Astrology Month♊ Gem.Cap. ♑


October 2018

Venus turns retrograde in the sign of ♏Scorpio on October 5th and will remain retrograde until November 16th, moving back into ♎Libra on October 31st. This retrograde gives us the chance to look over and review our affections, relationships, and finances. We may question a current project or commitment during this cycle that allows us to catch up with our heart on a matter.

On the 8th, the 🌑New Moon occurs in the sign of ♎Libra. This is a time for taking charge of our relationships and giving them their due attention, as well as working on our negotiation and partnering skills. Resolution of conflicts is in focus.

On the 24th, the 🌕Full Moon occurs early in the sign of ♉Taurus. This lunation serves to reawaken an urgent interest in the physical world and in our own sensual needs and desires. We should watch for stubbornness at this time, although some self-interest is healthy and necessary.

Jupiter forms a trine to Chiron exactly on November 1st, and influences at least the last week of October. This subtly uplifting time brings us the opportunity to free ourselves from restrictive and negative attitudes that have been undermining our progress. We are especially open to learning from others, and better able to help others to understand our point of view. We might open our minds to different perspectives and philosophies. We’re absorbing and possibly sharing what we’ve learned from past experiences and mistakes. Mercury taps into this influence with its alignment to Jupiter on the 29th. We’re focusing on the goal, not the details, and it’s useful and rewarding. We can visualize in broader terms and see the “big picture” now, and communicate our message with spirit and enthusiasm, and we enjoy learning, as well.


September 2018

On the 3rd, Jupiter forms a semi-square with Saturn. This is the third and final such aspect in a set that first perfected in December 2017 and formed again in March this year. With this longer-term aspect, we need to stop to check our “work,” whatever venture that may be. This is not the time to take shortcuts–they probably won’t yield desired results. Some restructuring of our lives or business goals is now in order. It is best to breathe new life into old plans rather than to strike out with a new plan altogether. We might take steps to grow, but should probably avoid overextending ourselves at this time or we’re bound to face frustrations.

Saturn turning direct on the 6th is a strong reminder to take care of our responsibilities and to bring our goals down to earth. With Saturn’s direct turn, our responsibilities, and perhaps our limitations, are magnified. Gradually, our long-term goals and plans become clearer. With Uranus retrograde, Saturn direct, and Jupiter in aspect to Saturn, this is a less rebellious and more responsible time, generally speaking. At least when it comes to appearances, we are more likely to follow the rules.

The 🌑New Moon occurs in the sign of ♍Virgo on the 9th, offering us opportunities to take charge of our lives through organizing, editing, and refining work and better attention to health. This is a fertile and productive time. Mercury, ♍Virgo’s ruler, is direct and out of its shadow, and is also in the sign of ♍Virgo, and the 🌑New Moon happens at the time of a superior conjunction of the Sun and Mercury — usually pointing to an especially “woke” time. However, this 🌑New Moon opposes Neptune, and we may struggle with our expectations or perceptions of what’s real and what may be an unrealizable dream. 🌑Its harmony with Jupiter and Pluto suggests that we can make things work to our benefit.

Jupiter forms a sextile to Pluto on the 12th for the final time in a set of three perfections while Jupiter is in ♏Scorpio, the first two of which were in January and April. This transit is powerful for nurturing our ambitions. It favors business, the law, and commerce. We might enjoy increased influence, faith, and insight now. The desire for more personal significance can lead us to give of ourselves or motivate us to pursue personal or professional goals more ambitiously. The ability to sway or persuade can be enhanced under this influence. We might also take steps to better ourselves. We might solve a problem that has been in existence for some time, or capitalize upon a resource that was previously overlooked.

The 🌕Full Moon occurs on September 24th in the sign of ♈Aries, reminding us to consider how we are honoring ourselves in the context of our close relationships. New revelations can occur now, particularly in the areas of our physical bodies, leadership skills, our ability to initiate and begin new things, and our close partnerships. With this 🌕lunation square Saturn, we can struggle with obstacles or what appear to be harsh realities, but we’re persistent and resilient.

On the 25th, retrograde Chiron moves back into the sign of ♓Pisces where it previously spent many years (more than seven). This is part of the transition of Chiron from ♓Pisces to ♈Aries. While Chiron will end its retrograde on December 8th, it will continue its journey through ♓Pisces until February 18th, 2019, and then will stick around in ♈Aries until 2026/7. The retrograde cycle is good for introspection and for reassessing mental and physical health programs in our lives.

Pluto turns direct on the 30th. Intensity is with us in the days (and perhaps weeks for the sensitive) surrounding this date with a strong focus on ambition and the need to feel empowered. Over the coming weeks and months, the power to make deep changes in our lives becomes less internalized and more insistent and direct. We are less likely to brood over changes that we feel have been thrust upon us and more likely to make necessary changes.


August 2018

On the 7th, Uranus turns retrograde, and this is a season for a more conservative approach to pursuing our goals. While Uranus is retrograde (until January 6, 2019), our desire to make changes in our lives can be turned inward as we get in touch with what it is that may be holding us back from living more spontaneously and authentically. This is a less rebellious time, generally speaking. At least when it comes to appearances, we tend to follow the rules. Uranus will dip back into the sign of ♈Aries on November 6th for a few months before re-entering ♉Taurus more consistently in March 2019.

The 🌑New Moon on the 11th is a 🌑Solar Eclipse and occurs in the sign of ♌Leo – the final 🌑Solar Eclipse in the ♌Leo-♒Aquarius set, but not the final 🌑eclipse in ♌Leo (a 🌕Lunar Eclipse in ♌Leo will happen in January 2019). This 🌑eclipse can give us a super push towards more play, romance, and self-expression in our lives. We can tune into the more positive energies of the sign of the ♌Lion. This is a time to uncover and share our unique, creative powers — that which makes us special. We might aim to allow our “inner child” to come out and play, and consider plans related to games, sports, recreation, speculation, hobbies, children, romance, and dating. We may look for ways to take charge, and this comes out of a feeling that we’re no longer in the lead in our own lives.

Mars is retrograde until the 27th, continuing in the sign of ♒Aquarius and then dipping back into ♑Capricorn on the 12th. Mars turned retrograde on June 26th. We’re in the position to re-assess our current projects, our approach to getting what we want, and our desire nature. Mars energy is essentially turned inward–it’s internalized, intensified, personalized, and perhaps pressurized. There can be passive-aggressive behavior during this cycle. We may be instigating problems or arguments rather than dealing with issues directly. However, this can be a good time to learn more about our inner motivations and desires, as well as to reconsider old projects and interests. We can experience lowered vitality and/or health issues, especially those associated with areas ruled byAquarius andCapricorn (nervous system, legs, bones (including teeth), and skin). When we can’t find outlets for expressing our desires and anger, there can be struggles with resentment or shame. Energy flow seems interrupted or unnatural and stop-and-go. It’s better to avoid pushing matters. Reworking and redefining current projects may be especially satisfying, and ultimately very rewarding.

Mercury continues its retrograde in the sign of ♌Leo until the 19th. This can be a period for returning to old hobbies or forms of recreation with a renewed perspective. We may be thinking about past accomplishments, loves, and creations more frequently, seeing them a little differently now. Past ideas and perceptions of lovers, children, and creative pursuits can emerge and change. Mercury will remain in its post-retrograde shadow until September 2nd.

Jupiter forms a trine to Neptune on the 19th for the last time in a set of three perfections while Jupiter is in ♏Scorpio, the first of which occurred in December 2017. Idealistic and humanitarian goals or impulses surface now. Making connections with others from a different background may figure. Widening our minds through unusual or different experiences can be part of the picture. Practical considerations could take a back seat now. Generosity and compassion increase and our faith gets a nice boost. We more readily make personal sacrifices for what we believe to be the larger good. The month is a slow-moving one, and this influence helps us make the best of this pace.

The 🌕Full Moon occurs on the 26th in the sign of ♓Pisces, just a day before Mars turns direct. This 🌕Full Moon serves as a reminder of the need to consider our spiritual and emotional wellness. The key to balance lies in identifying and expressing our spiritual needs while maintaining order in our everyday lives. Neglecting either end of the ♍Virgo-♓Pisces axis will surely backfire–we would either be living in chaos or excessive order.

Mars, after turning direct on June 27th, will continue its transit of ♑Capricorn until September 10th. Slowly but surely, confidence in our ability to assert ourselves and to effect change increases.


July 2018

Chiron turns retrograde on July 5th and will remain retrograde until December 8th. This cycle is good for introspection and for reassessing mental and physical health programs in our lives. We tend to look within for healing with Chiron retrograde.

Jupiter turns direct on the 10th in the sign of ♏Scorpio. This can represent a turning of the corner with certain projects and relationships as well as increased enthusiasm. With Jupiter direct, our confidence in ourselves, our intimate lives, and the universe builds. Especially with Saturn retrograde, we are more lighthearted now. We’re ready to share ourselves and what we’ve learned with others.

A 🌑New Moon partial Solar Eclipse occurs in the sign of ♋Cancer on the 12th, bringing the chance for a fresh start. We are called upon to pay attention to our instincts, our deepest needs, and our feelings; and to recognize the importance of our family and our personal circle of friends as well as the security, sense of belonging, and safety that we derive from them. It’s a time for getting in touch with our vulnerabilities and our needs for intimacy. We might begin a new project that involves improving the home or domestic life in general. Flaws in an important system in our lives are revealed around the time of the eclipse, prompting us to redo or to start fresh. Something ends in order for something else to start anew. We may be called to give up something in order to move forward into a new chapter in our lives.

Mercury turns retrograde on the 26th in the sign of ♌Leo and will remain retrograde until August 19th, never leaving the sign. Mercury starts its shadow phase on July 7th so that issues encountered, conversations, and projects started from July 7-26 can very well come up for review later. With both Mercury and Mars retrograde now, we’re likely to feel that things are moving slowly.

