LIBRA

Venus squaring off to the North Node, point of  growth or untapped potential, may have you stimulated by new interests or people but then again the stimulation could be more about a physical attraction.

SCORPIO

The movement of Mars into your solar first house, where he stays for the next six weeks gives you a boost of energy that can be well spent not only furthering your own interests but showing just how good you are.

SAGITTARIUS

If exams or a presentation is due knuckle down and do the work as Mercury’s retrograde motion makes it an ideal time for revising work, editing or proof reading. Anything thing that needs closer evaluation do it now.

CAPRICORN

An association with or help from an older person may assist with that sponsorship deal you have planned. In any case the intervention of someone with more experience is to your benefit.

AQUARIUS

You do like to form your own conclusions but try not to jump the gun on this one. Wait till you have all the facts and figures in front of you before deciding on the course of action to take.

PISCES

You may become pretty vocal over the next few weeks as you are no longer happy standing on the sidelines listening to others. The beliefs and ideas you hold dear are well worth defending so take a stand.

ARIES

Passion heats up as your ruler Mars enters Scorpio and you solar eighth house where he spends the next six weeks. As the eighth house is about others values don’t be surprised if you come into conflict with someone around this area.

TAURUS

Venus squares off to the mystical Neptune this week clouding any relationship issues in uncertainty. Although expectations can be a little unrealistic the artistic side of your nature is heightened if you hear the call.

GEMINI

Mercury still in retrograde motion and squaring off the expansive Jupiter has you feeling optimistic and positive about life. Your plans and ideas may take on a life of their own, by all means indulge yourself but you will come back to planet earth.

CANCER

The start of the week may see you helping or being helped by the women in your life. You will tend to get what you give so your open heartedness builds the rapport you are looking for.

LEO

Six feet tall and bulletproof is how you feel this week so there is the likely hood of you taking on a bit more than you can handle. On the other hand if you have been avoiding some task you may now have the impetus to start or finish it.

VIRGO

Not as keenly attentive to details as you normally are you might easily muddle affairs due to neglecting to observe minor or seemingly inconsequential factors especially when trying to balance the chequebook.

Mercury retrograde

Mercury’s retrograde period lasts around 24 days, normally occurring about 3 times a year. During 2008 these periods were from January 28th until February 19th : May 26th until June 19th and currently from September 24th until October 15th .

Contemporary astrologers use Mercury to show how the intellect and intelligence may develop and also how both may be communicated. How a child learns in its early years is likely to affect its future potential for learning. The most significant early learning experiences generally take place in the home, so after the parents, relationships and communications with siblings are important for future social developments.

The planet’s quicksilver speed connects it with transport, travel and short journeys indicating that his natural function is to make a move. Curiosity, flexibility and the will to travel are some of his core attributes.

When Mercury, or any planet goes retrograde it appears to slow down, come to a halt, and then proceed to reverse its orbital direction (in reality this is an astronomical illusion). This retrograde phase with the planet accustomed to the stability of its normal daily rate of motion now manifests the urge to withdraw from further forward motion and go backwards, crossing over previously transited degrees. From a psychological perspective this retrograde motion symbolises a time in the year when by going back over past experiences we are given the opportunity of  experiencing things differently.

With Mercury retrograde it gives us an opportunity to reflect, meditate and make necessary corrections and modifications. It is a constructive time for re-appraisal, doing the research or planning new activities. It is not the best time for making important decisions or signing documents and papers that finalise a contract or long term commitment. Rather you can expect delays, postponed deliveries, car breakdowns, cancelled or last minute delays to plans or negotiations.

Look back over the year is this how it was for you?