THE NATURE OF OUR DESIRES - TESTED AND TRANSFORMED !!!

Saturn – planet symbolizing the lessons we have to learn in life; what we fear; force of circumstances through which we are driven to find the discipline, effort and sense of order to overcome limitations and obstacles; the taskmaster and teacher – began its transit through the motivated, determined sign of Scorpio yesterday, October 5th, at 4:33 PM EDT … this Saturn energy is extremely purposeful and indeed its lessons here will have the potential to lead to great transformation and change … Saturn and Pluto, the ruler of Scorpio, actually get along very well together … and since Pluto is currently in Capricorn, which is ruled by Saturn, and with Saturn now in the sign ruled by Pluto, they are considered to be in mutual reception … in mutual reception they are visiting each others homes and this can make a very positive position for both to be in … each one strengthens the power of the other and work in cooperation with each other … So does this make this transit more challenging or more rewarding ??? … maybe both … only time will tell and it will certainly depend on what is going on in your life !!!

Saturn is very powerful in the secretive and passionate sign of Scorpio … it enables one to understand human motivation ultimately enabling one to control others which can be either a very good thing or a very challenging thing … the dominant strength this energy gives is often masked by a pleasant and congenial exterior … however Saturn here will place obstacles in our paths frequently in the form of emotional difficulties and sometimes even scandal … achieving power under this energy can lead to downfall due to rumors and gossip … this is an excellent position for executive ability and unwavering commitment to a particular goal … there is very little patience here with laziness and unwillingness to work …

Saturn in Scorpio will truly test our desire nature … it will most certainly bring to light that which is hidden even if we don’t want it to be revealed … there could be challenges, limitations and obstacles in regards to the masses, crime, phobias, obsessions, slow growth, birth and death, coercion, generation, regeneration, and degeneration, things which have been developed secretly and undercover, plumbing, dictatorships, unpopular causes – all areas ruled by Pluto …

Other challenges, restrictions and testing could include joint financial ventures; the support one receives from other people which includes financial, moral, spiritual and physical; legacies; trusts; wills; taxes; insurance matters; intimacy and sexual matters; spiritual and physical regeneration; psychological rebirth; death – not necessarily ones own; occult matters; sleep; deep level research; investigation and hidden assets including the assets of partners and alimony; and surgery - all matters represented by the 8th house which is the house Scorpio naturally rules … health wise, there could be issues with arthritis and gall stones … there also exists the possibility that skin conditions could develop and erupt from not letting deep personal issues be known and dealt with …

The main lesson Saturn in Scorpio presents is testing us through our desire nature … do we use or abuse it … we will be taught how to effectively express any kind of personal power be it sexual, financial, political, etc. … the challenge is to overcome the tendency to agonize about which course of action we should take in order to avoid our energies being misdirected … this can be either a very rewarding transit for Saturn because it and the sign of Scorpio like to have a sense of control, or it can turn into a disastrous misuse of power that ends up hurting or destroying things and other people through ruthless scheming ... the greatest achievements will be made when we are able to acknowledge and indentify our personal convictions and positively act upon them …

Saturn in Scorpio likes highly organized power, an intense commitment, knowing secrets, explicit intimacy and strong characters … it does NOT like to lose control and not knowing … positive transformation will result when we are able to gain honest awareness of our failings as well as others and correct the situation … the energy of Saturn in Scorpio can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: having a purpose, persistency, being disciplined, sexually self-assured, sexually aware, iron-willed, serious, capable, resourceful, insightful

NEGATIVE: ruthlessly ambitious, an opportunist, obstinate, overly rigid, sexually controlling and/or controlled, jealous, twisted, slave-driver, impatient with the weaknesses of others, constipated, skeptical, self-burdening

Scorpio born, the Universe has placed you on a huge learning curve for the next two and a half years giving you the opportunity to learn and achieve positive personal and spiritual growth even though at times it might not be easy … my fellow Capricorns, our planetary ruler has moved into a new sign and is now ready to teach us another set of lessons that will do the same for us if we release fear and allow change to take place … but we all will experience challenge, change and hopefully beneficial growth somewhere in our lives through this transit … if you’ve had a natal chart done, you will probably get a good idea where Saturn transiting through Scorpio is going to “school” you !!!

