We're just coming off the Gemini New Moon. Normally, I'd say it's time to connect and gather with friends and family. This is usually an effervescent energy for social gatherings, conversation and intellectual exchanges of information as well as fun and games.

This year the retrograde of Venus in Gemini along with Neptune aspects says that the summer season is getting off on a more tentative step as we test the waters of the social climate. We know it’s due to Covid, but because the Gemini energy wants to buzz around like busy little bees there's a confusion, haze and caution about just how we go about making our connections. There's a certain amount of paranoia, fear and hesitation about traveling and reaching out to touch someone. We are being re-educated on how to reconnect with friends and loved ones. We are also rethinking the education system for our children, as well as personal learning on how to use technology. It's important to gain more knowledge of the digital world that we will need to depend on so much more in our daily social and work life. The road is slow and steady with opening up the country, and the choices you make to open up your life. We are being assaulted by more and more information in a daily barrage of briefings and we have to assimilate much that is new and uncharted. You must learn to discern fact from fiction and there's more and more blurring of the boundaries on a daily basis. You have to reprogram the logical mind to be more vigilant about everyday truth and common sense, while also being more creative in adapting to new opportunities.

Let the Gemini energy stimulate your curiosity and imagination to try and test new things. If you've been too much of a couch potato take a Zoom exercise, yoga or meditation class. Learn a foreign language, or take up some new hobby that can be done on your time schedule through online classes.

We are heading towards eclipse season and the heightened sensitivities will start to be felt in new ways as we adapt to new communities and social gatherings. Be patient, don't judge others too harshly and think very, very carefully before voicing an opinion or criticizing others. You may not have all the information so don't go on the attack until you know all the facts. Gemini represents the air we breathe and it can be deadly right now, but it needn't be if you remain alert and flexible. This is a mutable sign, so its job and function is to adapt and learn.
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I can't stress how important it is to be in touch with your imagination and stretch the mind into something more creative. Even if you fail, you really won't, because in making paradigm shifts any failure is a lesson towards advancing to something new. A new road or path is always one step forward, two steps back and that's what the energy is all about right now, so don't feel defeated if the first attempt at something doesn't bring the result you want. Gemini energy is always about trying, doing or saying anything at least twice!
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,The Sun in Gemini will only emphasize the current retrograde of Venus in Gemini.  Issues of communication, facts, figures and truth are heightened now.  The Sun in Gemini wants to shine the light on the truth but with Venus currently retrograde and squaring Neptune there's going to be much confusion, obfuscation and downright lying coming down the pike from yourself and others.  Issues will be clouded and important information will be left out of conversations and communications whether intentionally or not.  Some will maliciously and consciously lie to get their way, but in most other cases it will be about misunderstandings and misinterpretations.  It's necessary the rest of May and June to repeat yourself in order to get the point across.  Double check all work and if you don't get an answer that is satisfying then make another call, send another text, have a second conversation or write another email and see if the second time around is the charm.  Starting this Friday, it's a good time to reschedule important things that were delayed due to the Coronavirus.  

Things will really start to heat up after the new moon on Friday, May 22nd.  From that point onwards be alert and pay attention.  Have your radar on high alert and be more aware of your immediate environment.  We are entering eclipse season so everything becomes heightened and more highly sensitized.  If you continue to be in lockdown this is a time when whoever you're living with will only get more on your nerves unless you clear the air with honest, truthful and direct conversation.  The more you bury resentments and harbor grudges the more that buried energy will rear its ugly head at a later date.  A heated debate may be what is called for but don't let the energy veer towards a screaming and yelling match.  Let each person have their say and make sure to put on your listening ears when needed.  

There have been three major planetary retrogrades this week that are important in the scheme of how to deal with the next few months. Retrograde planets are always about reviewing how to solve issues regarding what those planets represent in our life. Often it's a review of the past and how to make important changes. When the planet turns direct we can implement those changes after careful review, consideration, revaluation and reeducation.

Saturn turned retrograde on May 11. This planet rules the structures of daily life and concerns itself with career, authority, responsibilities, rules and regulations. Through September 29 we have to review all the structures in our life and make slow adjustments and changes to everything that has supported our earthly existence in terms of material achievement and security. Old structures need to be revised; some torn down and others built up. That which is working for you will need to be tweaked while that which is not working may need to be totally scrapped in order to lay a new foundation. Traditions are changing. What is ossified will break. There is an awareness of that which is broken in life so the retrograde is a critical self analysis of repairing the cracks and putting in some hard work and effort. Take an adult responsibility about the difficult changes staring you in the face.

