HIGHLY EMOTIONALLY DRIVEN, INTENSE, DEMANDING, FORCEFUL, AND ABSOLUTELY UNFLINCHING IN RELATING - CAREFUL NOT TO LET IT GET OUT OF CONTROL !!!! !!!

VENUS began its lusty, sensual transit through the penetrating and sexually charged sign of Scorpio yesterday, October 22nd, at 10:36 PM EDT ... Venus was last in Scorpio from December 4th through December 29th, 2023 ... this intense Venusian energy comes complete with a universal "whip" so to speak, but will it be for pleasure or pain ... or both for those of you who are adventurous ???

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




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




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




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

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




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



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



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




Venus is currently the only planet in transit through Scorpio and given the intense energy this transit can produce that may well be just enough for now !!! ... Venus remains in Scorpio until October 17th !!!

Once again, heads up for anyone planning a "special" occasion during 2025 and likes to be in the know in order to plan ahead wisely and carefully... Venus takes its next retrograde journey from March 1st through April 12th, 2025 ... it will be a dual sign retrograde going from 10 degrees 50 minutes Aries back to 24 degrees 37 minutes Pisces ... Venus will enter its next shadow point on January 28th !!!




Scorpio born, the universal love "light" now shines on you, at least for the next 26 days even though some of you may feel very passionately it does year round ... go after, which you usually do anyway, and ask for what you want as you just might get it - especially with no personal planets retrograde !!!




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

TRYING TO BRING THINGS INTO BALANCE BUT SOMETIMES ACCIDENTALLY CAUSING INDECISION AND FRUSTRATION !!!

The SUN begins its transit through the charming, social but sometimes indecisive sign of Libra today, September 22nd, at 8:44 AM EDT   ... also known as the Autumnal Equinox - equal day and equal night - Summer 2024 is officially OVER - even though "global warming" may make it seem at times like it never really left !!! - at least in the Northern hemisphere (Spring or Vernal Equinox in the Southern hemisphere) - onward to colder weather ... maybe - YEAH !!! ... OK, do I hear a few BOOS out there ??? 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

The Sun now joins Venus, currently in transit through Libra but for only roughly 10 hours after the Sun enters Libra at which point Venus will make its ingress into Scorpio - LOOKOUT !!! ... The Sun remains in Libra until October 22nd  ... now would be an excellent time to make use of bringing ones partnerships/relationships both public and private into balance and harmony by making sure their foundations are solid !!!




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

BACK TO "CROSSING EVERY T AND DOTTING EVERY I" - DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS !!!

 

MERCURY, which originally entered the sign of Virgo on July 25th, finally, after its most recent retrograde period, ended its extended transit through Leo and reentered to make its complete transit through the highly focused sign of Virgo today, September 9th, at 2:50 AM EDT ... below is a reminder of what this energy is all about should the most recent Mercury retrograde period from August 5th through August 28th have left you a little foggy !!!   

Thinking and communicating processes now shift from what was a fiery, highly creative energy to being more rational and efficient sometimes to a fault  ... and even though Virgo is an Earth sign which is somewhat prone to slower movement,  Mercury is dignified in this position, very happy and very much at home here and functions well as this is one of the two signs it naturally rules - the other being Gemini ... Mercury was last in Virgo from July 28th through October 4th, 2023 ... a longer than normal transit due to a retrograde period and that was the case again this time around as well !!!

Mercury in Virgo usually gives the mind a rather precise, thorough and analytical ability ... communications and thinking can be logical, helpful, critical, negative, skeptical, practical or humble ... one is apt to put their mind to work doing their job ... this intellect is excellent for writing or technical crafts, and converting ideas into a tangible form ... there is a talent for organization, but sometimes the discriminating and highly focused mind could get mired in too many details and become excessively critical ... one of the challenges of this energy is to learn to step back and look at the bigger picture in addition to avoid getting immersed in all the fine details ... learning is best achieved in an organized sequence and a logical presentation !!!