Saturn now joins Mars, but for not much longer, and Mercury in Scorpio with the Sun soon to follow, and remains in Scorpio until September 17th/18th 2015 … it will actually enter into Sagittarius on December 23rd, 2014, but due to retrograde motion will return to the late degrees of Scorpio on June 14th/15th 2015 for one final pass before ending its transit of Scorpio …

One final thought on Saturn in LIbra ... even though it has left the sign of Libra, anyone having a birthday this year from January 1st up until October 5th, and possibly today October 6th, will still have the energy of Saturn in Libra to work with per your Solar Return - birthday - chart for the year ahead ... you'll get to Saturnian energies to deal with !!!

I feel it necessary, as a Capricorn born who will be ruled lifelong by Saturn, to explain, especially from personal experience, that the transits of Saturn aren’t always a bad thing that should be dreaded … while its actions can be difficult and challenging, Saturn’s main objective is to help us grow and become a better person by taking a deep, serious and honest look at where we are and where we should be going by making sure our foundations in life are strong and solid !!!

THE UNIVERSAL SHERLOCK HOLMES !!!

Mercury began its transit through the dark, brooding sign of Scorpio today, 10/05 at 6:35 AM EDT .... Mercury in Scorpio is intense, probing and filled with boundless determination ... this is the placement of the natural born detective always wanting to get to the bottom of things and ferret out information and hidden motives ... it loves tuning into underlying messages ... communication is usually done very passionately and intensely ... a lot of messages are delivered nonverbally ... intimate bonds are frequently formed through ones communications ... superficiality is not tolerated ... what is spoken emanates from the depth of ones psyche ... one often thinks about secrecy and silence and sometimes withholds information on purpose ... though the mind is usually thorough and organized, it can be easily swayed by powerful emotions and obsessions ... one seeks the underlying root causes here and is usually unyielding in their quest for information ... detective work might appeal to one here along with anything that looks beneath the surface such as psychotherapy, archeology and, of course, the occult ...

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

The essence of Mercury in Scorpio is thinking through desiring ... it is the sleuth of the zodiac ... what you desire and what you fear are tightly entangled in your mind ... this mind sees through people and situations ... this mentality rarely misses anything ... a caveat here would be not to fall into the trap of being suspicious of malice of intent when it does not exist ... sometimes this energy can create intrigue just to keep the mind on its toes ... this mind is basically sharp and efficient knowing that there is always something that needs looking into thus constantly exercising the mental muscle ... the sign of real mental power and superiority here is learning when to leave well enough alone which is usually understood here ... insight is sharpened with the ability to watch and wait silently which this energy bestows ... others can often benefit greatly from the penetrating insight found here ... one is happiest here when not overcome by personal fears and phobias as they end up clouding ones judgement ... this energy likes brain-teasers, mental control and intrigues ... it dislikes mental inactivity, weak-mindedness, lack of subtlety and mincing words ... the energy of Mercury of Scorpio can be expressed in the following ways:

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

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

Mercury now joins Mars, but for only one day, in the sign of Scorpio with the Saturn joining the dark, "wicked" party next week followed by the Sun in 17 days - just in time for Halloween !!! ... One should use the energy of this mental ability to leave no stone unturned through boundless determination in order to find what they are really after which ultimately is - onesself ...

 

Mercury remains in the sign of Scorpio until - WAIT FOR IT ... WAIT FOR IT !!! - December 10th and you KNOW why ... it's last RETROGRADE journey for 2012 begins just as it slips into Sagittarius where it won't get far before beginning its backward trek !!! ... and interestingly enough Venus is now in Virgo, which Mercury rules, and with Saturn very soon entering Scorpio, you can bet the process of probing and digging for answers regarding partnerships and relationships - especially since Saturn if finally completing its journey through Libra and left us with many questions and turned upside down in some cases - is likely to be very deep and complex !!! ... so for now, it is an excellent time for a good mystery and for each one of us to take a crack at being a super sleuth !!!

HAVE OUR ACTIONS EXCEEDED POSITIVE LIMITS ???

