We have entered the Pisces time of year. The last sign of the zodiac before the birth of spring on March 20. This is a period to spend creative time in the imagination when it's at its most fertile. If you can dream it Pisces says, then you can create it, provided you can realize those dreams with the fire of Aries, the grounding of Taurus, the intellect of Gemini and the personal feeling of Cancer. In the long winter months we are prone to have more down time to spiritually question what it is we are after. We lead busy lives, but the Sun in Pisces asks us to get centered in our spiritual purpose and connect to a higher power. That fuel can then be transferred to all areas of earthly existence. Pisces demands a surrender of your personal will to a higher source, and that source is where you derive joy, contentment, vitality and purpose. It's not up to me or anyone else to tell you what that higher power or entity is, but it is up to you to do some soul searching to find out. Then you can live and tap into that energy throughout the rest of the year. Pisces get you in touch with that eternal, everlasting spirit and soul within us all. Pay far more attention to your dreams. Go to sleep with the intention of hearing and listening to the wisdom that comes via the poetic messages of the dream state.

Jupiter is at the degree where it will station direct on September 13. If you have a good memory and Jupiter taps into important energy in your chart then this time period and that time period will be connected in some way. Jupiter usually denotes something benefic so pay attention to these few days and make a mental note as to how it might connect to the September 13th time period.

The warrior planet has entered the sign of its exaltation, Capricorn, where it will remain through the end of March. A planet in exaltation has free reign to accomplish its goals. It doesn't necessarily mean those goals are admirable, worthy, charitable or of highest consciousness, but you'll be able to direct your will towards accomplishment, achievement, ambitious long range plans and objectives. Whether or not you have the moral fiber to direct them towards honorable and noble endeavors, rather than mere selfish or ruthless ones, is a matter of the substance of what you're made of. Just because Mars is in a great sign for his energy to be used at its optimum, doesn't necessarily mean it's for good purposes. Mars has dignity in Capricorn because its where he has strength and responsibility, not necessarily affinity for the sign. It's like living in your own home and having the mortgage paid off. You can do whatever you want, you own it, but it doesn't necessarily mean that what goes on behind closed doors is a Shangri-La. You can be harboring a crystal meth lab, but it will most likely be kept hidden from view and safe because Mars has strength and dignity in this sign.

That being said, it would be wise to direct your ego and ambition towards achievement of career goals and legacy that will foster a sense of purpose and making a tangible addition to society and the world at large. Your world can be a localized one of a small town or neighborhood but within it you can make a difference and use your energy to build rather than tear down. In Capricorn the impulsiveness of Mars is restricted in the best way possible and directs its impetus towards a steady, slow and persistent drive forward. It's enduring, lasting and projects initiated now can stand the test of time and withstand some pressure. With Mercury retrograde for the next three weeks the impetus for these new projects and goals has an inward journey of planning and organizing the details with a very strong imaginative vision that becomes more outwardly manifest when Mercury turns direct in three weeks. Mars says keep the foot slowly on the gas pedal because you can see the mountain top in the distance getting closer and closer in some area of your life.

This weekend is all about Mercury turning retrograde in the sign of Pisces.  The official time is Sunday at 7:54 pm (EST) but it's the two days before, day of and day after the retrograde that are often the juiciest in terms of the challenge that comes about.  The challenge isn't necessarily bad, as a matter of fact, good things often happen on a Mercury retrograde.  Of course it all depends on how it aspects planets in your natal chart, as well as what house it falls in.  I have a great example from yesterday.  Three weeks ago a Doctor's office rejected my health insurance because they claimed they no longer accepted it.  Today I called my insurance company to get another recommendation and they said that this Doctor was indeed in-network.  I called back the Doctors office immediately and was told he just recently reinstated this insurance, and that I happened to fall between the cracks.  So, I wound up getting an appointment with this doctor after all.  The Mercury retrograde in this case is the rescheduling of the appointment and the rectification of a past mistake.  Pisces rules doctors and medicine and the confusion and miscommunication is such a retrograde in Pisces energy.   

It's always nice when there's an example of the positive side.  There often is a constructive side to Mercury retrograde like editing, rewriting, reconnecting, reanalyzing, recalculating, recommunicating, readdressing and any permutation of doing something over to make it better.  But the trickster can be very harsh as well and in the sign of Pisces this could be out and out lying, deception and the uncovering of facts and information that have been hidden from you for one reason or another.  This is an extremely absent minded and flakey energy and things can get lost very easily.  This is a retrograde where profound insights may be realized especially if you're a person who has a great gift for reflection, revels in the yin side of intuitive intelligence and is in tune to psychic kinds of vibes.  This is a wonderful energy to make an internal spiritual trip and examine your soul.  Listen and speak with more empathy and compassion.  Avoid the pity party nature which is the less enlightened form of Pisces.  