Concern for details can often lead to the syndrome of "not being able to see the forest for the trees" ... there is also likely to be an interest in health, nutrition, competence and ones day to day work ... this Mercury says exactly what it wants to say - no more no less ... to quote a familiar television phrase,  this energy wants to know "Just the facts Ma'am" !!! ... it has a quick, dry wit, bestows a fine eye for detail, and usually produces very neat and readable handwriting ... this energy can also make one very skilled with their hands and often craftspeople are born with this energy in their natal chart !!!

Mercury in Virgo is very impartial and gets to sorting through all the details to where the logic and precision can discover the heart of the matter ... with this fine intelligence, systematically clarifying and refining information received and understanding the patterns comes naturally ... here we have a logical, practical mind that produces a quick learner ... on the challenging side, Mercury in Virgo can make ones mind so very active with all the extraneous processing that it is sometimes difficult to quiet and still the mind yielding restlessness and/or the inability to sleep ... just ask someone born with Mercury in Virgo !!!

Mercury in Virgo encourages us to learn to think by analyzing ... it's the pure mind ... the ability to reason functions very well here ... a big challenge though is to not live totally in your mind and understand there is a big difference between knowledge and actual experience ... this energy also can help one assist others in seeing things more clearly - in forms such as writing, editing, counseling, teaching, drawing and translating ... there is the ability to assimilate vast amounts of complex information !!!

Ironically, when it comes to expressing something close to ones heart, this energy can make one obscure it in a lot of irrelevant references ... this energy makes it necessary to thoroughly grasp a specific subject as without training or education one is more likely to suffer greater than others from being unemployed, underemployed or unemployable ... the ultimate goal with this energy is to appreciate that what gets in the way of understanding life is thinking way too much about it - a totally clear mind is really no mind at all !!!! .... the energy of Mercury in Virgo can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: analytical, objective, systematic, logical, discerning, precise, meticulous, clever, eloquent, well-read, well-informed, accurate, retentive memory, fast learner, highly efficient, good worker, modest, helpful, practical

NEGATIVE: unfeeling, remote, clinical, cold and dry, hypercritical, trivial, worrisome, wordy, bookish, intellectual snob, misses the point, greedy mind, impatient, high strung, workaholic, self-critical, skeptical, slave to reasoning, pointless

With Mercury in Virgo, we should remember that the point we are trying to communicate should be remembered, researched, rehearsed and then expressed ... make the best of what you actually know ... what's the use of knowing everything and feeling nothing ???

Mercury now joins the Sun currently transiting through the sign of Virgo !!! ... Mercury remains in Virgo until September 26th ...  Mercury will exit its retrograde zone on September 11th !!!

The thrust of Mercury's mission in Virgo boils down to encouraging us to analyze and scrutinize every piece of information, and to ultimately make sure we have crossed every T and dotted every I  .... over and over again which ironically is just what Mercury loves to do in Virgo anyway whether in direct or retrograde motion ... hopefully everyone  wont lose too much sleep while the mind is now racing while analyzing so much information that will be coming and going !!! 

"BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE" / "CRYING YOURSELF A RIVER" ... PULLED BETWEEN EXPRESSING ONES FEELINGS AND TRYING TO HOLD THEM IN !!!

MARS - the planet representing the urge to get what you want, personal drive, sexual drive, initiative, courage, raw energy, as well as selfishness, abuse and violence -  began its transit through the emotional, nurturing sign of Cancer yesterday, September 4th, at 3:46 PM EDT ... Mars being a fiery planet does not fare too well in a water sign like Cancer as water tends to rain on its parade of initiative as well as aggression which in some cases can be a very good thing and in others cases very detrimental to its course of intended action !!!

