18 April, 4.06 pm : Mercury turns Retrograde

I don't know about you, but for a couple of weeks before Mercury turns retrograde, there appears to be a distinct feeling that things aren't going quite to plan.

With Mercury, all matters dealing with communication - whether written or spoken - are highlighted. Trade and commerce, transport, papers, contracts and files are also under Mercury's influence. When retrograde, messages get garbled, instructions misunderstood, files lost, travel delayed.

In the days before its turn, this is often referred to as it's "shadow period", in that during the upcoming cycle, the Messenger of the Gods retraces his steps to a point that he has already trod. Think back to what you were doing the first 18 days of April - chances are that whatever was set up or instigated then will at some stage over the next month be revisited and re-evaluated, changed or amended.

With this upcoming current Mercury retrograde period, Mercury travels through the earthy sign of Taurus, reaches almost to the half-way point and then on the 18th April stops, to return to that point it first occupied on the 4th April. It's the practical details of life that need to be checked here; flexibility and adaptability to changing circumstances in what is normally considered to be a very fixed and inflexible sign will be needed during this period. The well-known Taurean patience will be sorely tested!

If you're about to enter into an agreement, prepare now for the eventuality that may see you revisit what you have agreed or signed. Keep the relevant files handy for future reference, ensure you computer back up system is operating - all these things are susceptible under a Mercury retrograde. If travelling, check your tickets, confirm time schedules.

The 're' part of 'retrograde' urges us to revise, revisit, reconsider, re-evaluate - that great idea you get during the next three weeks - forget it! Nine times out of 10, by the time Mercury turns direct again (on 12th May) new information will come to hand that will throw a whole new light on your plan and lead you down a more rewarding path.

I'm updating this information during this period - you see, the Mercury energy can also be used constructively. And for me, it often heralds a time when a space opens for me to update that which has been sadly neglected since its previous retrograde period. Getting in touch with the energies and the messages reflected in each planetary cycle is what astrology is all about; and for that knowledge I am forever grateful.

My article Mercury Retrograde gives you lots more information on what you may expect during its retrograde cycle, as well as its upcoming cycles during the year ahead.

20 April 2010: Happy Birthday Taurus!

All Venus ruled star-sign Taureans can start celebrating birthdays from 20 April - 4.29 pm NZST to be exact - as the Sun enters their sign. For this month* all babies born on that day, but before 4.29 pm will be Aries star-signs - the changeover point commonly referred to as being "on the cusp".

21 May 2010: Happy Birthday Gemini!

All Mercury ruled star sign Geminians can start celebrating birthdays from 21 May - 3.34 pm NZST to be exact - as the Sun enters their sign. For this month* all babies born on that day, but before 3.34 pm will be Taurus star-signs - the changeover point commonly referred to as being "on the cusp".

31 May, 6.08 am : Saturn turns Direct
(Refer above entry for 8 April for the full picture)

21 June 2010: Happy Birthday Cancer!

All Moon-ruled star-sign Cancerians can start celebrating birthdays from 21 June - 11.28 pm NZST to be exact - as the Sun enters their sign. For this month* all babies born on that day, but before 11.28 pm will be Gemini star-signs - the changeover point commonly referred to as being "on the cusp".

22 July, 3.10 am : Saturn enters Libra
After a brief entry into the sign of the Scales, at the end of October 2009, he had but travelled a few steps into the sign before turning retrograde in the middle of January 2010. Since then Saturn has slowly been retracing his steps through Libra - the sign of its exaltation - returning to the previous sign of Virgo on 8th April.

So what does this mean?

Saturn is all about needing to give form and structure to all it comes into contact with. In Libra he strives for perfect balance in all areas of his life. What were you doing back in October 2009 through to early April 2010? Whatever it was, Saturn needs to have another look, contemplate on what has transpired over the past 6 months - what needs to be improved, where most do you need to find balance? Your finances? Your work situation? Your relationships? What structures do you need to put in place so that these areas that Saturn touches brings the rewards he promises. You get what you deserve with Saturn - there are no free lunches! Do your homework, check that the foundations have been laid well, and the benefits will be there for you to enjoy.

While the previous weeks may have given you some respite while Saturn travelled through Virgo territory, from 22 July when he settles in for the long haul in Libra, you may need to revisit events and experiences of those months mentioned above.

No matter under which 'star-sign' you are born, Saturn will be crossing some part of your birth chart that is calling for structure and form, calling for a sense of balance in your life. But for those born while the Sun was in the last three degrees of the cardinal signs - Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn - Saturn returning to Libra territory may also be calling on you to re-evaluate your obligations, responsibilities and commitments.

Some thoughts on Pluto's transit through Capricorn . . .

Back in 23 February 2009 I had to smile at that morning's headlines in the New Zealand Herald:

"Tight times are here to stay . . . Finance Minister spells
it out for everyone - restraint is forever"

Forever is a very long time; but with the aid of astrology and knowledge of planetary cycles, astrologers can identify the influences reflecting the current times. Much has been said about the planet Pluto moving into Capricorn as the harbinger of the need to tighten our belts, to make do with less - restraint in all areas of life, particularly our finances.

After entering Capricorn in late January 2008, the signs were all there but perhaps not taken as seriously as they should have. After 6 months, Pluto retrograded back into the previous sign of Sagittarius bringing to light the excesses and greed that had taken place for so long. Pluto in Capricorn is now exacting payment, its effect  becoming palpable from late November 2008 as it settles in for the long haul throughout its sojourn through the sign.

So how long is forever? Pluto's transit through Capricorn lasts until 2024.

But it doesn't need to be all economic doom and gloom. With this comes a positive side; moderation is not all that bad is it? Getting back to basics - to growing your own food and enjoying the freshness and nourishment that comes from that, has got to be good; the establishment of community gardens, of communities working together. Sustainability is another buzzword of our time, respect for our environment and utilising our natural resources without destroying the ecological balance of an area.

Pluto breaks down and eliminates, destroys but in Capricorn it also rebuilds. More than ever before, we need to work with Pluto not against it. For if we don't change with the current times, the change will be made for us.

© Carol Squires 2010