Pisces is the saint or the sinner and Mercury retrograde in this sign provides a choice of which thought-path to take.  For some it may be necessary to do a little bit of both.  Listen to the internal music of your soul.  Connect the mind and the heart.  

I always pick three Tarot Cards the first thing when I wake up in the morning to get the temperature of what the day might be.  The first card was the Lovers, how appropriate for Valentine's Day, followed by the Hanged Man, then the 8 of Cups.  This suggests a reversal of some kind in the choices that I make, and it will force me to take things deeper on an emotional and feeling level.  Not a bad combination of cards.  It's wiser to make mature choices of the heart rather than immature ones that merely grant immediate satisfaction.  

The Moon is in deep, passionate Scorpio today.  The 8 of Cups reflects this energy.  The mood is about intensification, deepening, passion, trust and taking love deeper.  Whomever you come face to face with today look behind the mask and superficial appearances and experiences and search for the emotional substance of the connection you have with that person.  The day is predominantly colored by a trine to Mercury.  Make the emotional and mental connection and use compassionate communication to get your message across as Mercury is in Pisces, ready to turn retrograde.  There is a caveat as everything may have a way of turning around on the retrograde that occurs Sunday.  Those beautiful heartfelt messages and words that you transmit to your loved ones today may have a change of heart after the retrograde, or at the very least need to be adjusted in some way.  

Tonight's energy is colored by Jupiter and Neptune.  All fantasy, imagination, glamour, sex and extreme indulgence.  That being said, most likely what the Mercury retrograde occurring over the weekend may indicate is a serious internal question about over the top and indulgent behavior from tonight and by Sunday a reappraisal asking "what the hell did I say and do?"  You may go back on your word if there are promises made tonight in the heat of passion that can't be kept.  It may be hard to stay true to your commitment when Mercury turns retrograde so be aware of how you play the game tonight.  

The planet of love, money, innate talent and values conjuncts Chiron today and tomorrow.  This presents a wonderful opportunity to be healed or to heal relationships.  There's a new beginning and vision on how to move forth or let go.  You may have felt in the past couple of days a new relationship wound opening up.  Whether it's the healing or opening up of a relationship or financial wound this is a potent energy, so pay attention.  For instance, yesterday there was a brand new issue that crept up regarding an old friendship and I'm seeing this person in a new light that wasn't appealing.  Aries likes to make new beginnings.  This sign also likes to tell it like it is.  So be forthright and honest about addressing any of the issues mentioned above.  Face to face without being mean and vitriolic, yet do state difficult opinions with as forthright an air as possible and the willingness to debate fairly.  

On Tuesday, February 11 the moon is in hardworking Virgo until she goes void from 1:26 pm till 6:37 pm (EST).  Make the morning and early afternoon the hardworking part of the day and get things launched.  Make the afternoon hours more about internal work and organizing the details of any important matters from the morning.  

Tonight's Libra Moon is perfect for a candlelit dinner to discuss those serious relationship matters I've been talking about.  Set the mood to soften the blow or make the partner receptive to what you have to say.  

Today is a full moon in Leo.  This sign likes to party and since this lunation falls on a Saturday it's a great night to have fun, do something entertaining, show off and enjoy life in all its full blown vitality.  There will be lots of competition to share the spotlight with others especially since Venus has just entered Aries, another self-driven and egocentric sign.  If you're not a competitive person you may be steam rolled by others that easily will steal the spotlight from you.  If you enjoy being an audience and watching others then there will be plenty to watch and enjoy.  

The Moon forms inconjunct aspects with Mercury, Jupiter and Neptune so this can cause mental confusion and misperceptions.  This is an energy that can easily cause discomfort if you overdo excessive behavior.  It's a wonderful day to work on art projects or attend artistic events.  Imbibing too much alcohol can draw the wrong type of attention so be mindful.  

​But all in all, have fun and play with friends, lovers and other strangers!

The Cancer Moon makes aspects to Jupiter and Neptune today. Expand feelings, sensitivity and compassion. Disseminate creativity and imagination during the work day. Venus is at the last degree of Pisces so there's an extra loud shout out toward your closest partners and relationships. There's a strong sense of devotion for those we love, and a more intense feeling of compassion by losing oneself in close bonds with loved ones.