Mars in Cancer is said to be in the sign of its "Fall" - that is it's in the sign opposite of Capricorn, where it is Exalted and tends to function even more efficiently than in the sign it naturally rules which is Aries ... so this Mars often has trouble expressing its true nature ... it's "fire" gets "watered" down and that can either produce irritating steam or sensual steamy energy ... it is like staying in someone's home where you do not feel comfortable !!! ... Mars was last in Cancer from March 25th through May 20th, 2023 - anything come to mind from that period in regards to this kind of energy produced when Mars transits Cancer ???

Mars in Cancer can be highly emotional and is pulled between expressing its feelings and holding them in ... there is a great need for emotional security ... one may assert themselves here indirectly, shyly, sensitively or carefully, but this Mars is definitely prone to emotional outbursts ... identity is closely tied to home, family, and feelings ... energy levels seem to rise and fall with ones moods ... if your heart is involved in something, then this energy can truly accomplish anything it sets its mind out to do ... anger is more often expressed through crying rather than screaming and yelling ... one has to be careful with this energy not to give too much to others just to avoid confrontation !!!



Mars in Cancer shows us that to get what we want, we must do so through nurturing ... its fighting or taking flight ... the sex drive is usually very strong here but that can be good or bad depending on how the energy is expressed ... one of the challenges with this energy is to find out what is really making you angry and deal with it ... figure out who or what it is that you genuinely care about also ... ultimately we must learn where the fine line falls between stimulation and outright aggravation !!! ... We now leave behind our minds being set on fire for a thirst of knowledge as well as the desire to move about and that drive becomes turned deeply inward to address our emotions and what we feel we must nurture !!! 

As Cancer is ruled by the Moon, and the Moon naturally rules the 4th house, we may encounter problems with the stomach - there could be a lot of you out there that become the victim of reflux, acid indigestion, heartburn, and frequent upset stomach issues ... also the home, family, the mother or a maternal figure, women in general and the public in general are areas where one could find issues arising if you react too quick without thinking things through ... and of course whichever house or houses the complete degrees of Cancer fall in your natal chart is certainly where you will find this increased "watered down burning" drive to occur !!!

This Martian energy likes close involvements, a secure sex life, and an active home life ... it does not like mild mannered emotions, distress within the family setting, inner doubts and domestic "fires" ... the energy of Mars in Cancer can be expressed in the following ways:


POSITIVE: sensuous, provocative, passionate, sexually subtle, tenacious, protective, bold, hardworking, complex, adaptable, sensitive, healing, intuitive, original, occultist


NEGATIVE: irritable, evasive, too intense, sexually unsure, possessive, defensive, compulsive, neurotic, moody, quarrelsome, confusing, fatalistic, weird, spooky/spooked



Mars is currently the only planet transiting through the sign of  Cancer and that may be enough at the moment considering all of the emotional issues we all are trying to deal with in our lives ... Mars will not make its complete transit through Cancer until April 17th/18th, 2025 and you know why ... obviously an excellent reason to find out which house or houses in your natal chart these 30 degrees fall !!!

Mars is currently "slowing down" to begin its next retrograde journey ... this will be a dual sign Mars retrograde occurring from December 6th through February 24th, 2025 going from 6 degrees 10 minutes Leo back to 17 degrees Cancer ... Mars will actually complete its first full transit through Cancer on November 3rd, but once retrograde will return to Cancer on January 6th, 2025 and once direct will move forward again and finally complete its transit through Cancer on April 17th/18th depending on which time zone in which you live ... Mars enters its next shadow point on October 5th !!!

CANCER BORN, there exists the potential for you to become restless and/or "fired up" about something or someone during this extended period ... as always be careful not to incinerate, or in this case should I say perhaps be careful not to flood others with your heightened emotional state, the object of your increased drive and desire - and that goes for everyone as well !!!



We all will be experiencing this energy on some level of our lives ... we will be urged to keep the "home fires" brightly lit, but we must be careful not to go overboard and end up  "burning down the house" or "crying yourself a river" !!!