Mars is retrograde all month (from June 26-August 27), calling our attention to unresolved matters. We may be revisiting or rehashing old friendship matters or we may be reconsidering or thinking about the past. While this is an excellent period for seeing old problems in a new light and for identifying problem areas in our relationships, there can be some obsessing over these issues. We can experience lowered vitality and/or health issues, especially those associated with areas ruled byAquarius andCapricorn (nervous system, legs, bones (including teeth), and skin). When we can’t find outlets for expressing our desires and anger, there can be struggles with resentment or shame. Energy flow seems interrupted or unnatural and stop-and-go. It’s better to avoid pushing matters. Reworking and redefining current projects may be especially satisfying, and ultimately very rewarding.

The 🌕Full Moon occurring on the 27th is a 🌕total Lunar Eclipse in the sign of ♒Aquarius and is bound to thrust us into a state of heightened awareness of flaws in/with our friendships, attitudes towards others, the community, and group activities. While we’re reminded of our needs for friendship, community, as well as impartiality and objectivity, decisions made now are emotionally-driven. With so much attention on our personal lives and pleasures, we’re reminded now that we mustn’t lose sight of our larger goals and our need to give back to the community or group that supports us.


♑ CapricorntopGem. ♊


October 2018 Overview

A take-charge, get-noticed energy is with you this month with the 🌑New Moon happening at the top of your solar chart on the 8th, dear ♑Capricorn. Others are especially aware of what you've accomplished and perhaps what you haven't achieved, too. This is a time for subtly upping your game. Complicated feelings about a friend are possible this month with Venus retrograde in your solar eleventh house. Social relationships are, at times, perplexing. You may be playing a waiting game, not knowing where you stand, or you could be experiencing ups and downs in your relationships.

Mars is picking up speed, which can motivate you to focus on building and developing. This is a good idea now - the month favors building upon projects already in progress. October is likely to bring a less competitive energy into your life, and you're bound to appreciate the change of pace, although there are times when things may seem stuck. Professional interests and ambitions are active one moment and then chill then next, and the same is true of your personal life. The 🌑New Moon on the 8th finds you wanting to turn over a new leaf regarding your reputation or professional experience, but with the ruler ofLibra retrograde until November 16th, you may need to take your time on this. Delays can happen, and they can also lead to significant edits.

Financial matters might need special handling. Watch for impatience with money. With retrograde Venus, judgment of value may not be up to par, and with Mars in your resources sector, you're inclined to rush into purchases. A missed opportunity may be frustrating around the 10th, but it can also steer you on a course towards better management of your resources.

With Venus retrograde most of October (from the 5th), it's better to develop current ventures and projects rather than take on new ones. Some complications surrounding friends and lovers are entirely possible this month, but some of you may reconnect with long-lost friends or gain valuable insight into a relationship. You or a friend may be dredging up old issues, or there can be a bit of distance between you and a buddy just for now. You can view this as giving others space to gain perspective rather than keeping a distance. Avoid, if you can, secret involvements, as attractive as they may be with so much up in the air in your life in the affections department. There can be a distinct focus on matters of the past, particularly related to old projects and friends and lovers. New information about old issues can come to light, particularly around the 10th and 25th. You might learn something about--or make contact with--someone from your past. Watch for talking ahead of yourself, though, as your heart may not be ready to talk or know about everything that piques your mind's curiosity!

Jupiter's travels through your eleventh house, on the other hand, keep you dreaming and planning for the future. You may meet new acquaintances who help you to further your goals, or you could join a new group or association that gives you considerable pleasure and satisfaction. Business endeavors will go more smoothly for you if you recognize the value of the team at this time.

Around the 🌕Full Moon on the 24th, there can be some drama in your romantic life. A lover, a child, or a creative project needs some attention, and it's time to sort that out.

The 28-31 is brilliant for your social life. You're appreciated and enjoyed. People are drawn in by your optimism and generosity of spirit. Others might extend kindnesses to you now, and some of you can enjoy new friendships. These are also active, positive days for networking, sharing, and promoting. Jupiter is spending its final weeks in your social sector, and it's hooking into a beautiful aspect with Chiron in your communications sector before it moves on, bringing up opportunities to connect, learn, and communicate in empowering ways.

The Sun: Central Focus, Consciousness

All month: The Sun illuminates your career and reputation sector. More than any other time of the year, your focus is drawn to your "place" or standing in the outer world, and your reputation. This is the time when you are more interested in, and focused on, accomplishing something important.

Your competency is something that you are especially sensitive to during this cycle. You want to shine. Your vision is practical right now, and you want to see tangible results for your efforts. More contact with authority figures is likely during this period. Recognition is likely to come your way whether you ask for it or not, and the responsibility that comes right along with it! Do what you feel is right, keeping in mind that you are at your most visible during this period in the year.

Venus: Love, Romance, Social Life, Comfort

Venus is retrograde from October 5th to November 16th Venus retrograde in general: As the planet of love and values, Venus retrograde periods are periods during which we re-assess what--and who--we value. It is a period that most astrologers consider inopportune for getting married or starting a new relationship. Major financial undertakings are not advised during this period as well. Venus retrograde cycles are good times for creating budgets and financial plans, and for re-thinking our personal relationships. Old friends and lovers may re-appear, perhaps complicating current relationships. We are called upon to deal with relationship issues from the past.

Events occur that seem fated or predestined. It can be a real challenge getting close to a lover during this period of time. Unorthodox, experimental, and non-intimate relationships may be favored. Relationships that have been especially challenging may come to an end during this cycle. However, strong relationships will survive it, even if there are a few bumps and bruises along the way. For singles, this is a good time for "eyes wide open" or experimental dating. It is not a time when people recognize the need for another person to complete them, or some people may be questioning whether they are with partners who actually fulfill them. This period is good for re-evaluating our relationship needs; but, again, major love decisions are best saved for after the cycle ends.

This Venus Retrograde cycle occurs for the most part in your solar tenth house of career and reputation. For the time being, the social aspect of relationships on the job may be compromised somewhat. Be as non-judgmental as you can with co-workers during this cycle. You might find that your professional reputation is not as favorable as it typically is, at least not from your point of view. You may not know how exactly you would like to come across, and this could be the reason for any confusion just now. Look to the past for answers before pushing forward.

Venus-ruled areas of your chart are also affected--career, as well as relationships with lovers and children.

Mercury: Communications, Learning, Transportation

Until the 16th: Mercury continues to transit your solar tenth house. Career matters are busy at this time, and there can be plenty of thoughts and/or conversations about your profession, your reputation, or your social standing during this cycle. It's a good time to analyze your work tasks and to streamline them or improve your skills. There may be increased contact with the public now, or you might experience an increased need to be heard and acknowledged for your intelligence, skills, capabilities, and ideas.

From October 16th forward: Mercury is transiting your solar eleventh house. Your mind is bright, alert, and active during this cycle, and you have the ability to come up with unusual and inventive ideas. Sharing your thoughts with others is a prime interest. Others tend to particularly enjoy your conversations during this transit--you are willing to listen as well as add your own thoughts. As well, your ability to grasp unusual subject matter and to intuitively understand what others are trying to say win you some brownie points! You could also do a lot of thinking and musing about your own happiness and long-term goals.

Mars: Energy, Drive, Courage

Until the 10th: Mars continues to activate your solar first house, supplying you with added energy to apply towards personal goals, and a more assertive and direct approach to the world in general. This is an excellent period for physical training and exercise of any kind. The desire to be self-sufficient and independent is especially strong now. You are far less tolerant of being restricted by or dependent on others, and this is a good time to identify your personal strengths and to take positive action to rectify situations that may have previously felt frustrating or repressive. You might be especially attracted to personal challenges, and seeing just how far you can push. However, be careful not to push yourself (and others) too far.

From October 10th forward: Mars energizes your solar second house. You have more energy at your disposal to make money, but also to defend your values. This can be a very resourceful time, when you make the most of what you have. You have much energy for new money-making projects, or for stepping up existing ones. You may be over-identifying with what you have and own, and you could be trying to prove yourself (your worth) to others using money and possessions as the means to do so. If conflicts occur during this transit, they are likely to be over issues of ownership. This is a time when impulse buying is at a peak. You probably should avoid using credit right now, simply because your spending habits may be excessive and impulsive.


September 2018 Overview

September is a month of clear improvements and motivating developments for you, dear ♑Capricorn. Two heavyweight planets currently transiting your sign (Saturn and Pluto) turn direct, and both bodies connect creatively with other planets, promoting your success, mainly involving communications, promotion, publishing, studies, and friendships. Travel or getaways can be clear winners now, too. If this can't be managed, breaking the usual routine is a sure way to boost your spirits. Others are appreciating your knowledge and breadth of vision. You are making beneficial connections and finding it easy to take problems in stride. Some of you are considering taking courses that will boost your professional appeal.

Saturn's direct turn on the 6th, in particular, is strong for fueling your confidence to face reality and make better decisions as a result. This is because Saturn is not only currently transiting your sign, it's your planetary ruler. You're in excellent shape for genuinely getting organized, not just thinking about bringing more structure to your life. This can be a time when specific health pursuits resume or begin.

While you remain friendly and approachable, you're more assertive and independent this month. Mars is now moving direct in your sign, completing its transit on the 10th. Your desire nature is compelling and you're clearer about what you want. Financial problems tend to untangle. You are putting confusing situations and insecurities about your earning power or career path behind you, particularly after the 10th when Mars heads through your resources and self-worth sector, gradually picking up speed as it covers old ground with more confidence.

You may have the chance to seriously enhance a family relationship or home life and living conditions now and going forward, so take full advantage. You're seeking a style of living that genuinely represents you.

The month becomes more goal-oriented when first Mercury on the 20th and then the Sun on the 22nd make it to the top of your solar chart. These influences give you more visibility, but they also encourage your ambitious side to emerge. Mind you, your ambitions can sometimes clash with personal goals and your striving towards more independence. As well, home and family require more of your whole-hearted attention around the 🌕Full Moon on the 24th. Much of the month, networking or connections with friends or the community can be pleasurable and beneficial.