This placement of Venus can also make some of us partake in extreme escapist activities such as indolence, laziness, drugs, alcohol, partying and getting away from the realities of the world. There are beautiful ways to escape and use this energy such as surrender to the higher octave of unconditional love and finding great gifts in helping those that are less fortunate than ourselves. Help a loved one who is ill and make a sacrifice of your needs to better help them with theirs.

Allow your imagination to run wild especially towards pleasure combined with creative, artistic and spiritual outlets.

Mercury has entered its shadow in preparation for its retrograde station which formerly takes place on February 16.  In the time period leading up to that date you will start to get acquainted with any challenges that will come to fruition on and during the retrograde and will need to be addressed and/or fixed at that time.  Pay careful attention during the next two weeks as mechanical devices may start to act funny, or you start having more interesting types of miscommunications with certain people that will be formerly addressed after the 16th.  Stuff like that.  For instance, I’m having a hunch (Mercury is in Pisces after all) that a friend of mine is dissatisfied with me about something and neither of us has said anything.  I’m ruminating on it because perhaps I may be a bit paranoid.  If there is something to my intuition most likely on the retrograde is when it will come to light and be addressed. 

Mercury is in Pisces for quite a long time; from now until April 11 (with a brief retro back into Aquarius from March 5 – March 16).  Pisces is the sign of Mercury’s detriment so it has to work harder here to be understood.  Mercury likes facts, details, logic and precision and Pisces is a sign antithetical to those principles as its style is dealing with things through the imagination, fantasy, poetry, intuition, and more non-verbal ways of communicating.  This retrograde can be twice as confusing in the sign of Pisces and much information can be left out, forgotten, erased and at its worst consciously manipulated through lies and obfuscation.  This will be a horrible retrograde for getting the truth about something unless of course you’re a writer, poet, sculptor, artist, musician, shaman, guru, healer and help people understand the truth through illusions and ethereal types of techniques.  This retrograde will be great for re-examining the emotional past. 
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You would be wise to get as much practical stuff done before the formal retrograde on February 16th.  Place your orders on line now for tickets and purchases of any kind. 

Saturday, February 1.  Venus in Pisces has an opportunity for Pluto in Capricorn to help her deepen relationships.  The energy through the night can be one of being aware of what you bring to the table vs what your partner brings to the table.  Some people bring material security to strengthen relationships while others bring emotional security.  Everyone contributes something and today you can see just what that is.  This energy bodes well for sexual intimacy and strengthening trust and passion.  Spend solid time with those you love deepening the ties that bind.  Because there’s an early evening square between the Sun and the Moon there could be some argument and compromise over evening plans between friends and partners.  Once that’s out of the way everything should be fine since the Moon quickly trines Jupiter, making you feel pretty happy with the plan at hand, or at least more than willing to compromise and enjoy yourself even if you didn’t get your way. 
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If you’re single and looking for fun on a Saturday night then this energy can aid and abet the hunt. You’ll have to spend some money in order to get what you want.  The Moon remains in Taurus all night and the subterranean mood emphasizes the physical, pleasurable and material.  It continues to be a luxuriant weekend courtesy of the Taurus Moon.  Many of you may prefer staying at home cooking, sleeping and indulging in the comfort of family.  This is a great lunation for Sunday’s Super Bowl game when many are filling their bellies with more fattening, gluttonous types of food and indulging in a pastime that brings such great pleasure to so many people. 

Ceres enters Aquarius. The caregiver asteroid-goddess asks us to nurture and take care of ourselves and others. She's a caretaker who guarded her daughter from danger although she also suffocated and cloistered her unnecessarily. As she enters Aquarius be more caring, nurturing and motherly towards your friends, community and charitable organizations. We get the English word "Cereal" from Ceres. Starting the day often with a bowl of cereal gets it off to a healthy start. Make a new start with your mental health. Nurture your mind with clear and level headed thinking. In the world lets see if we see more union strikes for those who think they are not being treated equally. This is a powerful energy for female empowerment and making the feminine voice heard in the political sphere. Women helping and mentoring other women. There’s safety in numbers.

The Moon turns void of course at 10:10 am EST and 7:10 am PST so it's not the most productive time and definitely not a good Friday take action with something new. Keep the nose to the grindstone with work already in progress. The Moon enters Taurus at 7:28 pm EST and 4:28 pm (PST). This is a luxuriant lunation for a Friday night. Spend money, indulge the senses - especially the hidden gourmet. Do something a bit more provocative and out of the normal routine since the first aspect Luna makes while in Taurus is a conjunction to rebellious Uranus. Break out into something new, risky and exciting having something to do with money, pleasure, the senses, and breaking the taboos of the earthly realm. Be fun and creative and shock yourself!