"ELECTRICALLY" CHARGED DRIVE TURNED INWARD - TO MOVE FORWARD, BE DIFFERENT, BE INDEPENDENT, DO THINGS SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ... AND BE REBELLIOUS ???

URANUS - the planet known as the great awakener, the rebel, the planet of intuition and the sixth sense and sudden and unexpected change as well as revolutions and breakthroughs, radicals and radical ideas and behavior, the ruler of astrologers and inventors, and the planet closely associated with electricity, technology and electronics - began its retrograde journey for 2024 on Sunday, September 1st, at 11:18 AM EDT, at 27 DEGREES 15 MINUTES TAURUS ... where you find Uranus in your individual natal chart is usually where you tend to do the unusual and break from the norm ... Uranus, which takes 84 years to make a complete journey through the 12 signs of the Zodiac, most certainly marches to the beat of a different drum !!!! ... and if you know or are an Aquarius born individual, you probably understand this very well !!! ... Uranus was last retrograde from August 29th, 2023 through January 27th, 2024 !!!

Uranus is the planet of the unconscious, and even during a retrograde journey that is where its energy will be most highly concentrated ... however, during a retrograde period the energy will tend to be even more pronounced ... people born with Uranus retrograde in their natal chart - and there are a lot of us out there since Uranus retrogrades for about 5 months out of each year - are frequently found on the forefront when it comes to change and actions that are oriented towards the future and on the cutting edge ... the desire to reform or rebel is perhaps even stronger during a retrograde period than when Uranus is direct ... if you've had a natal chart run and know in which house or houses 27 DEGREES 15 MINUTES TAURUS back to 23 DEGREES 15 MINUTES TAURUS fall, then you might get an idea in what area of your life where this particular retrograde energy will most likely play out ... you might also want to check and see if you have any natal planets, regardless of sign placement, at or close to the degree of the beginning of the retrograde and the degrees that this retrograde period will cross back over as events can suddenly spring up in regards to the aspect Uranus might make !!!

During a transiting Uranus retrograde, it's time for each one of us to ask ourselves what changes do we see happening in the world and ask ourselves how we are contributing to or working against them ... it is very important during the retrograde period to look at the connections between ones own personal changes and those that are occurring around the world ... how are they connected and do we need to find a better way to do that ??? ... are we helping mankind move forward through positive growth or are we being counterproductive through our rebellion to assert our individuality, independence and freedom and ultimately causing more problems than we solve ???

As Uranus is currently in the later degrees of transiting through the sign of Taurus - where the lesson of this energy is all about "awakening" through learning to stabilize - the Universe has been giving not only Taurus born - who may have especially felt the impact of this retrograde along with the other earth signs those being Virgo, and Capricorn as well as the other fixed signs those being Aquarius, Leo and Scorpio - but everyone a glimpse of things to come and where CHANGE WILL NEED TO BE AND MUST BE ADDRESSED and WILL ULTIMATELY TAKE PLACE while Uranus transits Taurus ... Uranus is considered to be in its "fall" in Taurus as it opposite to the sign it is exalted in which is Scorpio ... in "fall", a planet can have difficulty in expressing its real nature ... it is said that in "fall", it's like the planet is visiting in someone else's house where it does not really feel comfortable ... so does this make its often disruptive, rebellious nature even more challenging or modify it somewhat ??? ... each individual will discover that on their own during this transit !!!

Uranus has been literally slowing down and sending out its often disruptive vibrational energy at the 27 degree Taurus position since August 7th creating a lot of tension, uproar and irritation on many levels no doubt especially since approximately August 26th as it was pretty much "astrologically" at a standstill ... the Universe has been making not only Taurus and Aquarius born - who may especially feel the impact of this retrograde - but everyone else aware there WILL BE CHANGE which NEEDS to be and MUST be addressed while Uranus is retrograde ,,, and it may not always be pleasant and/or easy in some cases ... but keep in mind for all the uproar Uranus can cause it frequently produces sudden and unexpected flashes of intuition and outright genius ... those who may be especially sensitive to this retrograde energy shift include Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn born as well as Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius !!!