Venus turned retrograde on May 13. This is a careful review and consideration on how you'll want to be socializing with others. Venus is the law of attraction, partnership, relationships, love, affection, money, values and talent. It's time to rethink and reevaluate how you will approach new ways of social interaction. This retrograde lasts through June 25. It's important to revise your thinking on all these subjects and take a more logical approach since the sign of the retrograde is in Gemini. This is about reeducating yourself on new ways to relate and new ways to make money. How up to date are you in using social media and digital technology? This is an important two months to learn new skills and update all computer, phones and technological gadgets at your disposal. Learn how to attend a Zoom meeting and become smarter on how to re-establish social contacts at a distance. Because everything is starting to open up this is a slow reconsideration of how to make physical contact with others and reengaging in the pleasure principle. Everyone is on a different schedule. Some may distance themselves more while others will want to go back to an old way of socializing. Everyone should re-evaluate their finances and take steps to insure future security as best as possible. It's a time to re-educate yourself on many matters but especially issues of love, money and pleasure. Close personal and business relationships will either bloom and blossom or come to a realization that they must end. Those decisions will be made at the end of June and into July.

Jupiter turned retrograde on May 14. This is about a reassessment of your philosophies and belief systems. Jupiter is the planet of growth, optimism, enthusiasm, luck, outreach and confidence. The internal transit of this planet says your philosophies need a reboot. It's important to reconsider your religious and spiritual beliefs for guidance to help you through hard times. This is an inner quest and adventure into restructuring your heart and inner faith. Jupiter brings abundance and refills the horn of Plenty. Where and how can you redefine the meaning of abundance once again, even in times of adversity. It’s time to look for new meaning and explanations to formulate into concrete principles that can be applied to the practical side of life. Jupiter provides the confidence to rebuild your life in Capricorn’. Saturn may be tearing down structures but Jupiter will introduce new guidance and paths to rebuild the walls and structures of your life. What new possibilities and paths are there? Jupiter says if you put some effort into rebuilding your life there will be some serendipity when you least expect it. There is a new purpose and there is an area in life where that purpose will be revealed in more benevolent and optimistic ways. This planet turns direct on September 13.

It's important by the fall to be ready to implement all your plans for a new life that is unfolding. Saturn wants you to be cautious and Jupiter wants you to take some risks. Life is a balancing act of constriction and expansion.

Saturday, May 9, 2020.  Saturn turns retrograde.  This week three planets turn retrograde.  The first is Saturn which turns retrograde at 1.57 ° Aquarius on May 11, followed by Venus at 21.50° Gemini on May 13 and finally Jupiter at 27.15° Capricorn on May 14. 

Let’s focus on Saturn.  Saturn is the lord of karma and rules how we structure our life.  It’s about taking personal responsibility towards achievement, accomplishment and building security in the material world.  It represents the legacy we leave on the planet.  His style is through honest and diligent hard work and effort.  He pushes us to strive towards climbing the ladder of success through hard work, focus, discipline and by making mistakes.  Mistakes are a great teacher that humbles and brings us to our knees.  Some buckle under the fear and pressure while others overcompensate and use the lessons of Saturn to grow and achieve.  His methods are often through blocks, delays, repression, oppression and depression but his ultimate goal is to make us better people by highlighting what is wrong in our life and focusing on self-improvement so that we become stronger, more accomplished and professional.  He puts pressure on us in the sign and area of life that demands our attention.  He rewards after the lessons are learned and worked through or he brings failure.  The failure usually occurs if we are not putting in the proper effort, or that which we think we need is something that no longer aids our growth.  If that’s the case then Saturn takes it away because there is a better way even if you disagree.  That’s when he causes the most pain. 

He demands honesty and doesn’t like short cuts.  He doesn’t reward those looking for the easy way out or that cheat, lie or break the law.  He always makes us initially focus on what’s wrong in order to improve the issues at hand.  He presents us with challenges and hurdles.  He’s about endings and limitations.  An old way of life has to end, break or alter in order for the structures as dictated by the sign, house or planetary aspects to improve.   

Saturn entered Aquarius at the Spring equinox and that coincided with the restrictions to our freedom and independence and the blocks put on society by instilling the new rule of law of social distancing.  Aquarius is about society and the infrastructures that keep society running smoothly.  Saturn brought out all the flaws in our society with a glaring and harsh light.  The instrument used to show us that we need a huge humanitarian shift is the Covid-10 pandemic. 

