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.