There could be a lot of us who experienced this tension during this past week ... in some cases there may have been a sudden and/or unexpected change take place out of the blue ... or even a confrontational situation arose we were not expecting ... until the retrograde energy settles in, there could be instances of rebellion, disruption, explosions and confrontations !!!

Uranus remains retrograde for 151 days until January 30th, 2025 !!!

Aquarius born individuals, this is your yearly period to review and reflect on what is going on in your life and see how and where you might need to make some positive changes to further personal and spiritual growth ... you may especially want to pay attention to what has transpired in your lives since Uranus finished its last retrograde journey and resumed direct motion back on January 27th of this year ... along with Aquarius born individuals, we ALL will most likely have something illuminated from our subconscious that needs to be dealt with which certainly requires a necessary change as well as rethinking something somewhere in our lives that we suddenly and probably quite unexpectedly took action against to bring about change that perhaps now we realize wasn't the best course of action to have taken ... but will we willingly do this or will the Universe force us to come face to face with our erratic actions and be accountable for them ???

Now we have this "electrically" charged drive turned inward urging us to move forward with purpose, to be different, to be independent, to have our individual freedom, to do things suddenly and unexpectedly and to be downright rebellious - that's the way retrograde Uranus rolls ... or should I say shakes ???

One thing is for sure - when we are dealing with the sudden, unexpected, disruptive, revolutionary energy of Uranus, which can lead to something highly innovative and ahead of its time or perhaps negatively something that is disastrous and life changing in a way we didn't want, it makes it absolutely a time to be prepared to EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED ... so the ultimate question becomes - will you become a rebel with or without a specific cause ???

A HIGHLY MENTAL APPROACH TO LOVE AND ROMANCE WITH THE EMOTIONAL FACTOR COMING INTO PLAY LATER !!!

Venus began its "loving" transit through the charming, sociable sign of Libra yesterday, August 29th, at 9:23 AM EDT ... Venus is very much at home here - considered to be in dignity - as this is one of the two signs it naturally rules - the other being Taurus ... Venus was last in Libra from November 18th through December 4th, 2023 ... anything come to mind during that ride of emotions, relationships and possibly financial issues ???

Venus in Libra tends to first have a highly mental approach - because Libra is an air sign - to love and romance with the emotional factor often coming into play later ... it enjoys art, harmony, and certainly people ... it can be charming, diplomatic, and graceful in relating to others ... affection is expressed with elegance, charm, and consideration ... fairness, balance and gentleness are qualities used when interacting with others ... sometimes there can be such an excessive desire for peace and tranquility that one avoids having to face issues which ultimately can inhibit intimacy ... there is pleasure found in balance and in beauty ... this energy appreciates symmetry ... the handling of money and possessions is most likely cooperative even though at times there could be a competitive edge ... Venus in Libra wants affection, beauty and ease in love relationships with a need for equal sharing between one and ones partner ... this Venus is also equally concerned about justice and fairness !!!

Venus transiting through Libra is all about how to love through relating with others ... it's the aesthetic ... one can appreciate and understand art and society on their own separate levels ... there is an inner sense of harmony here which yields the ability to see life in terms of beauty and justice ... this ability comes from more of a mental approach rather than an emotional one ... here one recognizes that beauty is important with the question arising whether or not it is more than or simply skin deep ... the ultimate answer is that it is both !!!



Venus in Libra can easily be attracted to ones inner beauty in addition to or rather than their outward appearance ... there is also probably a fear of conflict and disharmony ... ugly scenes, feeling unattractive, uncouth behavior and fake love are strongly disliked ... this energy is likely to attract either popularity or wealth, or both ... social harmony, tastefulness, being in love, beautiful surroundings and true marriage are highly appreciated here ... the energy of Venus in Libra can be expressed in the following ways :

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

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

Libra born individuals, this is your time when the love light of Venus shines on you - even though it usually always does as it is your ruling planet !!! ... and, as always, ask for what you want especially during this period as you might just get it !!!