The retrograde has a lot to do with revisiting an old way of doing things.  We’ve learned that our social interaction has drastically been stifled and now we slowly and cautiously are trying to reestablish some familiar routine and structure by going back to the old ways, while being consciously aware that there are new rules that must be adapted.  Astrology is a beautiful tool for timing and giving us the weather forecast.  What is going on this week is the country trying to go back to business as usual by opening up.  The retrograde indicates that we want to go back to the old way of doing things and reopen the economy.  Saturn, along with Jupiter, rule the principle of constriction and expansion, hence they are the two planets that rule the economy and as Jupiter turns retrograde later this week these two titans will play a balancing act in trying to get the economy slowly growing again. 

This social and economic shift is going to be even more extreme as Saturn retrogrades back into the sign of Capricorn on July 1st.  The first wave of reopening is now, with an even bigger wave on July 1.  What we don’t want to do on this retrograde is to become complacent.  Just because things seem to be getting better doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be concerned any longer.  The worst thing we can do is have a false sense of security, especially if things seem to be calming down.  This brings me to the second use of this retrograde.  Saturn’s purpose is to make sure that structures and infrastructures are in place and fortified, made stronger and buttressed so that we are better prepared for a second wave once he turns direct on September 29 and more importantly re-enters Aquarius on December 17.  There’s an enormous amount of internal work that needs to done. 

Saturn in Aquarius has made us painfully aware that we need to progress to a new phase in society.  There is a revolution afoot no matter who you ask even though everyone has a distinct view on what the revolution is.  For some the revolution is about upholding the traditions of past that have been in place for centuries while for others it’s about smashing those broken traditions that don’t serve society as a whole while establishing new more innovative and progressive principles.  It’s never one or the other.  Saturn always demands a compromise. 
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What you can use Saturn for personally is to reexamine the area of your life that must be restructured in order to stay viable and relevant during the evolutionary change affecting society.  Do not become complacent.  Be a parent to yourself by taking responsibility to implement the necessary changes and restrictions so that you’re prepared in the fall and winter when you’ll have to put new plans into action.  The success of the action you take later this year is highly dependent on how you use the retrograde to restructure, re-examine, redevelop and reconsider what your long term goals are.  The practical goal for everyone should be towards trying to remain afloat by building a new daily routine.  Our daily routine keeps us in line and on track.  The train tracks need to be readjusted, realigned and newly laid down.  We know what the lessons are and now each of us has to do our homework.  It’s not easy and some have it much harder than others.  Not everything is fixable.  For many there will be great pain and suffering.  Sometimes Saturn demands a complete ending before the new beginning, and sometimes it’s about fixing and making adjustments to what’s already in place.  You have a pretty good idea of which it is in your life.  The retrograde will help you become more aware of whether you need to fix and make adjustments or completely start all over.  We have 5 months to do our homework and the final exam comes after that time.   Will your report card show that you get an A, B, C or F?  Saturn is Father Time and the clock is being reset.  Listen to your personal internal clock; rewind and reset it accordingly. 

The Scorpio Full Moon culminates early Thursday morning at 6:45 (EST). We've been feeling the build up all week and it will last through Friday and perhaps linger through the weekend.

The Scorpio Full Moon is always one of the more notoriously challenging lunations. Full Moons bring things to light and out in the open for better or worse. Often we have epiphanies, revelations and the energy is heightened in a more emotional way.

The sign of Scorpio likes to keep things undercover, hidden, mysterious and maintain a highly controlled atmosphere. The full moon is a time where one can lose control. There will be a give and take as to whether you must loosen the reins of control or clamp down. This full moon can be more emotionally volcanic. Hidden agendas and hidden motives are revealed. That which has been simmering and percolating underneath the surface comes out in more intense ways. The person, problem, situation, challenge or issue that you've been sweeping under the carpet and ignoring far too long will no longer remain in the dark recesses of your mind, body or heart. There's a tendency for whatever it is to awaken like a gorgon medusa. This is zombie and vampire energy. It demands to be heard, listened to, acknowledged and loved. Your shadow side needs some love and affection so give it a big hug.