The Sun: Central Focus, Consciousness

All month: This month, with the Sun spotlighting your solar ninth house, your focus turns outward, away from the more personal concerns that have occupied your thoughts in the last months. More than any other time during the year, you are feeling most adventurous and willing to take a leap of faith. This is a cycle in which you seek a higher meaning to your life, and/or seek out new experiences that take you beyond the here and now, and beyond the mundane details of day-to-day life. Anything that broadens your experiences attracts now. A lack of superficiality finds you straight to the point, interested in the truth of things. It would be wise for you to consider scheduling a vacation, adventure of sorts, or a course that expands your mind. These don't have to happen now, but taking the time to recognize your needs for escaping the daily grind, taking a few risks, and feeding your spirit for self-expression through some form of adventure or higher learning, will help you to feel good about yourself. The only caution with this cycle is that you could lose touch with managing everyday affairs and important details.

Venus: Love, Romance, Social Life, Comfort

Until the 29th: Venus continues to transit your solar tenth house. Relationships with authority figures, superiors, and with the public are in focus during this cycle. It's a strong period for diplomatic relations, although a negative expression of this position could be bending over backwards to please rather than positive, friendly relations. It's a time when being a team player reaps the most rewards, and you may be mixing business with pleasure now. This may be a time when you are especially enjoying your career or position and making the most of it.

From September 29th forward: Venus graces your solar eleventh house now. Forming harmonious, warm social friendships, possibly related to group activities within a club, can figure now. You may meet someone through such group activities; consequently, your interests will be shared. Whether or not you do, the bottom line is that sharing interests with someone is what makes you happy during this cycle. Venus here enlivens your friendships and group associations with charm and grace. You are more peace-loving than usual and slightly detached on a personal level. If a romance were to begin during this time frame, it would be characterized by a strong feeling of camaraderie, but it could also be rather impersonal and perhaps lacking in depth and intimacy.

Mercury: Learning, Connections, Transportation

Until the 11th: Mercury continues to transit your solar eighth house. The ability to analyze and rationalize some of the deeper elements inside yourself and in your intimate life now can benefit you. This is also a good time for sorting out finances, particularly money shared or coming from other sources other than your own personal income. You might particularly enjoy discussing topics that you typically don't verbalize with someone special during this cycle. Anything taboo, mysterious, or puzzling can be especially fascinating for you just now. You have little interest in small talk. You are more aware of subtleties and nuances during this cycle, and you can use this increased insightfulness to improve your life.

From September 11-27: Mercury transits your solar ninth house. Not content to focus on mundane, practical affairs just now, your mind turns to bigger visions, thoughts, and ideals. You are open to expanding your knowledge base during this cycle, and communications from or with someone far away may be part of the picture. You are putting everything into perspective now, rather than compartmentalizing. Instead of simply shooting the breeze, you are more inclined to discuss broader philosophies now. Your inclination during this cycle is to think about the "big picture" rather than the mundane circumstances and details of your life. Missing appointments and other forms of forgetfulness could be part of the picture now.

From September 27th forward: Mercury transits your solar tenth house. You are likely thinking a lot about your career and business matters, or your career requires more communication than usual during this cycle. You speak with authority during this period, and you are more accountable than usual for what (and how) you communicate. Your ideas may come into public view now. Use the power of words to influence authority figures. This is an excellent period for developing career and professional plans or strategies. You may be turned to for advice or for your opinion on important matters. Although approachable and ready to communicate, you are less inclined towards chatting about frivolous matters now. You tend to think about your position or standing on a professional level more frequently during this cycle. You are likely doing some multi-tasking regarding career and business matters. Negative use of this influence would be to worry unnecessarily about your reputation and responsibilities.

Mars: Energy, Drive, Courage

All month: Mars continues to activate your solar first house, supplying you with added energy to apply towards personal goals, and a more assertive and direct approach to the world in general. This is an excellent period for physical training and exercise of any kind. The desire to be self-sufficient and independent is especially strong now. You are far less tolerant of being restricted by or dependent on others, and this is a good time to identify your personal strengths and to take positive action to rectify situations that may have previously felt frustrating or repressive. You might be especially attracted to personal challenges, and seeing just how far you can push. However, be careful not to push yourself (and others) too far.


August 2018 Overview

The month favors slowing down for all, dear ♑Capricorn. Fortunately, the energies of the month help make this more natural for you. It's an essential time for looking within. Intimate matters can be your major focus, mainly in the first three weeks of August, or you can be particularly involved in current pursuits. You're more inclined to focus your energy on one or two important projects, and your interest in bonding with someone special or for focusing on a special project strengthens. You're in good shape for getting into better touch with your inner power and recognizing or building upon support from others.

There can be some matters from the past to settle, or some backtracking in these areas, as well as with personal plans and financial affairs, however. Mercury's direct motion on the 19th signals a turning point, but it may not be until after the 27th that you've sorted out what you genuinely want to do. Saturn continues to demand both order and realism from you, but this theme seems to fall in the background in August. The last week of the month finds you coming out of your shell, craving more adventure, as well as a little clearer about your goals.

August begins with a strong need for inner change, transformation, and self-mastery. Your focus turns outward later in the month, but the inner work you do is powerful. It's a time for observing and processing rather than taking new action, and this theme is echoed by retrograde Mars until the 27th, especially with this happening in your sign from the 12-27.

While in the first week of August, you're attracting the right kind of attention, you may feel as if there is a lot left hanging in a particular relationship or concerning support until the 19th. The impulsive 🌑Solar Eclipse on the 11th can trigger a quick, sweeping decision on these lines, but it's better to use this take-charge energy to make plans and strategies, saving the big changes until next month or later. You may want to leave something behind and start fresh.

Venus moves to the top of your solar chart on the 6th and will stick around here, boosting your public or professional reputation until September 9th. You may have to work a little harder to attract the things, people, and circumstances you want on a personal level, but in your career and with higher-ups, you have considerable charm and diplomacy at your disposal. This can be a time for enjoying opportunities, promotions, or advances. You tend to say and do the right thing at the right time. Romantic opportunities, or chances to socialize and make mutually beneficial connections, can emerge through business, or you enjoy the work you do and impact you make more than usual. Much pleasure can be derived from pursuing your goals. Others may be appreciating your services or efforts, and positive feedback is likely. Be confident, or at least pretend to be, and you'll grow into it!

Around the 7-8, a new perspective on money matters or a close relationship can steer you on an improved course. Perhaps you're seeing that you've been dwelling too much on a past relationship or problem and this has been unnecessarily weighing you down. You are now feeling the need to move past it and move on.

Mars has been retrograde in the sign of ♒Aquarius since June 26th, and on the 12th this month, moves back into your sign. In fact, Mars will spend its last two weeks of retrograde motion in ♑Capricorn (Mars is retrograde until the 27th). The usual channels for asserting yourself, pursuing your desires, and expressing anger may seem blocked, inappropriate or out of reach now. Until you find new ones, you could feel a little frustrated. Watch that you don't allow unacknowledged or buried desires drive your behavior. You may not be as quick to take action, and this can work to your advantage. This is a significant time for examining ways anger has helped or impaired your life so that you can find better ways of managing it. Focusing on review, editing, and digesting rather than new initiatives is your best bet now, and may very well lead to better results down the road. Slow down, rethink, and regroup.

You also benefit from a Jupiter-Neptune trine influence that has been with you in varying degrees since last December, and now connects for the final time. With this, your social life and friends base may expand, or plans and dreams could motivate you for the future. This is a robust period for imaginative interactions and communications. Your ideas are both inspired and inspiring. It's an excellent time for writing and connecting, as well. This influence sets the perfect mood for the 🌕Full Moon in ♓Pisces on the 26th, when your feelings about a particular project or direction are undeniable.

The Sun moves into your sector of higher learning, spirit, and adventure on the 23rd, and just two days later connects with Saturn and Uranus in a grand trine. You're seeing the benefits of the Saturn transit to your sign more clearly and feeling a comfortable sense of purpose and meaning. You're likely to benefit from more structure or discipline in your creative or romantic life. You are balancing responsibility and recreation more evenly now, and it feels terrific! Your love life improves as you bring a stronger sense of self into the equation. There is more enjoyment in your life as you come to a better balance between work and play.

Mars ends its retrograde period, turning direct on the 27th, and in the weeks following, you'll be building your resolve and pushing personal plans and projects forward. Energy and motivation levels increase as plans of action seem more straightforward. You're clearer on what you desire! You regain energy and drive, and the rewards for your efforts are more evident and motivating. This doesn't happen all at once. In fact, the transition period may be tricky, so take things slowly for now. Decisions shouldn't be rushed.

The Sun: Central Focus, Consciousness

All month: The Sun energizes your sector of transformation, change, sexuality, personal growth, regeneration, others' money and resources, addictions, and taxes. As a result, this is not the most gregarious of months for you. You take a step back, focus on intimacy with a partner, or simply retreat a little from the hectic pace of life. This is an excellent time to create a budget or financial plan, or to rid yourself of bad habits that undermine your sense of personal power and self-mastery. All that is deeply personal comes into focus now. Intimate matters are especially important to you during this cycle. Just how well you are handling your life comes up for inspection. Your self-mastery skills and psychological predisposition matter to you more than usual.

This is the time of year when you are most desirous of change on a deep level. Clearing out psychic "junk" or ridding yourself of bad habits may be part of the picture now. You are more willing than usual to explore life's secrets. This cycle brings greater in-depth understanding and an inclination to delve beneath the surface of matters to get to the bottom of them. Research uncovers new material that allows you to develop a better overall picture of the year's events. This is an especially introspective cycle during which you have the chance to truly uncover your personal strengths and talents. On a more practical level, you may be dealing with joint finances and shared resources now more than usual.

Eclipse

A Solar Eclipse Occurs on August 11th: A general rule of thumb regarding eclipses is to avoid major decision-making in the week before and after an eclipse. This is because new information that could change our perspective often is revealed in the week after the eclipse. There is absolutely no need to suspend projects already in progress. Essentially, it's better to take in right now--to observe and get in touch with feelings.