Venus is currently the only planet transiting through the sign of Libra ... Venus remains in Libra until September 22nd !!! 

For those of you who like to plan ahead and might have a "special" occasion coming up in 2025, Venus will take its next retrograde journey from March 1st/2nd through April 12th/13th, 2025 ... it will be a 42 day dual sign retrograde period going from 10 degrees 50 minutes Aries back to 24 degrees 37 minutes Cancer - check those houses involved in your natal chart !!! ... and just to make things interesting or perhaps more challenging, the first Mercury retrograde of 2025 will be completely embedded in the Venus retrograde occurring from March 15th, the Ides of March !!!, through April 7th ... ironically it will also be a dual sign retrograde going from 9 degrees 35 minutes Aries back to 26 degrees 49 minutes Pisces ... oh what a tangled web of love, romance and communications the Universe weaves !!!

Remember ones personal ideal is something to strive towards and not stubbornly insist upon ... relationships will ultimately prosper on love and understanding of the best AND the worst ... and certainly the undeniable purest expression of Venus in Libra is developing the ability to lend grace where awkwardness exists and to gain understanding in the midst of strife !!!

For now, it's time to seek beauty and learn to truly appreciate it for what it is ... determine where your passion for the pursuit of justice truly lies ... play nice with the other children ... and ultimately it's time to discover and understand the "true beauty" of partnerships and relationships and how they can manifest positive personal and spiritual growth in your life !!!

MOVING FORWARD WITH POTENTIALLY GREATER ILLUMINATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT !!!

   

MERCURY completed its second complete retrograde journey for 2024 yesterday, August 28th, and stationed  back into direct motion at 5:14 PM EDT at 21 degrees 24 minutes of Leo - once again, do I hear a BIG SIGH OF RELIEF ??? ... what revelations have you had or will have, either positive or challenging in regards to what you may have done while Mercury has been "scrubbing" over those degrees - 4 degrees 6 minutes Virgo back to 21 degrees 24 minutes Leo - forwards, then backwards and now forward again as it crosses back over them moving to exit its retrograde zone ... in which house or houses do these degrees fall in your natal chart giving you a clue as to what area of your life this retrograde may have affected you ???

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 cautiously into the swing of things on all levels !!!

Did any issues and complications or questioning arise in regards to things done during the last retrograde period from April 1st through April 25th ??? ... or maybe as far back as December 13, 2023 through January 2, 2024 ??? ... 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 meaning things begun and actions taken are certainly subject to potential review and revision - a never ending universal process but all for a good reason !!!




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 !!! ... again, if you've had a natal chart done, you should look to see in which house or houses containing 4 DEGREES 6 MINUTES VIRGO back to 21 DEGREES 24 MINUTES LEO fall to determine what issues you may have had 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 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 ???  ... 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 - especially during the Leo part of this retrograde ??? 




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" and rational decision making isn't always so sharp !!!




So now that the mental processing facilities are no longer going backwards - at least for most of us if you know what I mean - 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 Virgo could certainly have given rise to issues regarding daily work and service, health and nutrition, and possibly family issues ... as Virgo rules the intestinal area in the body, there could easily have been issues there as well in addition to other health issues in general that might have arisen as Mercury naturally rules the 6th house which includes health and nutrition !!!

As Mercury retrogrades in Virgo, Mercury in Virgo already "slows" down the mental process with Virgo being an Earth sign, and adding retrograde energy to it can just complicates matters where there is already the tendency to over analyze everything down to the last detail !!!! ... Virgo is the natural ruler of the 6th house of the horoscope so one might also have encountered issues regarding employment, employees, tenants, servants, pets, dependents, service given to others, routine matters, your clothes and how you wear them, hygiene, interest in food and ones diet, sickness and all conditions affecting your health ... the 6th house also relates to ones aunts and uncles, self-adjustments and ones unconscious mind ... it is important to note that in the 6th house, work and health are linked together !!! 

