agile, eloquent, verbally assertive, intellectually confident

NEGATIVE: impatient, irritable, quick-tempered, premature, headstrong, quarrelsome, spitting, thoughtless, sarcastic, terse, precocious, snap opinionated, snap decisions, verbally/mentally restless, one-sided viewpoint, intellectually arrogant



Aries born individuals, you may become infused with an overabundance of ideas and plans in addition to speaking out more so than usual - but indeed we all may do so even if we aren't Aries born - proceed with caution !!!

As for this Mercury transit though Aries, one might be well advised to keep a lot of ice cream or something cool and soothing on hand as we are sure to have a sore tongue from having to bite it so often, well at least those who are wise enough to do so, to keep from allowing our hasty words to cause too much uproar, misunderstandings and unnecessary verbal confrontations which yields the well known caveat - "LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS" !!!

Mercury will exit its retrograde zone on May 3rd  when it reaches 16 degrees 54 minutes Aries, the point where it began this first retrograde journey for 2018 back on March 22nd ... Mercury remains in  direct motion until July 25th/26th when it begins its second retrograde journey for 2018 at 23 degrees 27 minutes LEO !!!



Now that everyone has had a taste of the first personal planet retrograde for 2018 and probably witnessed the potential disruption it can cause, I will shortly be re-posting my blog from March 21st concerning what I call the "personal planet retrograde flip flop" sequence that is now underway ... many of you may have missed it or just ignored it, un-huh, but perhaps now you see why it's always a good idea to be prepared for what the Universe is about to bestow upon you !!!

JUST A "TOUCH" OF LOVE ???

VENUS  - the planet representing attraction, love, affection, beauty, happiness, value and values, how we relate, and social or artistic expression - began its transit through the earthy, stable sign of Taurus, Saturday, March 31st, at 12:54 AM EDT ... Venus is very comfortable and at home therefore functioning very well here ... it is considered to be in "dignity" in Taurus - this is one of the two signs of the zodiac it naturally rules - the other being Libra of course ... Venus was last in Taurus from June 6th through July 4th, 2017 - anything come to mind from that period regarding love, money, and partnerships/relationships either private or public ???

Venus in Taurus enjoys physical gratification - including food, drink, possessions, finances, and sensual indulgences - often to the point of becoming overly indulgent !!! ... it deeply enjoys sensations, appreciates nature, and truly savors the five senses more so than usual - especially TOUCH !!! ... this energy is often relaxed and easygoing in relating to people and it appreciates loyalty and stability ... affection is expressed physically and steadily - sometimes to the point of being too possessive ... the drive for pleasure is very strong and could easily make one excessively self-indulgent ... the handling of money and possessions is usually done sensibly, but there could be the tendency to overvalue comfort, luxury and/or attractive physical objects ... there is a desire for comfort in love relationships and one responds to sensual energy from other people ... an appreciation of beauty and artistic talents can lead to personal satisfaction and success !!!



Whatever this energy loves it will love completely and totally ... it believes relationships can last forever ... but sometimes the relationships last longer than they should ... the saying that old habits die hard is especially true with Venus in Taurus ... and this energy continues to think about all the time what it has "invested" in its object of desire !!! .. this is a steadfast love ... it also is prone to the love of good food so gaining weight could prove a challenge under this energy - over the lips forever on the hips ???

Venus in Taurus teaches us all about loving through stabilizing ... it's Nature's connoisseur ... there is a pronounced need to show physical affection in order to feel loved - mere words will NOT suffice ... the secret here to obtaining the object of your desires and maintaining a stable relationship is to understand that anything or anyone outside of yourself can only become a part of your life when your value and values are a reflection and in harmony with Nature itself ... this is one of the very strongest Planet-Sign combinations that indicates a genuine love of Nature ... the ultimate truth here is that what you love and care about is only as solid and secure as how you feel inside ... the energy of Venus in Taurus can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: attractive, earthy, affectionate, artistic, aesthetic, peaceful, sensuous, satisfying, steadfast, loyal, wholesome, constant, sympathetic, encouraging, comforting, pleasure-giving, nature-loving, deeply trusting, sound values, conservational

NEGATIVE: greedy, materialistic, self-indulgent, overly sensual, self-satisfied, stubborn, possessive, smug, too abiding, misguiding, dissipating, insatiable, limited viewpoint, gullible, weight-gainer, jealous, insecure

Taurus born individuals, this is your time to reflect your inner beauty outwardly and ask for what you want - you just might get it if it is what you truly desire ... for the rest of us, we can now see what it might be like to be born with Venus in Taurus, as well as getting a glimpse into how Taurus born individuals may operate in their quest for love and defining where their true values lie !!!

Venus is currently the only planet transiting through the sign of Taurus, but the Sun will join the love fest on April 19th !!! ... Venus remains in Taurus until April 24th !!!



Just a reminder, Venus will take its nest retrograde journey this year from October 5th through November 16th going from 10 degrees 50 minutes Scorpio back to 25 degrees 14 minutes Libra ... Venus enters its next shadow point on September 2nd !!!

For now, we must come to understand that which makes us feel loved is our own persistent faith in our individual love nature ... and by the end of this transit we all will hopefully have been able to feel - just a "touch" of love !!!