The Solar Eclipse marks a new beginning for you. Letting go of the past is necessary in order to move forward. This eclipse occurs in your solar eighth house, suggesting a new approach to the way you share money and resources or get along with a close partner on an intimate level. New intimate liaisons or arrangements surrounding support from others (loans, joint finances, alimony, and so forth) may be formed in the coming months, as well as a sense of renewal and reinvigoration with regards to your ability to employ self-mastery skills. This is a phase when you will be especially busy initiating new projects or activities that increase your resources. You may experience increased awareness of others—what makes them tick—as well as your own internal motivations during this period. It is a time when intimacy and deep levels of sharing are heightened. It is also a favorable time to start a financial plan, savings plan, take out a loan or consolidate, and do work in accounting.

Venus: Love, Romance, Social Life, Comfort

Until the 17th:Venus continues to grace your solar ninth house. During this cycle, your ideals in love are set high. You might become inspired by a loved one now, or someone might awaken a new perspective or way of thinking in you. You could also enjoy a trip, or a new adventure of sorts. In fact, you are attracted to anything that is non-routine and fare best when you are reaching out beyond your usual bounds. You might be attracted to people or even objects that are exotic or different in some way during this cycle. It's a good period for personal charm and attractiveness in general.

From August 17th forward: Venus graces your solar tenth house now. During this cycle, you are most charming and well-received on the job. Your responsibility and authority are likeable qualities now, making this a favorable period overall for schmoozing with those in a higher position than you, as well as for negotiations or social activities related to business. Venus is charming, friendly, and affectionate, and her presence in your career and reputation sector brings social opportunities to your career. You are coming across well at work now, and romantic opportunities, or simply more chances to socialize and network, are likely. You are socially ambitious right now, and success may come through your good managerial qualities or some form of artistic talent, or, indirectly through your marriage partner. People who turn your head during this cycle are those who come across as especially competent.

Mercury: Comm., Learning, Connections, Transport

Mercury is retrograde until August 19th: All Mercury retrograde cycles particularly affect you in terms of communications regarding travels, legal matters, or opinions, as well as communications on the job and with co-workers, because Mercury rules these areas of your life. It's best not to sign on the dotted line for the time being, especially when it comes to making travel plans or any legal contracts. There could be irritating mess-ups on the job. You might be inclined to miss important details in your paperwork, or might experience frustrating delays that result from co-workers' errors. Travel plans may go awry, or you may have a change of heart.

Occurring in your solar eighth house this time, extra care should be exercised regarding any financial initiatives that involve shared resources. Delays are very possible when it comes to receiving support, loans, and taxes. It may be better to side-step arguments with loved ones that revolve around intimacy and sexuality just for now, or approach these matters with more sensitivity if they can't be left for a better time. Investments made now may not go the way you want them to, particularly those involving joint finances. It may be hard to rely on the input of your partner now, and money you were counting on may not be forthcoming. It's best to budget rather than spend during this period, and in fact it's an excellent period for review. It would be wise to be especially clear when it comes to communicating with financial officials and intimate partners; or take this time to re- examine issues rather than communicating about them prematurely.

Mercury is direct from August 19th forward: Mercury continues to transit your solar eighth house. The ability to analyze and rationalize some of the deeper elements inside yourself and in your intimate life now can benefit you. This is also a good time for sorting out finances, particularly money shared or coming from other sources other than your own personal income. You might particularly enjoy discussing topics that you typically don't verbalize with someone special during this cycle. Anything taboo, mysterious, or puzzling can be especially fascinating for you just now. You have little interest in small talk. You are more aware of subtleties and nuances during this cycle, and you can use this increased insightfulness to improve your life.

Mars: Energy, Drive, Courage

Mars is retrograde from June 26-August 27: All Mars retrograde cycles affect you in the areas of the home, family, security, and domestic activities because Mars rules these areas in your solar chart. This can play out in a variety of ways. For example, household projects may slow down or stall. You might be feeling more defensive during this period, or you might get worked up about old waves of anger or regarding emotional issues from the past that are resurfacing now. It's a good time for examining how you have been expressing anger or asserting yourself with your family.

Until August 27th: Occurring in your solar first house now, this Mars retrograde cycle is very up close and personal! The ways that your survival instincts have served you to date may not seem to be as effective, or you might be feeling cautious and withdrawn in a general way now. You might find that you are second-guessing yourself, and this is a natural process as you reassess how you've been going about meeting life and reacting/acting, which may need some polishing! It's a good time for refining these things. Your personal initiatives and confidence are affected. Perhaps you are less confident about your effectiveness and more cautious about sharing yourself with others. Personal initiatives might need to be put on the back burner, or you could show less enthusiasm for them. You may be a little tired and more accident-prone during this cycle, so be sure to rest up.

You are also examining the way anger has helped or impaired your life and coming up with new ways to manage it. In the process, you can experience some real frustrations. The end result, ideally, is a much-improved "you." It's time to rethink, revise, and reorganize your plans. Backtracking is a good idea now. How you assert yourself and how you go about going after what you want out of life are up for review now. Watch for unacknowledged or buried desires driving your behavior.


July 2018 Overview

Relationships are in strong focus this month, dear ♑Capricorn, and you're getting a big chance for a new beginning. A 🌑Solar Eclipse occurs in your partnership house on the 12th, prompting you to think about relationship lacks and needs and helping to wipe the slate clean for starting fresh. Sorting out problems and enjoying special moments with people in your life are satisfying activities in their own right, but can positively impact many different life departments as well. Jupiter's direct turn this month stimulates increasing resolve, which you can use to your advantage to improve your social life and connections to groups and causes.

A revelation about financial matters can emerge in the last week of July. This can also be about your ability to fend for yourself or to support yourself. Changes in income sources may be part of this package, and with Mercury retrograde in your solar eighth at the same time, there could be a dilemma or delay that prompts you to find new ways of bringing in money. Fortunately, you have some prospects, and you can be especially inventive with your practical affairs. However, it's best to look to works already in progress or old projects and ideas to rework than to begin anything brand new.

Mercury is retrograde from the 25th forward in your intimacy sector, and Mars is retrograde all month, so there can be some complications and challenges to overcome, but overall, this is a good time for exploring feelings and attitudes. The 🌑eclipse on the 12th tends to get the ball rolling, but most of the first three weeks of July are nevertheless strong for redefining relationships and relationship needs. Willingness to let someone else take the stage opens up new levels in personal relationships right now, which have a chance to grow. Partnering or teaming up can bring more significant rewards. You are inspiring more trust and compassion is highlighted. Editing and revising are also strongly favored this month.

Jupiter's direct motion on the 10th contributes to hopefulness about your friendships as well as long-term plans. Essentially, it's bringing your social life to life! This will be more obvious in coming months, but for now, you're finding increasing joy in connecting. More and more, group activities and associations reveal themselves as avenues for fulfilling your own goals.

Possible tensions in July tend to revolve around matters of independence, respect, money, and sharing. How a partner is treating you or spending money can be a point of frustration. Try your best not to attempt to mastermind a situation having to do with people and emotions, as Pluto and Saturn in your sign can seem to tempt to you to do.

From the 9th forward, you have Venus moving in harmony with your sign and forming exceptionally harmonious aspects. You're in excellent shape for showing your worth and integrity without having to go to lengths to prove yourself.

July is excellent, in fact, for connecting with others in affirming, positive, and helpful ways. It's an excellent time to enjoy cultural or social events, trips, and educational entertainment. Studies can be fun, and you're drawn to people who are genuine, generous, and honest, and who enjoy similar ideas and interests as you. Most of all now, others are drawn to you with attractive Venus in harmony with your sign and ruler, Saturn.

The 🌕total Lunar Eclipse on the 27th can bring revelations and possible conflicts to the foreground. Money matters can be a big theme now. There can be a tug of war going on with someone (or within yourself) over money, possessions, and matters of control. Whatever emerges now can force a needed change. A Venus-Pluto trine connected with this 🌕eclipse suggests a passionate pursuit or interest can be transformative and rewarding now and in coming months.

The Sun: Central Focus, Consciousness

All month: The Sun illuminates your seventh house. At this time of year, you have a greater need than usual to be with a partner. Bouncing ideas off someone helps you to better understand yourself. A partner provides a mirror for your own self-discovery. Now is the time to realize your own potential through a significant other.

During this cycle, you focus on balancing your personal interests and objectives with your social life, or with those of a partner. The emphasis is on "us" rather than "me". You need the energies, companionship, and support of other people, and they may also seek out your support and companionship. It's important to include others rather than to go solo for the time being. However, bending too much to the will of another is not advised either.

Social interactions of a personal, one-on-one kind are emphasized. Circumstances are such that your diplomacy skills are required. Your popularity is increasing, and is reinforced by your own ability to cooperate and harmonize. Your ego and pride are tied up in how you relate to others now. This may be an especially busy time for people who consult or work with clients one-on-one.

Venus: Love, Romance, Social Life, Comfort

Until the 19th: Venus continues to move through your solar eighth house during this period. You are attracted to the deeper elements of relationships and social interactions now, rather than what you meet on the surface. Mysteries fascinate you and you could be looking for others' motives for doing and saying what they do. It's a good time to feel supported by others, whether it's financially or emotionally. It's also a strong cycle for discovering your own hidden talents as well as fascinating things about a partner.

From July 19th forward: Venus graces your solar ninth house during this period. A taste for the exotic takes hold during this cycle. Routine affairs simply don't seem to satisfy. You receive pleasure from anything that expands your horizons, both physically and mentally.

Foreign people and places may particularly appeal now. You tend to be expansive and generous when it comes to love. A love interest who attracts you during this cycle may be somebody who you previously wouldn't consider attractive, or someone whose cultural background is very different than yours. You have a taste for the exotic and the spirit to match.

Public relations work, promotion, and other such endeavors are favored now. It is more about how you express yourself than the specifics of what you are saying that helps sway others to your position. There could be especial rapport with foreigners and with women if you are traveling during this period. You are all the more attractive and charming with this position, which increases your popularity.