On August 14th, Mercury returned to the sign of Leo for the final portion of this retrograde period ... Mercury retrograde in a Fire sign, this time being Leo, may have caused us to question how any means of inspiration could helpfully create a better future for ourselves !!! 

Mercury retrograding in Leo could certainly have caused issues to arise in regards to romance - therefore those getting married during this period could potentially be greatly affected, creative pleasurable activities, emotional attitudes, the love we give to others, social affairs, the education of children, and any dramatic, literary, or artistic endeavors as these are the areas ruled by the 5th house of the natural zodiac which Leo naturally rules !!!

Leo is ruled by the Sun and as such, there could also have been issues arising in regards to ones personal expression, the quality of leadership and success, the father, husband, and men in general, health, vital principles, authority and bosses, rank, title, high office, progress, dignity, energy sense of identity, ones capacity for experience !!!

In regards to health, the Sun rules the heart and the back, and Leo rules the heart, back or spine, the right eye of the male and the left eye of the female ... these areas could have potentially have had issues arise as well as the others aforementioned !!!

Gemini and Virgo born, yet another period of review and reflection for you has come to an end

especially in regards to actions taken since April 25th when Mercury last stationed back into direct motion ... how have you been enlightened and how was your life affected by having your ruling planet Mercury retrograde ... your ruling planet now resumes forward motion and much to your delight so will you - even though you were probably trying to do it during the actual retrograde ... right, of course right - in fact many of us are doing the same thing !!!

Those of you born between August 6th and August 27th definitely got Mercury retrograde energy in your birthday (solar return) chart for the whole year ahead ... those born on August 5th and August 25th may or may not have gotten this backward energy depending on the time of your solar return this year ... below is a repeat explanation of what it means to have Mercury Retrograde for the whole year in your birthday chart:



The significance of having Mercury retrograde in your yearly birthday chart or, as we refer to it in Astrology, a Solar Return, is summed up below by Mary Fortier Shea in her book titled "Planets in 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 !!! "

Mercury now moves forward to conclude its full transit through Leo which began back on July 2nd and will complete its transit through Leo on September 8th/9th depending on which time zone in which you live !!!

Just a reminder of what the energy of Mercury in Leo is all about should you need a "refresher" :

Mercury is now ready to finish blazing through Leo where the mindset and communicating functions will most likely become "center stage" somewhere in your life for ... as Leo is a fire sign it will bestow Mercury with a lot of creativity ... this Mercury is quite the performer who wants to get your attention along with your admiration any way it can ... Mercury was last in Leo from July 11th through July 28th, 2023 !!! 

Mercury is considered to be in its "fall" in Leo ... that meaning it is in the sign opposite to the one where it is considered to be in "exaltation", which in this case is Aquarius where it expresses its energy harmoniously with its forces increased and its virtues magnified ... HOWEVER, Mercury in its "fall" in Leo can yield a difficulty in expressing its real nature ... it is said to be like staying in someone else's home and being where you do not really feel comfortable ... Nevertheless, there is a lot of positive potential from this mercurial energy !!!

Mercury in Leo thinks dramatically and always with the heart ... here one can become a visionary and  highly idealistic ... romantic attachments tend to take a major portion of ones concentration ... there is a display of dignity, a sense of innate refinement, and a desire to make good impressions on others ... there is also a desire to be the authority in ones chosen field ... there is ability to solve problems, but sometimes the details are ignored ... ambition abounds under this energy ... and since this is a very dramatic energy for communication it should not be a surprise that every now and then comes the tendency to exaggerate, be self-centered, or tell a little white lie or two !!!



