Mercury Retrograde in Virgo 12th August until 5th September 2017

Mercury turns Retrograde in Virgo on 12th August (11 degrees) and turns direct on 5th September in in Leo (28 degrees) so coincides powerfully with the Leo Solar Eclipse on 21st. The effects may start to be felt now, with an intensified pre shadow retrograde influence from 8th-11th August and in intensified post direct influence from 6th to 12th September. By 20th September everything will feel back to normal. Virgo is ruled by Mercury so this Retrograde is likely to be strong and with Mercury in opposition to Neptune, confusion, mistrust, mis communication, fuzzy thinking, mix ups with schedules all heightened. On the plus side re visiting, re writing, re scheduling, re organising are all good as earthy Virgo is practical and likes to sort things out. Getting out old photos, reading old emails, re making or rebuilding could be constructive. Mercury Retrograde is a good time to slow down and reflect, 'pause for thought' effect. Retrogrades increase the chances of machinery, technological or communication breakdowns, mix ups with dates and plans, along with more travel disruption. Time often feels slower and set backs and delays mean it's wise to leave extra time for travel and to be equipped in case you're stuck somewhere i.e water, food, a coat, a good book and even a torch or matches (dull but useful.) Virgo is perfectionist, can be obsessive, analytical and shy, so introversion, focusing on details or obsessively putting things in order are all accentuated. As always but especially with this Mercury Retrograde, think carefully before you speak, re read any posts or emails before hitting that send button and take care with the words you choose as criticisms can hurt and arguments could lead to relationship breakdowns. With the lunar eclipse on 7th August do be aware that any deceptions could come to the surface over the following months, so generally with this Mercury Retrograde, think before you act. All common sense really!

New Moon in Leo, Sunday 23rd July 2017

Today's New Moon at 0 degrees Leo is strongly energised by Mars. Moon conjunct Mars is fiery, passionate, playful, creative and in the mood for action. New Moons are always good for instigating change or doing something new. With Moon/Mars square Uranus a rebellious edge could be added to the influence, along with impatience, restlessness and impulsiveness. Moon square Uranus is innovative and could cause erratic moods or irritability. These influences although potentially volatile are also fun and crave excitement. Some people may deliberately act in ways for the shock value. Uranus relates to technology and science so breakthroughs could occur in these areas. The grand fire trine between Saturn in Sagittarius, Uranus in Aries and Moon, Mars in Leo following through in August is exciting overall. Unusually there are two new moons in a row this year in Leo, the next is the more powerful Solar Eclipse on 21^st August. But before writing about this I will follow up with Mercury Retrograde updates and the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius on 7^th August.

Full Moon 9th July 2017

This Sunday 9th July at 5:06 am London time, there is an incredibly intense Full Moon at 17 degrees Capricorn conjunct Pluto in Capricorn. So things are heating up (think Gordon Ramsey, hell's kitchen!) Pluto is a powerful planet that is extreme, deep, linked death, rebirth, transformation, taboos, crisis, manipulation. So although in Capricorn this Full Moon will feel more Scorpionic. The usual build up of emotions, anger, strange dreams, restlessness, sensitivity are all likely to have been experienced in the last few weeks. And this influence can expect to be felt for around 2 weeks after 9th. As the Moon conjunct Pluto is in opposition to the Sun and Mars in Cancer, pent up anger or repressed feelings or resentment could come to the surface and result in arguments or power struggles. What concerns me about this Full Moon is the potential increase in crazy, aggressive drivers on the road or people simply looking for a fight or to cause damage or worse. Pluto in opposition to Mars is war like, destructive, passionate, aggressive. Jealousy fuelled or competitive drunken fights between alpha males with this hot, balmy weather is how this Full Moon potentially feels. Sun (one self) in opposition to Pluto could represent an inner fight, negative self esteem or self destruction. On an emotional level Pluto in opposition to Mars can be manipulative, possessive, obsessive ('bee in the bonnet') Moon in opposition to Mars in Cancer may be moody, short tempered, critical, hyper sensitive. So an intense, dramatic Full Moon which feels like skeletons could come out of the closet or things could become explosive or dangerous. So please take extra care everyone and avoid being alone in risky places or with strangers (ruthless sexual predator energy/violence heightened) or where there are too many people. Try not to over react or take extreme action as things will feel different once the Moon starts to wane towards the Full Moon. Sorry to sound like the messenger of fear. On a positive note Moon conjunct Pluto can be cathartic, great for detoxing and deep transformation. There is a positive fire trine between Uranus in Aries, Saturn in Sagittarius and the North Node in Leo so a sense of excitement and freedom and inspiration looking towards future actions is indicated. The Lunar and Solar eclipses in August are going to be particularly lovely ones, so something to look forward to.