If a romance were to begin now, it is more likely to be with someone of a different background or educational level, or someone you meet through travel. You have a taste for the exotic now that can show up in many areas of your life--who you are attracted to, what you buy, the kind of art or entertainment you enjoy, and so forth.

Mercury: Communications, Learning, Connections

Until July 6th: Mercury continues to transit your solar seventh house. You can be especially aware of your "audience" in your communications now, which tend to be diplomatic and respectful during this cycle. You may be encountering an especially chatty or communicative partner, or meeting youthful, talkative people.

At this time, you love to hear others' opinions and perspectives, and it's an excellent time to do so. Others can spur on your own thinking and decision making processes now, simply by offering another perspective. You are thinking a lot about others, a partner, and relating in general, and in some cases perhaps worrying over these things.

From July 6th forward: Mercury transits your solar eighth house. You are more intuitive now than usual, picking up all of the hidden cues from people around you and reading between the lines.

This is an excellent cycle in which to do some financial planning and strategizing. Research is also highly favored. It's also easier for you to approach sensitive, intimate, and personal matters with rationality and logic. As such, this is a great time to open up conversations about topics that normally might cause waves, such as those revolving around the sharing of power, intimacy, and finances.

Mercury is retrograde from July 25/26 to August 19th: All Mercury retrograde cycles particularly affect you in terms of communications regarding travels, legal matters, or opinions, as well as communications on the job and with co-workers, because Mercury rules these areas of your life. It's best not to sign on the dotted line for the time being, especially when it comes to making travel plans or any legal contracts. There could be irritating mess-ups on the job. You might be inclined to miss important details in your paperwork, or might experience frustrating delays that result from co-workers' errors. Travel plans may go awry, or you may have a change of heart.

Occurring in your solar eighth house this time, extra care should be exercised regarding any financial initiatives that involve shared resources. Delays are very possible when it comes to receiving support, loans, and taxes. It may be better to side-step arguments with loved ones that revolve around intimacy and sexuality just for now, or approach these matters with more sensitivity if they can't be left for a better time. Investments made now may not go the way you want them to, particularly those involving joint finances.

It may be hard to rely on the input of your partner now, and money you were counting on may not be forthcoming. It's best to budget rather than spend during this period, and in fact it's an excellent period for review. It would be wise to be especially clear when it comes to communicating with financial officials and intimate partners; or take this time to re- examine issues rather than communicating about them prematurely.

Mars: Energy, Drive, Courage

All month: Mars continues to activate your solar first house, supplying you with added energy to apply towards personal goals, and a more assertive and direct approach to the world in general. This is an excellent period for physical training and exercise of any kind. The desire to be self-sufficient and independent is especially strong now. You are far less tolerant of being restricted by or dependent on others, and this is a good time to identify your personal strengths and to take positive action to rectify situations that may have previously felt frustrating or repressive. You might be especially attracted to personal challenges, and seeing just how far you can push. However, be careful not to push yourself (and others) too far.

Mars is retrograde from June 26-August 27 All Mars retrograde cycles affect you in the areas of the home, family, security, and domestic activities because Mars rules these areas in your solar chart. This can play out in a variety of ways. For example, household projects may slow down or stall. You might be feeling more defensive during this period, or you might get worked up about old waves of anger or regarding emotional issues from the past that are resurfacing now. It's a good time for examining how you have been expressing anger or asserting yourself with your family.

From June 26-August 12 Occurring in your solar first house now, this Mars retrograde cycle is very up close and personal! The ways that your survival instincts have served you to date may not seem to be as effective, or you might be feeling cautious and withdrawn in a general way now. You might find that you are second-guessing yourself, and this is a natural process as you reassess how you've been going about meeting life and reacting/acting, which may need some polishing! It's a good time for refining these things. Your personal initiatives and confidence are affected. Perhaps you are less confident about your effectiveness and more cautious about sharing yourself with others. Personal initiatives might need to be put on the back burner, or you could show less enthusiasm for them. You may be a little tired and more accident-prone during this cycle, so be sure to rest up.

You are also examining the way anger has helped or impaired your life and coming up with new ways to manage it. In the process, you can experience some real frustrations. The end result, ideally, is a much-improved "you." It's time to rethink, revise, and reorganize your plans. Backtracking is a good idea now. How you assert yourself and how you go about going after what you want out of life are up for review now. Watch for unacknowledged or buried desires driving your behavior.


♊ Gemini♑ Cap.top


October 2018 Overview

There is a strong focus on both your sectors of play and work this month, dear ♊Gemini, with the latter increasing as the month advances. You're doing both well! Complications on the work front are very possible in October, however, with Venus retrograde from the 5th onward. Projects may stall or could be in need of review. Even so, this review is necessary and can lead to some very happy improvements, eventually! If you can swing it, working independently or setting your own pace on the job may be preferable with the social climate just a little chilly temporarily.

Even so, your mood is playful, demonstrative, and affectionate for the most part this month. Granted, love relationships may not be exceptionally straightforward or warm, but your heart may need some time to sort things out anyway. Others are finding you charming although they can be hesitant, too.

Although Venus is retrograde most of October (from the 5th forward), Mars is regaining its momentum after several months of either moving backward or sluggishly. This Mars transit helps to compensate somewhat and is, quite fortunately, traveling in harmony withyour sign, guiding you through the month more smoothly than most other zodiac signs. It's a time for breaking out of a routine or a rut. Mini getaways can be a breath of fresh air now. You are entirely on board for doing some experimenting, too.

Early October is strong for love relationships, flirtations, and your social life, as well as for your spirits! The two principal reasons for this positive outlook are the 🌑New Moon enlivening your creative sector on the 8th, and Mars picking up speed in your adventure sector. While work, self-care programs, and health demand more than the usual attention, it's a fine time for enjoying yourself and breaking free of the usual constraints, too. New adventures and experiences can suddenly seem desirable after many months of keeping things on the down-low. Creativity is stimulated, and some of you could be picking up a new hobby or breathing new life into an old one.

Work and health matters grab your attention increasingly as the month progresses, although this has been the case to some degree all year with Jupiter in your solar sixth house. You're coming to the end of this fortunate transit, and you should take full advantage of the opportunities presented to you this month, particularly around the 27-31. You might benefit from a solution or method that improves health or work. Good humor and a visionary, progressive approach help you to heal and more thoroughly enjoy the work you do or connect with a sense of purpose. Others want to hire you or seek your services with your genuine, humbly confident approach now.

Particularly around the 10th and 19th, watch for some impulsiveness. The assertiveness of direct Mars clashes with the retrospect, passive approach of retrograde Venus, and this comes to a boiling point on the 10th. Actions may seem provocative.

Around the 🌕Full Moon on the 24th, you receive a clear message to look within, get some rest, and listen to your inner voice. You may need a small hiatus from daily pressures and demands.

If you're encountering slowdowns, delays, or reversals in projects or waiting games revolving around health or your job, try to be as patient and understanding as you can. Look back at old jobs, projects, and even co-workers for insight. Going over past errors or problems is likely on the job. You can feel a strong desire to produce, but also a strong desire to pull back this month, and it's vital that you keep things moderate. Some things may feel a little hollow to you now, prompting some re-examination. You're learning new things about old problems, mainly related to work, health, and relationships. From the 25-26, you might experience an attitude change in light of recent revelations. Seeing where you may have been tripping up or chasing the wrong things in the past can be part of this. Brand new beginnings in the material world should probably wait, but that doesn't mean you can't begin anew on an emotional level.

The Sun: Central Focus, Consciousness

All month: The Sun illuminates your solar fifth house now. After a period of "nesting", you are coming out of your shell, ready to perform and to express yourself creatively. This is a very playful period of the year, when you are inspired creatively and emotionally. After a period of self-protectiveness, you are now more spontaneous and more willing to take risks. You take more pride than usual in your creations, your love affairs, your children, and your hobbies. Pleasure and amusement play an important role in your search for freedom of self-expression now.

Show off your best colors! You want others to take notice, and you are more sensitive to whether people appreciate you. More than any time of the year, this is the cycle in which you focus on having fun, enjoying romance, and expressing yourself creatively. Your hobbies, leisure time, moments spent with children, gaming time, and so forth, all come into focus at this time of year. This is a cycle in which you find joy in expressing who you are--when your "inner child" comes out to play. This is a time when you are more flirtatious than usual, and when you might take a few risks in life--not only gambling with games but with life itself. You might be a bit of a showman at this time. You are likely feeling good in general, and you tend to spread the joy.

Venus: Love, Romance, Social Life, Comfort

Venus is retrograde from October 5th to November 16th Venus retrograde in general: As the planet of love and values, Venus retrograde periods are periods during which we re-assess what--and who--we value. It is a period that most astrologers consider inopportune for getting married or starting a new relationship. Major financial undertakings are not advised during this period as well. Venus retrograde cycles are good times for creating budgets and financial plans, and for re-thinking our personal relationships. Old friends and lovers may re-appear, perhaps complicating current relationships. We are called upon to deal with relationship issues from the past. Events occur that seem fated or predestined. It can be a real challenge getting close to a lover during this period of time. Unorthodox, experimental, and non-intimate relationships may be favored.

Relationships that have been especially challenging may come to an end during this cycle. However, strong relationships will survive it, even if there are a few bumps and bruises along the way. For singles, this is a good time for "eyes wide open" or experimental dating. It is not a time when people recognize the need for another person to complete them, or some people may be questioning whether they are with partners who actually fulfill them. This period is good for re-evaluating our relationship needs; but, again, major love decisions are best saved for after the cycle ends.

This Venus Retrograde cycle occurs for the most part in your fifth house of romance, pleasure, speculation, and children. Because the cycle directly affects your sector of romance and speculation, you should be especially wary of jumping into arguments with a lover and taking risks with gambling. You may feel you are on shaky ground in the romance department. You don't need to share all your feelings with a lover right now, and you shouldn't jump to conclusions if your lover needs a little space either. It can be hard to derive satisfaction from your romantic and creative activities for the time being. An old lover may resurface in your life, complicating matters.

