How Goes It?

Whoa. What else can we say?! The trickle-down effect of the big stage comes into our personal lives, and I would bet that many are experiencing some very real difficulties and painful moments. This combination of planetary aspects is too complicated to try and explain here, but don’t be surprised to see many skeletons coming out of closets, dire warnings, atypically violent or explosive behaviors and things that are just plain not logical. As we barrel toward the year 2012 (yes, it is a valid year for astrological/astronomical major events and rarities), we are locked into a powerful eight-year cycle that is only halfway finished. We are at the maximum point now, where our greatest nightmares may be coming up to shake our hands and we may be rushing to the local therapist or doctor thinking, “There’s a pill for that!”

We are swallowing bitter pills now, collectively. Let’s not get into the blame game or buy into the “Divide and Conquer” mentality. Before we throw up our hands and figure that the best second language to learn now is Chinese, we need to come out of Panic mode and start simplifying. Fear and greed are powerful forces, and both are the foundations of rage.

Mercury goes direct next week, so let’s not make any major decisions now. We need to ride it out. Hang tight, there is more to come and we don’t have sufficient information to act decisively yet. Let’s keep our focus close to home now, count our blessings and watch this Globalization, One Planet One People reality shake down.

Aries (March 21- April 19): Your Ruler Mars has entered your sector of intimacy, making for a possible time of actively seeking out a new mate or amping up the volume of romance with your current sweetheart. What else is there to do, given the explosive times and the turmoil that surrounds us? Hopefully, you are keeping everything at bay and striking a balance. This week looks better than last week for you personally, but that pesky retrograde Mercury is still dogging everyone.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20): Your sector of partnership is very active now, with Venus and now Mars occupying that sector. You could be trying to solve a mystery or get to the bottom of something that just isn’t setting well. Mercury is still retrograde in your sector of work and health, so keep a close watch on any physical problems you may have. You artistic Little Bulls may be stalled out in sales, so diversify your work. Bulls working in the financial sector are likely to be on top of things, as you are naturally cautious.

Gemini (May 21- June 20): While last week brought some travel and possibly reunions, this week brings about a different mix of focus due to Mars’ movement into your sector of work and health. Watch it now, because Mars rules inflammation and infections. Get your flu shot and take good care of your immune system so you don’t suffer from being worn out. Your Ruler Mercury is still retrograde in your sector of children, love affairs and creative expression so expect the unexpected!

Cancer (June 21 – July 22): While Mercury is still retrograde in your sector of Home, there are other things occupying your mind. It’s difficult to juggle everything on your plate and you may feel ready to throw in the towel. This is a very emotional period for you and you may be having great difficulties keeping your emotions under control. Get the necessary help you need and don’t overload yourself. The good news is, benevolent Jupiter along with Mars and Venus are on your side, setting the atmosphere for you to stay on task.

Leo (July 23 – August 22): Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you’ve noticed that these past few weeks have seen very intense activity with a liberal dose of drama thrown in. Although your sign is earmarked for drama (yours is the sign of the showman), you are more concerned with quality than fluff. Hold back on anything major and just stay tuned. Mercury is still retrograde, and Venus and Mars have set up camp in your sector of Home, so a lot of your focus will be there.

Virgo (August 23 – September 21): There is so much going on that you likely can’t make heads or tails of it. This retrograde Mercury has been a nasty one and you may be either finding fault with yourself or everyone around you for what’s gone wrong. With Saturn in your sign barreling into a nasty opposition with chaotic Uranus, you’d be best just keeping your head down and spending a lot of time in the library or some other quiet place! Chin up, this too shall pass.

Libra (September 22 – October 23): Well. With Mercury retrograde in your sign, this has likely been a confounding time for you, trying to juggle everything happening around you and/or to you. This wrench in the works snarls up the focus in your financial sector, where Venus and Mars are now pulling attention. Your sign typically likes to be in charge, but right now you’re not in the driver’s seat. Legal issues and some other ugly stuff may be the order of the day, so you’ll have to listen and learn, but hang in there. This will pass, as everything does.

Scorpio (October 24- November 22): Venus and Mars now occupy your sign, giving you an extra boost where it’s needed, but watch that stinging tail of yours! Mercury is still retrograde and at its highest point of troublemaking. The actions of others are likely to get your knickers in a knot. Hold your fire until you have all the fact, then come up from underneath if a fight is necessary. You may be experiencing very dark moods now, and if you need help with them, read the classic philosophers to glean information about the human condition.

Sagittarius (November 23 – December 20): This is the time for you to stay put. You need rest! Let Mercury finish its retrograde before you make any more plans or try to put something together. Mars and Venus in your sector of Endings are forcing you to see previously hidden skeletons in your closet and your normally sunny nature is clouded with doubt. Hang back, get in touch with your nearest and dearest, and ride this out. It will end, but not today.

Capricorn (December 21 – January 21): With Mars and Venus occupying your sector of friendships and goals, you might want to look up old friends and see if you can get together. This retrograde Mercury in your sector of career and advancement has knocked you into a corner, but you don’t have to sit with the Dunce Cap on. Turn your attention toward your friends, because they are the ones that make your heart sing. These are very difficult and stressful times, but you don’t have to jump into the fray.

Aquarius (January 22 – February 20): It is very likely that you are misinterpreting other people and events around you, so be content to observe and suspend judgment. You like to be right, and you tend to analyze everything but with this icky retrograde Mercury, your conclusions are going to be skewed. If you don’t know that something is an absolute fact, don’t state it as such. Your opinions do matter, but know that an opinion is not a fact and right now folks want the facts. This is, in general, a difficult time for everyone.

Pisces (February 21 – March 20): Mars and Venus have joined hands in your sector of expansion/travel/spirituality. Mercury is retrograde in your sector of intimacy, triggering possible explosions. To quote Dr. Phil (sorry), you can’t change what you don’t acknowledge; you are the only one you can change for the better, so use this time to hunt down bad habits and make a conscious choice to do something different to get out of a rut. Easy does it, Pisces!