Entertainment could easily be ones forte with dramatic talent being given here - okay all you wannabe actors, now it's time to show us what you got !!! ... this is often the natal placement of those in the entertainment industry ... there could be skills at sales, advertising, promotion or any means of persuading people with ones mind and tongue ... there could also be a desire to have ones thinking or style of communication given a lot of attention ... speech is made with abundant energy, great pride, liveliness and a lot of charisma ... drama and humor is frequently used in communications ... learning is best achieved when one is aroused and excited by a particular topic ... sometimes the ego has a way of getting involved here which could lead to fixed thinking or limited objectivity ... presentations are usually dramatic and magnetic ... one could become interested in power, children, fame and creativity under this energy !!!

Mercury transiting through the sign of Leo teaches us to instill our thinking process with ambition and creativity ... its the idea person ... one is usually proud of their intellectual talents and capabilities ... with the mind being so closely connected to the heart, there is great passion, strength and originality in the mode in which one thinks and communicates ... sometimes insecurity here can lead to one coming on too strong or even cause one to underestimate the power of their mind !!!

Mercury usually functions best when it is cool and detached from the ego, but this can become difficult in the self-conscious sign of Leo where personal aims and intentions appear to be to all-important and other important factors become far less important ... it is wise to realize that people give up trying to help others who always think they know better ... but ultimately, being able to combine ones own creative and enterprising mind with an awareness of others ideas and attitudes that are involved in your personal drama will benefit everyone ... problems are usually approached with great imagination and energy ... learning to use the input of others will allow one to avoid being a one-person endeavor, and then the mind will become a vital spark that will ultimately ignite a larger group endeavor ... the power of Mercury in Leo can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: mentally creative, distinctive verbal style, warmly articulate, identifies with popular ideas, grasps the entire issue, intellectually confident, focused concentration, fixed intentions, enthusiastic worker, convincing speaker, outspoken and optimistic, knows ones own mind, teaching and planning ability, foresight, executive mind

NEGATIVE: mentally conceited, liking the sound of ones own voice, only interested in ones own ideas, overlooks details, mentally arrogant, inflexible mind, stubborn and one-track mind, self-centered, feels superior at work, craves appreciation, verbally over-bearing, talks "AT" others, wrapped up in pet projects and theories

Mercury is now transiting through Leo by itself !!!

So exactly what kind of "scene" from what kind of "play" will each one of us be "acting out" during this dramatically expressive transit of Mercury ... new ideas and projects just might have quite a theatrical air about them !!!

While Mercury is in Leo it is wise to remember that we should teach others what we really want to learn our self ... we stand or we fall by what we say and how we say it ... do not ignore that "small still voice" that is an important part of the greater good !!!

One final word of advice - be aware that whatever springs from your mind, and ultimately from your lips, is only as good and true as that which dwells in your heart ... So, curtain up ... light the lights ... cue applause ... now, let's get out there, take center stage, think big and then communicate with a dramatic flair which for certain people will not be a difficult task at all will it ??? 

Mercury remains in direct motion until November 25th/26th depending on which time zone in which you live ... it begins its final retrograde journey for 2024 lasting until December 15th going from 22 DEGREES 40 MINUTES back to 6 DEGREES 23 MINUTES SAGITTARIUS ... Mercury enters its next shadow point on November 7th when it reaches 6 degrees 23 minutes Sagittarius ... and just a heads up the final 10 days of this upcoming Mercury retrograde will be embedded in the next Mars retrograde which occurs from December 6th through February 24th, 2025 - a dual sign Mars retrograde going from 6 degrees 10 minutes Leo back to 17 degrees Cancer ... Mercury will exit its retrograde zone on September 11th when it returns to 4 degrees 6 minutes Virgo the point where it began this retrograde period !!!

For now, try begin moving forward and try to find ways to be grateful and thankful for all that you are blessed with even though there may have been some difficult challenges occurring as well ... the Universe never lets us have anything "perfect" or "for free" because we are supposed to be in a constant state of enlightenment and illumination promoting personal and spiritual growth !!!