Because Venus rules your romance sector, don't jump to conclusions if a lover is acting a little distant. Wait it out. Venus also rules your twelfth house, and your desires from love and relationship may be hard to figure out for the time being.

Mercury: Communications, Learning, Transportation

Until the 16th: Mercury continues to transit your solar fifth house. Increased communication with children, romantic partners, and people who share the same hobbies as you can occur now. Certainly, you are thinking about these people and about love and romance, child rearing, and/or creative pursuits more than usual. Mental exercises and competitions can be particularly enjoyable now. You express yourself with warmth and creativity, and you have an appreciative "audience" for your ideas now.

From October 16th forward: Mercury transits your solar sixth house. This is a good placement for Mercury, as it is the natural ruler of the sixth house. It's an excellent period for sorting out the details of your daily existence. You are inclined to make to-do lists, pay bills and sort out clutter, and to do detail work on the job. Health matters are most certainly on your brain as well, and you could be thinking of scheduling check-ups or busy researching ways to improve your health. You may also show a keener interest in improving your basic skills. Your approach to work during this cycle is pleasant, happy, and logical for the most part, unless you allow worry or scattered energy to enter the picture. You are inclined to want to learn new work skills, or to improve your skills and output in terms of work. There is likely to be more activity, movement, contact, and communications with co-workers now. You tend to take more interest in organizing your working environment--and this is an excellent time to do so, as you are especially objective and intelligent when it comes to getting a handle on your daily affairs and all of the "little things" that contribute to a feeling of efficiency and competency. Menial tasks become more prominent. Watch, however, for tension or idle chit-chat interfering with your work output during this cycle.

Mars: Energy, Drive, Courage

Until the 10th: Mars continues to energize your solar eighth house. This is a less outwardly assertive or aggressive stage for you as you take the time to process recent events in your life and to develop strategies for going after what you want in the future. You are more observant than active during this cycle, and more strategic and deliberate when you do take action. There may be an increase in sexual appetite now. It's an excellent period for eliminating wasteful activities. Shared finances can come into focus, and you might feel an increased need to take charge of these matters. This could lead to disputes and disagreements if you are not careful or sensitive in your dealings with others.

From October 10th forward: Mars animates and energizes your solar ninth house. During this period, you are especially enthusiastic and more bold than usual. Some restlessness and hunger for adventure is experienced now. Essentially, you are looking to expand your activities, and you may find that you have a lot of energy for higher studies, travel, or simply new subjects. Negative potentials include being excessively opinionated or getting easily fired up over differences in points of view, or legal fights.


September 2018 Overview

Your personal life, as well as living arrangements or conditions, are in sharp focus as you begin September, dear ♊Gemini. This a good period for strengthening ties with those closest to you. 🌑New Moon energy on the 9th can help you start fresh, and the Sun's alignment with your ruler, Mercury, on the 20th can bring a domestic project to fulfillment or completion. New insights and ideas happening at that time can be pivotal, in fact.

After a couple of months of confusing signals or delays in many different life departments, things seem to be moving along at a comfortable pace in September. You have some breathing room now. From the 10th, travel and educational plans, or the sharing of your ideas, assume more importance. This is a time when Mars is moving in harmony with ♊your sign -- a convenient transit that you may not always appreciate until it's gone since it tends to clear obstacles out of your path and smooths things out quietly. You'll feel the full benefits of this transit later this month when the Sun and Mercury also move into harmony with ♊your sign, from the 20-22 forward. The pace is natural, spontaneous, and comfortable.

Home life is rewarding and supportive in September, especially since you are giving back and taking the time to make your loved ones feel special. You're bringing more energy and pride as well as heightened intelligence to your personal life. These things help you make genuinely valuable improvements. It's a strong time for talking through problems with people you love, or those with whom you live. This is a time for focusing less on meeting societal expectations and more on strengthening your personal life.

It's also a decent period for romantic relations. In October and November, some revisions to creative projects or relationships may be necessary, however, when Venus turns retrograde. While love relationships tend to be pleasurable overall, there can be some backtracking or reticence experienced later.

Your intimate life is gaining clarity with two heavyweight planets in your intimacy sector ending their retrograde cycles this month. You gain a stronger sense of who you want, and what you want from your relationships. You may see some forward progress with taxes, debts, or financial support. There could be sobering news about a financial matter, or you might recognize that money matters are out of order and need to be organized, after which you're in an improved, more responsible position. You might also arrive at a comfortable place of intimacy with a friend.

You're gravitating to things that give you joy and inspire you in the last week of September as you adopt a more interactive, outgoing, and playful attitude.

The Sun: Central Focus, Consciousness

All month: With the Sun spotlighting your house of family and home, these areas are your instinctive focus during this period. Your family, home, property concerns, roots, and heritage come into focus and become a source of pride. You are likely quite preoccupied with feelings of security and your inner experiences. This is a time when you send down roots and seek a feeling of belonging. You could be thrust into a position of leadership on the home front. Ego confrontations with family members are possible now, but the best way to handle this energy is to do your best to strengthen your relationship with your family and your home base. This is a time to do what you can to build trust in your family life and a strong foundation within yourself so that regardless of what you meet in the outside world over the next months, you have a secure place to return to. Besides spending more time tending to domestic affairs, the focus can be on cultivating and nourishing the inner foundations that support you and your growth. This is a time to collect yourself--to fill your well, so to speak.

Venus: Love, Romance, Social Life, Comfort

Until the 29th: Venus continues to transit your solar fifth house. Your popularity is on an upward trend during this cycle as others find you especially attractive and friendly. You may have the desire to dress well and in good taste. There is strength in your feelings of love and the power of attraction, which may open the door to new romantic relationships. Yet, you are not aggressive in your approach to love. Instead, you attract more if you allow yourself to be pursued during this cycle. Conditions are highlighted in connection with young people, and quite possibly a female child--a stronger bond could be formed during this period. You are feeling inspired creatively and romantically and you express your loving feelings quite openly now. Creative self-expression of any kind is favored at this time. You will also thoroughly enjoy artistic, musical, or cultural events and activities, especially in the company of a loved one. At this time, you instinctively know how to place yourself in the best light in order to make a good impression on others. Any love affair begun now will be characterized by good cheer, having fun, and a fair share of emotional drama!

From September 29th forward: Venus graces your solar sixth house now. Establishing a happy and harmonious work environment through friendly relations with co-workers or tidying up your work area comes into focus now. Romantic and social activities may revolve around your working environment. You are generally well liked and respected socially on the job right now. Some laziness is possible now, as you tend to associate pleasure with work! Perhaps you are socializing more than usual on the job. You have good team spirit during this cycle, and you are more tactful and obliging with your co-workers. You are less inclined to fall in love for the sake of love itself during this cycle. Your tendency is to consider whether it is clever to do so! You're most successful doing tasks that involve cooperation and team harmony. You could find that your talents or skills are especially appreciated. Romantic and social activities may revolve around your working environment.

Mercury: Learning, Connections, Transportation

Until the 11th: Mercury continues to move through your solar third house. Mercury feels right at home in the third house. Your mind is especially inquisitive during this cycle, when learning, short trips, and other forms of communication and making connections, appeal strongly. Some are fidgety or nervous during this cycle, perhaps due to increased errand-running, phone calls, or information overload. Others enjoy the challenge of tackling a variety of subjects. As well, talking, writing, and studying can be good ways to handle stress. It's a great time to pick up information from your environment and the people in it. Your mind is often distracted, particularly when required to stick to routine, so this is not the best transit for focusing on one task or project. You might spend a lot of time in your car making short frequent trips, running errands, communicating with siblings and neighbors, and visiting friends and relatives.

From September 11-27: Mercury moves through your solar fourth house. This is a time during which you can enjoy increased powers of concentration. You may require solitude in order to get mental work done during this cycle. Your memory is more retentive than usual, and your thoughts often turn to personal matters, family, and loved ones. You might particularly enjoy discussions about your early life, the past, or family matters during this cycle. In fact, it's a great time to open up conversations with loved ones, as you are more rational when it comes to personal matters now. Your mind often wanders to domestic concerns, and issues surrounding your home, family, and personal past. On the other hand, this transit sometimes indicates an especially busy, and perhaps hectic, period on the domestic scene. For example, you might take home work or find that people drop by your home often during this cycle.

From September 27th forward: Mercury transits your solar fifth house. During this cycle, there is a powerful mental connection with your creative self-expression. You are proud of your ideas, and very good at expressing them to others smoothly now. Your thinking is more creative than usual. You tend to entertain others with your conversation; and your sense of humor (and of mischief!) is especially strong. Your thoughts turn to children, pleasures, or romance during this expressive cycle. You might enjoy researching speculative ventures now. You especially enjoy games that involve competing with others on a mental level. You have a stronger need than usual for intellectual stimulation. Therefore, your friends and romantic partner are best appreciated now if they are intellectual types. You're more willing to take risks on a mental level now, so take advantage of the increased spontaneity and creativity that comes with this position.

Mars: Energy, Drive, Courage

All month: Mars continues to energize your solar eighth house. This is a less outwardly assertive or aggressive stage for you as you take the time to process recent events in your life and to develop strategies for going after what you want in the future. You are more observant than active during this cycle, and more strategic and deliberate when you do take action. There may be an increase in sexual appetite now. It's an excellent period for eliminating wasteful activities. Shared finances can come into focus, and you might feel an increased need to take charge of these matters. This could lead to disputes and disagreements if you are not careful or sensitive in your dealings with others.


August 2018 Overview

You're likely to find circumstances are such that you're sticking close to home, at a desk, or otherwise focused on your daily routines in August, dear ♊Gemini. Even so, it's a busy time for connecting, learning, communicating, and running errands. However, the 🌕Lunar Eclipse that occurred in the last week of July has prompted cravings for bigger things or some distance from the mundane affairs of your life, and you'll be seeking some escapes from time to time. Romantic expression moves from slightly timid to wonderfully terrific around the 6th, when Venus moves out of your home sector and into your romance sector for the remainder of the month and beyond.