Jupiter, the planet known as the Great Benefic, and the planet which symbolizes growth, the law, beliefs, ethics, expansion, opportunity, wealth, faith, higher education, travel - long distance, religion, philosophy, joy, goodwill and sometimes excessiveness, began its retrograde journey for this year today, October 4th, at 9:18 AM EDT ... transiting planetary retrogrades are often referred to as global wake-up calls ... usually right before a Jupiter retrograde it will be discovered or become apparent that society, organizations and individuals will have "gone too far" in their desires to expand and grow ... often the actions will have exceeded positive limits which necessitates a time for stepping back ...

Jupiter retrograde is a period for everyone to grow internally and prepare themselves for new opportunities that arise when Jupiter stations back into direct motion ... it is very important during this period to look within and develop a better understanding and awareness which hopefully will enable each one of us to figure out if what is being offered to us is what we really want and/or need ...

People born with Jupiter retrograde in their natal chart usually find that society's religions, beliefs, philosophies, and cultural values are not compatible with their own values ... they have to step back from the "norms" and rethink these things on their own in order to develop their own individual "operating systems" ... needless to say, during a transiting Jupiter retrograde, we may all experience this and those born with Jupiter retrograde may experience an enhanced desire to pursue their natal energy in regard to this area of our lives ... as Jupiter goes retrograde roughly every 9 months for a period of about 4 months, there are obviously a lot of people, like yours truly, born with Jupiter retrograde in their natal chart !!!

Jupiter, currently transiting through the sign of Gemini, is all about growth through communicating and learning … but in this quest, we may end up acquiring an overabundance of varied and helpful information to the point where we lose sight of one important factor - what is it that we are trying to attract and bring into our lives and why are we seeking so many varied distractions ??? ... so now its time to slow down and reflect inwardly to make sure we haven't become like a tree with many broad, shallow roots putting us in danger of being easily uprooted !!! ... now we start processing all that we have been studying and been introduced to in order to figure out what is worth pursuing and what may have only been a temporary distraction ... it's now time to start filtering through all of those scathingly brilliant ideas we have come up with since Jupiter entered Gemini on June 11th, and make decisions as to which ones will help bring us more positive personal and spiritual growth ...

Sagittarian born individuals, as Jupiter is the ruling planet of your Sun sign, this is your yearly period of review and reflection ... it is time to step back and reflect on what has been going on in your life since Jupiter last turned direct on December 25th, 2011 ... where have you possibly over-expanded, and what opportunities for growth and expansion have come your way that you either took advantage of or might well have overlooked or even ignored ???

Jupiter remains retrograde until January 30th, 2013 entirely in the sign of Gemini ... for everyone, if you've had a natal chart done, look at where 16 degrees back down to 6 degrees of Gemini falls and you may get an idea where this review and rethinking process may take place in your life ... everyone should take a good look at where you have possibly over-expanded, physically or otherwise, gone too far too fast, and keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities for growth and expansion that might come your way ... take advantage of them when Jupiter resumes its forward motion - be careful not to overlook what could ultimately be that once in a lifetime chance !!!

A SPOTLESS REPUTATION, GOOD MANNERS & SEXUAL HYGENE !!!

Venus began its transit through the picky and detailed oriented sign of Virgo today, 10/3, at 2:59 AM EDT ... this is a highly discerning type of love ... Venus in Virgo enjoys competence, precision, and doing things the way they should be done - correctly !!! ... it is exacting, discriminating and/or critical when relating to other people ... affection is usually expressed in a manner of doing things for people or serving them in some way ... it is also expressed modestly and/or timidly ... pleasure is achieved by functioning efficiently and being helpful especially in repairing things, situations or people ... this Venus enjoys analysis, precision and organizing details ... logic and common sense makes this Venus very comfortable ... the handling of money and possessions is usually practical and thrifty ... there is a desire for common sense and for a willingness to work in love relationships ... this Venus can be more sincerely affectionate than any other sign, can manifest a very strong business sense, and knows exactly what is does and does not want !!! ... it often has a tendency to get so involved in details it becomes rather critical and demanding ...