Full Moon 9th June 2017

Today's Full Moon in Sagittarius is conjunct (close to) Saturn in challenging angle to Neptune. This could be felt in a variety of ways. Sagittarius is direct & often blunt, so even normally diplomatic people may not mince their words. Sagittarius is energetic so some people may feel more energetic than normal as a few examples. Full Moons generally amplify emotions, put matters under a spotlight, bring things to the surface or reveal that which has been buried or hidden. The truth may come out in (Sagittarius) and hard lessons may be illuminated (Saturn). The Full Moon in Sagittarius at 18° (decan 2) could help focus a variety of areas into a single goal. Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter a fortuitous, future orientated planet is also turning direct today after being Retrograde for months. So Sagittarius 's fiery optimism or feeling hopeful about the future may be experienced. Even if Moon/Saturn has a sobering effect for others as relationships & justice msy be themes with Jupiter direct in Libra. Neptune in aspect to this Full Moon/Saturn may be confusing or may make it hard for some to tell fiction ftom fantasy over the next few weeks. But the truth will come out. Its a magical opportunity to move forward with integrity which can bring new positive changes ahead. Abundance & serendipity with Jupiter direct are possible in the coming 4nths as things finally start happening or flowing. It reminds me if the 8 wands upright card euth the Wheel of Fortune upright in the tarot with Sag/Jupiter & perhaps the Hermit to represent wise Saturn.

Libra Full Moon on 11th April 2017

The Moon is Fullest in Libra (21 degrees) on Tuesday 11th April at 7am London time conjunct Jupiter. So the usual stranger dreams than usual and heightened emotions and sensitivity is likely. As the Sun in Aries is conjunct Uranus in opposition to Libra Moon conjunct Jupiter, optimism or erratic mood swings may be felt strongly. Libra is ruled by Venus the planet of love and creativity. So exaggerated feelings of love and a desire for harmony and balance in relationships is possible on the plus side.

Venus and Mercury are retrograde though. So however strongly one's desire to change things may be, it's wisest to think or plan but delay rather than act now. Jupiter is quite a forward thinking planet so reviewing and feeling a desire to change the future may be strong. Wait a few weeks and see if you still feel that way and then wait a bit longer to be sure. Libra can be notoriously indecisive like Pisces.Libra Full Moon opposition Uranus with Venus retrograde could manifest as a sudden or full on desire to create or return to a past love or passion is possible(Venus retrograde). Don't worry if old memories have been returning in the past month with Venus retrograde and especially in the last several days with the waxing Moon, or dreams about past relationships (Libra Full Moon, Venus retrograde) which may be confusing or unsettling. Understand these are just a few possible influences.

Mercury Retrograde in Taurus begins tomorrow on 9th April until 4th May, so be prepared for the usual slowing of time, miscommunications, misunderstandings, travel disruptions, delays and machinery breakdowns to continue until around 20th May. Hold off buying new items if possible as you may need to return them. Read any small print extra carefully before signing documents during Mercury Retrograde or get important verbal communications in email too, as a back up. Repeat appointment times and dates to be sure there are no misunderstandings. Taurus is creative but practical and a sign that needs security. Mercury Retrograde in Taurus could be experienced as thinking about creative ways to make money or use one's resources, re working projects, rewriting creative pieces, reviewing building work or replanning garden landscapes, re recording samples or reviewing financial or physical security as just a few examples.