Mercury is retrograde until the 19th, after which more clarity comes to your projects and communications, you can put some editing work behind you, or word comes that moves things forward. However, Mars remains retrograde until the 27th, and while you get a better sense of what you should be doing from the 19th, what you genuinely want to do may be up in the air until late August. In some ways throughout August, the cosmos are asking you to slow down and to curb recent excesses so you can get yourself back on track. This way, you can more easily see areas that have been tripping you up, that have been false paths, or where your heart truly wasn't invested. Whether this is about taking on too much or avoiding responsibilities, either way, you'll get a better sense of your next steps. This Mercury retrograde cycle, in particular, may be harder on you than usual. Of course, Mercury is your ruler, making all of its retrogrades significant to you in some manner, but it's currently transiting your communications sector, and delays or misunderstandings can be notable.

From the 6th, Venus transits your solar fifth house to which she brings graciousness, the power of attraction, an urge to interact, and increased charm until September 9th. The solar fifth house rules self-expression, creativity, romance, children, entertainment, and other channels through which you express your need for play, reinforcement, and even applause, and any or all of these areas can benefit. It's a time when you tend to follow your heart's desire, not aggressively, but gently. You approach the world more creatively and romantically. You take increased pleasure in leisure activities and hobbies.

You're likely to gain new insight into your current interests, projects, and communications around the 8th, and the 🌑Solar Eclipse on the 11th can push for a new beginning along these lines. Mind you, brand new launches are not advisable in August, but this doesn't mean you can't consider new approaches or lay the groundwork for new launches next month and later. 🌑Eclipse power is strong and lasting. You might re-discover an old interest or conclude that something you've been pursuing is no longer up your alley. This can be the beginning of new thinking on learning pursuits and projects. Ideas now can spark a long-term venture.

On the 12th, Mars moves back into the sign of ♑Capricorn, where it will transit for the final leg of its retrograde period (until the 27th). For you, this can prompt the need to revisit financial matters, issues of support, and debts. Ambiguity with finances, particularly debts and shared money or resources, could dominate now, or financial affairs require a second look. An old relationship that ended poorly may occupy your thoughts, or a former lover may return (in the flesh or as a flood to your consciousness!). There can be the magnification of unexplored desires now, too. This is a time for exploring frustrations and deeply buried matters and finding better tools for managing your life on an emotional level. Keep in mind that retrogrades are about taking a second look at things, so consider this an opportunity or a blessing in disguise.

Around the time of Mercury's direct turn on the 19th, Jupiter and Neptune form their final trine in a set that began last December. Its final hoorah is fantastic for boosting your emotional world. It encourages a more spiritual or imaginative approach to your work, services, and health. It's a strong time for enjoying or finding work, volunteering, showcasing your skills, and improving working relationships. There is powerfully creative, generous energy with you for matters related to your career and reputation. A vocation, life path, or direction may fall into place, especially if you relax on the need to strictly define your end goals and instead focus on doing your best in the present. Trust that by doing what you love, you'll get where you need to go, however long it may take! This can be a good time for coming up with creative solutions to problems, as well. This aspect sets the right mood for enjoying the 🌕Full Moon on the 26th when you can make some beautiful and meaningful realizations about your career or longer-term goals.

The Sun moves into your home and family sector on the 23rd for a month-long transit that is determined to see you rest and recuperate. It's also a time for making improvements in your domestic world. Helping you out with this is a Grand Earth Trine that encourages getting in touch with, understanding, and appreciating your inner world, responses, and closest relationships. Improvements mean getting a handle on problems related to emotional attachments, dependencies, sexuality, or financial support. There are solutions, outlets, or even breakthroughs occurring now that suggest steady forward motion. You might have a nice outlet for expressing yourself or some of the blocks in your intimate life or with money decrease. You're in great shape for sorting out financial and emotional problems and dealing with bad habits.

Mars turns direct on the 27th after two months of retrograde motion. Complexities begin to unravel, mainly related to finances or dealings with a partner. You'll appreciate a more straightforward approach after a feeling of treading water. You'll have more energy and direction in the coming weeks. Later, you get the chance to work through issues related to studies or travel that were in limbo. Use the period ahead to face problems directly and courageously, but ease back into action.

The Sun: Central Focus, Consciousness

All month: The Sun is illuminating your communications sector now, suggesting "busy-ness" and movement. You are exploring and searching now, making connections, and paying attention to your immediate environment. Social interaction is emphasized during this period, and is for the most part light-hearted. Give other people a little extra time and attention, notice their efforts on your behalf, and strengthen your connections. You are more curious and alert than usual, and you could be quite busy with errands, paperwork, phone calls, and light socializing. Much energy is expended in understanding and adapting to your immediate environment.

Siblings, neighbors, close relatives, friends, and co-workers may play a more important role than usual in your life during this cycle. You are more interested in exploring your own neighborhood than you are a different country. This is not a time of big adventure-seeking. Rather, it's a time of little adventures close to home. Neither is this a time when you are especially focused. In fact, you could have a finger in many pies right now. You are especially resourceful now, and you could find yourself enjoying (or seeking) attention for your intellectual know-how. The ability to express and communicate your ideas is extremely important to you at this time. You are eager to investigate new things, whether scientific or technical.

Eclipse

A Solar Eclipse Occurs on August 11th: A general rule of thumb regarding eclipses is to avoid major decision-making in the week before and after an eclipse. This is because new information that could change our perspective often is revealed in the week after the eclipse. There is absolutely no need to suspend projects already in progress. Essentially, it's better to take in right now--to observe and get in touch with feelings.

The Solar Eclipse marks a new beginning for you. Letting go of the past is necessary in order to move forward. This eclipse occurs in your solar third house, suggesting a new approach to communications projects, learning, or self-expression. A new position in the neighborhood, relocation, or increased interaction with others may be part of the picture in the coming months, as well as a sense of renewal and reinvigoration with regards to the way you handle your daily activities. This is a phase in which you have an increased awareness of your environment, and when you experience increased alertness. It's a good time to take tests, fill out forms, start a new course, write letters, make phone calls, and take care of daily tasks with energy.

Venus: Love, Romance, Social Life, Comfort

Until the 17th: Venus continues to transit your solar fourth house now. Domestic relationships and the home environment tend to be especially harmonious and peaceful during this cycle. You may have a desire to decorate your home with better quality items or more attention to aesthetics. An inner sense of peace and security tends to dominate now, or the desire for peace motivates you now. Your affections are strong but you don't wear your heart on your sleeve just now, preferring quiet moments with loved ones.

From August 17th forward: Venus warms your solar fifth house. This is an expressive period for the goddess of love! It's natural for you to turn on the charm without even lifting a finger. You are especially attracted to aesthetic forms of recreation. You feel a little more playful now, and love matters tend to be laced with a touch of drama. That shouldn't be a problem--in fact, you kind of like it that way for the time being. More loving and appreciative relationships with your children may also figure now. Your powers of attraction skyrocket during this cycle. Yet, you are not aggressive in your approach to love. Instead, you attract more if you allow yourself to be pursued during this cycle. Creative self-expression of any kind is favored at this time. At this time, you instinctively know how to place yourself in the best light in order to make a good impression on others. Any love affair begun now will be characterized by good cheer, having fun, and a fair share of emotional drama!

Mercury: Comm., Learning, Connections, Transport

Mercury is retrograde until August 19th: All Mercury retrograde cycles particularly affect you in terms of your personal presentation or image to others and communications with family because Mercury rules these areas of your life. Because Mercury is your sign's ruler, all of the common Mercury Retrograde issues may apply. Put off making important decisions with regards to family and domestic matters (♍Virgo-ruled for you) just now, and take care when it comes to communicating with family members.

Occurring in your solar third house this time, extra care should be exercised when it comes to composing letters, emails, making phone calls, and with communications in general. There may be the need to revisit old, nagging issues with siblings or neighbors, errands could go wrong, you might have trouble getting from point A to point B (example, transportation problems), emails or letters get lost, and so forth. Idle chit- chatting during this period may have repercussions! People might be misunderstanding your words. You may be forgetful during this cycle, and it makes sense to allow yourself extra time to get to appointments, if they are not cancelled in the first place! It would also be wise to double-check your work and communications before sending them off.

Mercury is direct from August 19th forward: Mercury continues to move through your solar third house. Mercury feels right at home in the third house. Your mind is especially inquisitive during this cycle, when learning, short trips, and other forms of communication and making connections, appeal strongly. Some are fidgety or nervous during this cycle, perhaps due to increased errand-running, phone calls, or information overload. Others enjoy the challenge of tackling a variety of subjects. As well, talking, writing, and studying can be good ways to handle stress. It's a great time to pick up information from your environment and the people in it. Your mind is often distracted, particularly when required to stick to routine, so this is not the best transit for focusing on one task or project. You might spend a lot of time in your car making short frequent trips, running errands, communicating with siblings and neighbors, and visiting friends and relatives.

Mars: Energy, Drive, Courage

Mars is retrograde from June 26-August 27: All Mars retrograde cycles particularly affect you in terms of your friendships, group associations, networking, business income, and dreams/wishes because Mars rules these areas of your life in your solar chart. Challenges are possible now. Enthusiasm for generating business income, for group or community activities, and/or friendships may wane, perhaps due to some problems or setbacks in these areas of life. You may be temporarily confused about long-term goals.

Until August 27th: Occurring in your solar eighth house during this date range, enthusiasm for intimate and sharing matters, in general, may wane, perhaps due to some problems or setbacks in these areas of life. Intimate matters may become more intense and complicated. Joint financial projects or initiatives may stall, or you could find that you are less confident about expressing yourself in personal ways. A lover or yourself may especially intense or obsessive. Ambiguity with finances, particularly debts and shared money or resources, could dominate now. There can be the magnification of fears and phobias, unexplored desires, and addictions now. Refocus, backtracking, and review become necessary and recommended. You could be exploring anger and assertion over deeply buried matters, and learning to better manage your life on an emotional level.


July 2018 Overview

July is an excellent month for efforts to build and fortify essential areas of your life, dear ♊Gemini. It's not a good month for pushing things forward or for important launches, but you can be very productive nevertheless.