The essence of this Venusian energy in Virgo is determining what it is we truly love through detailed analysis ... ultimately one discovers that eventually you must surrender to the mystery of love and art - or objects thereof - and no longer analyze ... this energy can acquire a finely tuned sense of social, emotional, and artistic values ... one must also learn to be discriminating about being discriminating ... one must resist the temptation to tamper with what is already simply attractive ... this Venus likes a spotless reputation, good manners, sexual hygiene, and pure or natural art ... it doesn't like relationships that have no mental stimulus ... the energy of Venus in Virgo can be expressed in the following ways :

POSITIVE: knowing what you like, discriminating, fine sense of aesthetics and design, artistic, sincerely affectionate, simple and clear, quietly charming, strong character, impartially kind, coolly
helpful, precision worker, specialist worker, painstaking, pure and modest lover, high moral sense, socially discerning, privately sensuous

NEGATIVE : critical of partners, fussy and nagging, easily dissatisfied, artistically neurotic, inhibits affection, undemonstrative, dry, socially stiff, hides sensitivity, emotionally absent, cold exterior, too exacting, retreats into work, indecisive, restrained, feeling sexually inferior, puritanical, social misfit, self-effacin

Venus is the natural ruling planet of Libra, and as such, love, partnerships/relationships, personal values and how we earn and spend our money, our dedication to our daily work and service, health and nutritional habits as well as some family issues will be thoroughly examined under the cosmic microscope while Venus is in the precision, detail oriented sign of Virgo ... meanwhile, concentrate on what pleases others and not what displeases ... emotional expressions of how you feel are much better than no expression at all .... Venus remains in the sign of Virgo until October 28th ... and how appropriate this highly discerning type of love should be put in place as Saturn completes its journey this week through Libra - which is ruled by Venus - where we must make decisions about partnerships and relationships one way or the other ... Virgo born, don't forget the "love light" is shining on you for the next few weeks so play it right and you might just get what you want ... for all of us it would be very wise not to make the object of your affections become the "target" of your affections ???

IMPROVING OUR LIVES THROUGH POSITIVE RELATING !!!

The Sun began its transit through the charming, social but sometimes indecisive sign of Libra today September 22nd at 10:49 AM EDT ... also known as the Autumnal Equinox - equal day and equal night - Summer 2012 is officially OVER - onward to colder weather - YEAH !!! ... ok, I hear a few BOOS out there !!! ... the Sun in Libra must shine through cooperation, diplomacy, competition- one on one, and through aesthetic channels ... Libra is all about bringing things into balance and sometimes the desire to do so can create a situation where one continually bounces back and forth trying to come to a decision ... Libra is the 7th sign of the natural zodiac ... it is a masculine, mutable (flexible/changeable), air sign ... its key phrase is "I balance" and its keyword is "Harmony" ... Libra is active, artistic, easygoing, peaceable, admires beauty and harmony, diplomatic, polished and extremely socially inclined ... its symbol is the scales which signifies balance, equilibrium, order and justice ... it is the sign opposite of Aries in the horoscope ... anatomically, Libra rules the lower back and the buttocks, and the kidneys ... natural born Librans are often subject to lower back strain and problems in the lumbar region as well as being subjected to kidney infections ...

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

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

The essence of the Sun in Libra is all about living through relating ... restoring balance or at least trying to do so ... it likes pleasant surroundings, peace and justice, a partner/companion, being gentle and kind, and anything artistic ... it is important to realize under this energy that areas where there is conflict, disharmony or injustice is where the art of Libra energy is greatly needed and ultimately appreciated ... the energy of the Sun in Libra can be expressed in the following ways:

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

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

One of the key roles of Libra is to engage in social activities that blend the rough with the smooth ... one must learn that sensitivity requires both spiritual strength as well as awareness ... ones outward poise will remain intact as long as one learns to be subordinate to ones inner sense of values ... the Sun now joins Mercury and Saturn in the sign of Libra ... and how appropriate that the Sun (representing the ego, the life force, the will) and Mercury (representing thinking, communicating and the capacity to learn) should accompany Saturn as it completes its journey through the sign of Libra which began in October 2009 ... perhaps many of us will be able to understand what the "lesson" has been about and then incorporate it positively in our lives promoting greater personal and spiritual growth !!! ... the Sun will remain in the sign of Libra until October 22nd ... and for now, take the lyrical advice of Stephen Stills and ... love the one(s) you're with !!!!!!

SHAKE ... RATTLE ... ROLL - TRANSFORM & CHANGE !!!