This is a time when stimulus checks are arriving and finances are being transformed, therefore a high sense of negotiating new deals is in the air. Scorpio rules the shit of life so it can all come to the surface on this full moon. This is a very Dorian Gray type of energy so when you look into the mirror what will your soul reveal back to you? Be prepared to be honest with yourself. Whatever comes up that you don't like presents you with an opportunity to transform that energy.

Positive Scorpio energy is a commitment to passionate creativity and seeking ways to recreate power, love, passion, trust and loyalty in your life. Emotional processing and intimacy make this a lunation capable of making transformative positive changes. You can't be afraid to go to the dark places. Become aware of trusting others who are there to support and lend a helping hand. This sign is very loyal and committed to the emotional health of themselves and others. Where do you support others and where are you supported by others? It's a give and take and shouldn't be one sided. Everyone brings something to the table and you'll be called on to bring your talent and support to situations where you can make a difference.

Of course be aware of negative emotions such as betrayal, jealousy, obsession, addiction and murderous instincts. It is the sign of blood and guts. These are normal feelings so don't disown them but try to process them in healthy ways. Watch an action move, read a murder mystery or just vent and gossip with friends who understand the venting process. Study an arcane art such as tarot or astrology. Take responsibility for your emotional health and well being.

Venus squares Neptune. This is the first of three transiting squares between these two planets, the others perfecting on May 20 and July 27. This is because Venus will retrograde in Gemini on May 13 and will go over the same degrees of the zodiac three times. Retrograde planets forming aspects three times says that we have important lessons to learn pertaining to the meaning of the two planets involved. A square aspect brings conflict and tension. These two planets get along based upon temperament. Venus rules the law of attraction, close relationships, love and affection, beauty, money, possessions and innate talent. Neptune is the higher aspect of Venus so whereas Venus concerns itself with matters of love on the earth plane and has a more personal tone, Neptune is about unconditional love that transcends personal boundaries of what one wants, desires and must have. Venus on her negative side can be bitchy, selfish, narcissistic and personally indulgent.

A square aspect says the two planets are in conflict causing strife, stress and friction and they must solve challenges in order to grow and create something greater. That’s when the square is used at its best. At its worst, the square aspect brings to light the same challenges but the person cannot for some reason bring to consciousness constructive ways to work with the aspect and therefore caves in to the more negative combination of energies. Of course sometime the negativity may be brought into one’s life via unforeseen situations and people. Our destiny sometimes seems to be in our control and other times out of our control.
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We have three opportunities to review what these beautiful planets mean and can help us learn. When the friction arises the positive version of these planets suggests using one’s imagination in more creative ways. Relationships can become more spiritual, deeper and transcend mundane, everyday routine. Perhaps an illness causes a surrender of pettiness and fosters deeper intimacy and appreciation of another. This aspect can be the dissolve and loss of money leading to a sense of feeling lost at sea and losing one’s essential core of self-worth, self-esteem and inherent internal value. The translation into a loss of money can cause one to feel a sense of hopelessness. Because of this, one’s work has the potential to be infused with more imagination through a conscious effort towards allowing in the higher octave of creativity. Many, through no fault of their own, will be thrust into situations where they must create new ways to make money and tap into their creative potential. In these cases the imagination must infuse their talent to create hitherto unforeseen ways of earning. It’s about taking loss, disillusionment and creating new magic, music and poetry. Yes, one can create these literally if those are the professions in which you work, but I’m talking about listening to the inner muses within to recreate the magic, poetry and music that runs through the inner fabric of all that we do to create beauty, art and life here on earth no matter what our profession. Venus affords us the luxury to live well and Neptune supplies the inspiration. Spirituality and meditation are ways that help open the third eye to see something greater within that can be shared without.

When one is suffering from depression, this aspect can easily slip into negative behavioral patterns such as indulgence in sex, drugs, and alcohol. One’s sense of reality is totally skewed towards fantasy, illusion and unreality in overly sensitized and heightened ways. Lies and deception can abound when it comes to meeting new people or pulling the wool over someone’s eyes. People can easily fall prey to financial scams and get rich quick schemes so if something seems too good to be true, more than likely it is.

One of the highest manifestations of this energy is unconditional love and compassionate surrender towards helping others in less fortunate circumstances. It’s not necessarily about giving the shirt of your back or the last ten bucks in your pocket but showing kindness, empathy, caring and tenderness towards others through selfless actions of sharing what you have with others without expecting anything in return.

Dream big; yet the conundrum is whether or not those dreams can eventually manifest or will they merely be castles in the air. We have several months to work through this.