In fact, you can be very intent on bringing recent ideas and endeavors to life and building or developing these projects. With a 🌑Solar Eclipse in your solar second house happening on the 12th, you'll be wanting results, but you're also very willing to put in the necessary time and energy to achieve your goals. While you may be wrestling with funding source problems, sound energy is with you for new sources of, or increased, income from your own efforts not only this month but in the coming six months as well (🌑eclipses have this kind of impact and range!). The 🌕Lunar Eclipse on the 27th can point to the culmination of a project or learning endeavor. You also have Jupiter turning direct in July, reinvigorating your interest in health programs and work projects that improve your sense of well-being.

You shouldn't forget that with Mars retrograde all month and Mercury, your ruler, retrograde from the 26th, you are encouraged to slow down, work things out, draw on patience, and build and develop what you already have in place. In fact, the sooner you accept this kind of pace, the better the rewards!

With so much retrograde activity these days, Jupiter's direct motion on the 10th can feel especially good. Motivation for your work and health programs increases. Projects that had stalled or were left behind might now resume, pick up speed, or turn a corner. A committed relationship may show signs of forward motion or increased positivity. The next several months are excellent for benefits from work, services, and health. For now, you're easing forward in these areas -- it's slow but steady.

Overall this should be a calmer, less visible month for you, and it does you some good. You are exploring different ways of building your sense of value and worthiness. There can be renewed hope or optimism about finances or work now. Money issues or sources of income may change, and there can be some reshuffling to do. Ultimately, you could be finding ways to increase your income or your earning potential. Save big launches for later, but work at editing and revising, as these efforts can lead to great things. You might enjoy recognition for past work, and you can quite effectively work on or revive old projects that are likely to have long-term appeal and profitability. There can be important discoveries. There can be some wonderful inspiration and imagination surrounding business and finances this month.

The primary areas of potential challenges or tension for you in July tend to related to support, transportation, communications, and power dynamics. Others may not be giving you the support or feedback you desire at times this month, but do your best to go without. You may surprise yourself with your capabilities. Delays or mixed up schedules can especially grate on your nerves. There may be frustrating issues surrounding transportation and mobility to contend with. Differences of opinion can be a real issue in your relationships, as well. A money problem that may have been weighing you down could reach a turning point. If you've been feeling undervalued, frustrations can come to a head. This is an excellent time to let go of some of the need to control things and discover more personal power in the process.

From the 9th, you have Venus gracing your home and family sector and forming some special, fortifying aspects during her stay there. There can be beautiful prospects involving your family or home life now, and there can be increased pleasantness in your routines, work, or domestic world. If you need to repair or refresh relations with family, this is a fabulous time to do so. It's also a fine time for home decorating, creative work, and relationships with co-workers or employees. Going the extra social mile at home or in your business can be satisfying, and perhaps profitable, too. However, try not to let evasive dreams interfere with your current situation or relationship. A person in your life may have trouble putting faith in a long-term goal if it doesn't seem realizable, or your uncertainty about your future can put some strain on your family life.

The Sun enters your communications sector on the 22nd, kickstarting a busier, more connected theme in your life. Even so, just a few days later, Mercury turns retrograde in this same sector, and delays can prompt you to reimagine how to get around, communicate, and connect more creatively.

The 🌕total Lunar Eclipse on the 27th is a complicated one. Mars is retrograde all month, and it is only during its retrograde periods that Mars forms its opposition to the Sun, every two years or so, and this happens at the time of this 🌕eclipse! The temptation may be to push to have your way, when in fact this is an opportune moment to take the time to feel, learn about, and understand your desires and drives. Frustration can center on intellectual planes, so watch for speaking prematurely or making too much of something said. Make safety an critical priority, as impatience can lead to errors in judgment. This 🌕eclipse also ties into a fortunate Venus-Pluto aspect, and improving your personal life or relationships with loved ones can be a significant motivator for you to make these necessary changes.

The Sun: Central Focus, Consciousness

All month: The Sun highlights your second house now, and your focus is on material affairs and comfort issues. Security is a driving force for you at the moment, and you might find that you are especially interested in accumulating possessions. What you have and what you don't have come into focus--what makes you feel comfortable, your sense of security, and what you value.

This is the time of year when personal finances and possessions receive maximum attention. Pour your energy into your work and your finances, and you might just be able to take your ideas to the bank. Extravagance with your pocketbook is something you may want to look out for, however.

If you find yourself itching to make unnecessary purchases, know that at the root of this urge is the desire to pamper and comfort yourself. Nothing wrong with it, but there are inexpensive (and even free) ways to make yourself feel good. This is not the most eventful time of year for you. You are more inclined to dig in your heels and hang on to what makes you feel most secure than to take big risks.

Venus: Love, Romance, Social Life, Comfort

Until the 19th: Venus plays in your solar third house now, indicating a more light-hearted, curious, and intellectual approach to love and pleasure, as well as a more easygoing communicative style.

During this cycle you are especially charming in your communications with others. Your words are soothing, and you tend to use words to smooth over problems that you see around you. You are mostly cheerful in your approach to others, and perhaps somewhat intellectual. Essentially, you are quite companionable during this cycle.

You enjoy talking about what interests you, and you see value in the exchange of ideas. Sometimes this transit brings benefit through siblings, communications, or short trips. Good companionship is as equally important as romance to you during this cycle. You prefer an intellectual, communicative, and witty partner just now, and your powers of attraction are increased through expressing these types of qualities.

You are most attracted to wit, cheerfulness, and verbal rapport, and you are especially good at mediating conflicts now. If you were to begin a romance or friendship during this cycle, it would likely be quite light-hearted.

From July 19th forward: Venus warms your solar fourth house now. During this cycle, you are especially fond of the life of the home and family. You are more receptive and gentle on a romantic level, and tend to be sentimental or nostalgic now. You may particularly value the aesthetics in and around your home during this period.

If things are out of whack on the home front, you will do whatever you can to create a peaceful and stable atmosphere. Loyalty and sensitivity in your relationships are more important to you than typically. You might focus on ways to earn money in or from your home. This is a calming influence--a time when simple pleasures most appeal.

Mercury: Communications, Learning, Connections

Until July 6th: Mercury continues to transit your solar second house. You might play with various ways to increase personal funds, resulting in more than one avenue for monetary gain. Avoid letting undue pressure from others push you into signing important papers that may create a serious financial commitment. Shopping when experiencing nervous tension should also be avoided. Your mind is always active with new ideas for an increase of income during this cycle. Brothers or sisters, or communications, may be a source of financial or material gain or loss now.

From July 6th forward: Mercury is right at home in the third house and offers a natural curiosity, facility with words, and the ability to multi-task successfully. More time spent on the phone, writing emails, in the car making short frequent trips, chatting, running errands, communicating with neighbors and siblings, visiting friends and relatives, and doing paperwork is likely now. There can also be a tendency to fuss over insignificant matters now, however. Also, "information overload" is also a possibility. This may be a busy time with neighbors, classmates, siblings, and community affairs.

Your interests are especially varied now and perhaps scattered. It's an ideal time to pick up information from your environment and the people in it, as your tendency is toward a certain level of intellectual detachment just now. Your mind is often distracted, particularly when circumstances call for you to stick to the routine, so this is not the best transit for focusing on one task or project. Your mind is especially inquisitive during this cycle, when learning, short trips, and other forms of communication and making connections, appeal strongly. Some are fidgety or nervous during this cycle, perhaps due to increased errand-running, phone calls, and the like. Others enjoy the challenge of tackling a variety of subjects. As well, talking, writing, and studying can be good ways to handle stress.

Mercury is retrograde from July 25/26 to August 19th: All Mercury retrograde cycles particularly affect you in terms of your personal presentation or image to others and communications with family because Mercury rules these areas of your life. Because Mercury is your sign's ruler, all of the common Mercury Retrograde issues may apply. Put off making important decisions with regards to family and domestic matters (♍Virgo-ruled for you) just now, and take care when it comes to communicating with family members.

Occurring in your solar third house this time, extra care should be exercised when it comes to composing letters, emails, making phone calls, and with communications in general. There may be the need to revisit old, nagging issues with siblings or neighbors, errands could go wrong, you might have trouble getting from point A to point B (example, transportation problems), emails or letters get lost, and so forth. Idle chit- chatting during this period may have repercussions! People might be misunderstanding your words. You may be forgetful during this cycle, and it makes sense to allow yourself extra time to get to appointments, if they are not cancelled in the first place! It would also be wise to double-check your work and communications before sending them off.

Mars: Energy, Drive, Courage

All month: Mars continues to energize your solar eighth house. This is a less outwardly assertive or aggressive stage for you as you take the time to process recent events in your life and to develop strategies for going after what you want in the future. You are more observant than active during this cycle, and more strategic and deliberate when you do take action. There may be an increase in sexual appetite now. It's an excellent period for eliminating wasteful activities. Shared finances can come into focus, and you might feel an increased need to take charge of these matters. This could lead to disputes and disagreements if you are not careful or sensitive in your dealings with others.

Mars is retrograde from June 26-August 27 All Mars retrograde cycles particularly affect you in terms of your friendships, group associations, networking, business income, and dreams/wishes because Mars rules these areas of your life in your solar chart. Challenges are possible now. Enthusiasm for generating business income, for group or community activities, and/or friendships may wane, perhaps due to some problems or setbacks in these areas of life. You may be temporarily confused about long-term goals.

From June 26-August 12 Occurring in your solar eighth house this time, enthusiasm for intimate and sharing matters, in general, may wane, perhaps due to some problems or setbacks in these areas of life. Intimate matters may become more intense and complicated. Joint financial projects or initiatives may stall, or you could find that you are less confident about expressing yourself in personal ways. A lover or yourself may especially intense or obsessive.

Ambiguity with finances, particularly debts and shared money or resources, could dominate now. There can be the magnification of fears and phobias, unexplored desires, and addictions now. Refocus, backtracking, and review become necessary and recommended. You could be exploring anger and assertion over deeply buried matters, and learning to better manage your life on an emotional level.