Full Moon in Virgo 12th March 2017

Full Moon in Virgo 22 degrees on 12th March 2017 at 2:53pm, London. The usual general Full Moon effects of insomnia, broken sleep, weird dreams, increased emotions (anger, upset, restlessness, impatience, feeling crazier) are all possible. Virgo is an earthy, practical, reliable, diligent, intelligent, analytical, sign which has a tendency to be shy, modest, over worry, be perfectionist (even OCD), with excess nervous energy. Virgo can also be a harsh critic (of one self, as well of others). Virgo is ruled by Mercury and as Mercury, the planet of thoughts and communication (in Pisces) is square Saturn, a harsh inner voice directed at oneself, negative thoughts, words or criticisms towards others or oneself is possible. Things may seem a lot worse than they are with this Full Moon whose effects may feel strongest for the next four or five days. And with serious Saturn square this Moon additional feelings of worry and unworthiness may consume people. As Chiron the planet of wounds is close to Mercury in Pisces and Venus is retrograde, old painful thoughts or nostalgic memories from the past may keep resurfacing. Be aware these are just influences you can rise above. Whenever there is a Full Moon it is opposite the Sun which is presently in Pisces. There may be a pull between reality (Virgo) and dreams (Pisces). Venus is also Retrograde until April 15th so re viewing love, appearance, aesthetics, creativity and finances (all Venusian areas) are all possible. Retrograde periods cause us to go inwards and reflect, to look back and re evaluate. During this Full Moon period with Mercury square Saturn and the Moon opposite the Sun, Mercury and Chiron in Pisces any big conversations may be wiser to delay for at least four days, after things have cleared. Pluto in positive trine to this Virgo Moon should help release, clear out, cleanse and transform any deep negative emotions. And once a week has passed hopefully many people will feel ready to look at new things they wish to do and achieve moving toward the New Moon in Aries on 27th, full of gusto, excitement and energy.

26th February 2017 Solar Eclipse, New Moon in Pisces

On Sunday 26th February at 2:58 pm (London time) there is a Solar Eclipse, Pisces New Moon at 8 degrees. New Moons are a good time for clearing, setting new intentions or for inventing new chapters. The Sun, Moon, Mercury, Mars, Neptune, South Node and Chiron will all be in Pisces which is a sweet, mutable, dreamy, sensitive sign notorious for being passive, confused or indecisive. Solar Eclipses are a powerful opportunity to harness the New Moon energy to catalyse change. A solar eclipse is when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth. This Pisces Solar Eclipse is about the creative force of imagination, nostalgia (especially as conjunct the South Node) and higher consciousness. If you want to access sacred inspiration and transcend the mundane, musical or artistic sources may assist. Leonardo de Vinci and Michaelangelo were both born with their Moons in Pisces in the first decan (within 10 degrees) so are good examples to highlight the stroke of creative and imaginative genius that is possible with first Decan Moon in Pisces. It is also a mystical, spiritual New Moon which suggests to even dream, fantasise or creatively visualise new possibilities (even if undecided exactly where you want to go), is a a good start. It is important to remind you that Neptune the ruler of Pisces is a strong influence which means idealism, sensitivity, sentimentality and poetic longings are possible. With Mars, Venus and Uranus in fiery Aries in opposition to Jupiter in Libra, extreme passion, ardour or excitement may also be experienced. Mars in opposition to Jupiter could be felt as daring, go getting energy quite different to the Pisces emphasis during this Solar Eclipse. It really depends how this passionate or sexual energy is directed. Mars conjunct Uranus could be quite electric or innovative. So a 'hit' song could be written quickly, a poet or artist could be struck by 'the muse' and produce a spontaneous work of beauty or some people may simply feel restless, anticipation in the air but not know what to do with this energy, to name but a few examples.It's important to mention the potential negative side of Pisces energy ie negative escapism, victim mentality but hopefully this solar eclipse clearing will allow any one so inclined to imagine change or what they wish to break free especially with the helpful Mars, Uranus in Aries aspect.