Pluto - associated with death, rebirth, transformation, change, upheavel. healing and renewal -completed its retrograde journey for 2012 today, September 18th at 1:05 AM EDT ... Pluto has been in retrograde motion since April 10th and there undoubtedly has  been a lot of reexamination on many levels of changes both we as individuals and as a society have been involved in ... now that Pluto has stationed back into direct motion things will start to surface that we may have been seeking information about ... secrets will surely begin to be exposed and those involved will most likely be brought into public awareness whether or not it is their desire!!! ... during the retrograde period we have all been trying to understand how we individually impact the Earth and other people as well ... Pluto is still currently in its early transit through the sign of Capricorn - turning direct today at 6 degrees of Capricorn, so there is definitely going to be issues arising concerning big business, the economy and governmental policy changes that affect everyone ... Pluto tends to expose the "dark side" of things and bring it into the light even when it is not what some would like ... we are currently witnessing what could be referred to as the shakedown of governmental lawbreakers ... also people are empowering themselves to make authority serve the true needs of the people and the planet as well ... and ironically Uranus made its second square in its 4 year dance with Pluto but this time the players are in different roles - Pluto is direct and Uranus is retrograde thie time around so it will be interesting to see how the dynamics of this energy play out with the rolse reversed !!! ... between this year and 2015 there will be 7 exact squares between these two movers and shakers so you can bet  THERE WILL BE CHANGE !!! ... interesting to note, these two will both be going in direct motion ONLY once which will occur the last time they square each other on March 17th, 2015 !!! ... this may be the point where the most potent effects of the energy may be felt ...
 

There are two groups of people that are most likely feeling the effects of this powerful shift even though we all will on some level in our lives ... Scorpio born individuals, this is your ruling planet so now it's time to come out of your period of review and reflection which began around April 10th and start implementing changes or be prepared for change and transformation .... my fellow Capricorn individuals, this energy is making an added impact for us as well since Pluto is moving through our birth sign and will not complete its transit through our sign until 2024 due to its lengthy retrograde journeys and slow movement - after all it takes about 248 years to complete one journey around the Sun !!!!

Pluto remains in direct motion until April 12th of 2013 ... So be prepared for transformation, change, upheaval, tearing down and rebirth in your lives - understanding that change and renewal are necessary for personal as well as spiritual growth - but more importantly always be prepared to expect the unexpected ... and now that Pluto has completed its retrograde journey things may truly begin to shake, rattle and roll - TRANSFORM & CHANGE !!!

SPEAK KINDLY AND THINK GOOD THOUGHTS !!!

Mercury begins its transit through the sign of Libra today, September 16th, at 7:22 PM EDT ... harsh words and intimidating comments are seldom or hesitatingly spoken while Mercury moves through this sign - after all, Libra is ruled by Venus which tends to soften and sweeten things while adding charm ... Mercury in Libra produces a mindset that is usually concerned with human relations and psychology and produces a mindset towards balance where both sides of the issue are considered ... it gives an intense curiosity about the thinking and behavior patterns of others - it is very focused on one particular aspect of the mental and emotional plane which is one-to-one relationships ... good communications and happiness in relationships are essential here ... there is a strong sense of justice which tends to make one very honest in their communications ... communications are generally made in a diplomatic, elegant and balanced manner ... feedback from others is a must in order to clarify your opinions ... mentally striving to support your heartfelt principles is often what inspires others with this energy ...

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

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

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

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

Mercury will now join Saturn already in Libra ... and it would seem appropriate that the Universe would place these two together as Saturn concludes its journey through Libra not to return for about 29 years !!!! ... Perhaps this is the Universe letting us know it is time to seriously think about what Saturn has been trying to teach us concerning partnerships and relationships since the end of October of 2009 !!! ... Mercury remains in the sign of Libra until October 5th - ironically the same day Saturn begins its journey through the sign of Scorpio as well ... this is the next to the last full sign transit of Mercury before it takes its final retrograde journey for 2012 in November  ... Libra born individuals now have a lot to think about during this transit and of course will most likely be shraing it with us in their charming, endearing manner they are usually born with - unless of course the birthchart indicates otherwise ... for all of us, this becomes a period of time when we have the ability to learn to speak more graciously and gently through our communications -

SPEAK KINDLY AND THINK GOOD THOUGHTS !!!