Jan. 25-31, 2008
Faithful readers already know that Mercury turns retrograde
on Monday, the 28th, in Aquarius, the sign of satellites, sociopolitical concerns
and the New Age. The Messenger will be retrograde until February 18; however,
after it goes direct, it doesn't return to 24, the degree at which it flips,
until March 9, the Sunday Daylight Saving Time begins. Instead of thinking in
three-week increments — the usual length of a messed-up retrogression —
consider planning six weeks ahead so you're more likely to make real progress.
On the 30th, militant Mars turns direct at 24 Gemini, the degree it occupied way
back in mid-September. Mars went retrograde in mid-November at 12 Cancer (a mere
one degree away from the USA and George W.'s natal sun) and doesn't
get back there until April 4. I'm not sure what all this means, only that
it's relevant. Stay tuned.

Aries

Starting on the 28th, Mercury pulls its retrograde routine in your Aquarius house
of high hopes, good intentions and the groups you hang with. Watch out for a built-in
margin of error; the customary retrograde mess can make you as misinformed as
an independent Arian gets. But don't let that keep you from enjoying the
emotional and financial stability offered by Venus' favorable trine to time-tested
Saturn. These benefits should also help smooth the rough spots caused by your
retrograde Mars ruler's change of direction next Wednesday.

Taurus

“The more things change, the more they remain the same.” Sound familiar?
Whether in English or in French, that old saw need not apply to you or describe
what'll happen when your Venus ruler, tightly wrapped in the arms of possessive
Pluto, enters Capricorn's corporate world. After the freedom afforded during
Venus' transit of Sagittarius, will you still be able to go where you want
to go? This week, restrictive Saturn favors staying put, but Venus' merger
with lucky, farseeing Jupiter next Thursday should open doors. To the casino?

Gemini

If a financial matter recently passed you by, take heart. You could get another
crack at it while your Mercury ruler revisits the topic during this retrogression.
Foreign investments, tax breaks, the small print on an insurance policy? Detail-oriented
Mercury will be re-examining that section of your solar chart until March 9, something
to consider before filing your tax return. Twins born in mid-June may feel out
of sorts when acidic, infectious Mars in late Gemini changes direction on the
30th. Bundle up, and no reckless behavior.

Cancer

Anticipate receiving more monetary rewards from a partnership arrangement as appreciative
Venus in your Capricorn marriage house confirms the good fortune Jupiter bestowed
on you last week. Only this time around, cautious Mercury will have just turned
retrograde. If legal agreements must be reviewed, or financial participation determined,
be aware that you may have to wait another three weeks, until Mercury is direct
again, before the business end of the negotiations is completed. Not so for the
creative side.

Leo

The days are definitely getting longer, so if you do fall into a midwinter funk,
don't use sunlight-deficiency syndrome as an excuse. In fact, there's
precious little, save for Mercury turning retrograde in your Aquarius house of
partners, to bring you down. Lots of activity in your house of creativity might
be somewhat stressful at the moment, but the potential for success is enormous.
And energetic Mars turning direct in your house of friendships and social commitments
after two months in abeyance suggests that the party is just beginning.

Virgo

No doubt, despite its being retrograde the past two months, having irritable Mars
in your career midheaven has presented its fair share of problems. However, run-ins
with the boss and communication crises could end after Mars goes direct on the
30th, but by then your Mercury ruler will be retrograde. How much damage can the
Messenger do as it swings back and forth in your Aquarius house of work and health?
Enough to make your daily duties, e.g., ordering your vitamins, walking the dog,
getting along with the hired help, more problematic than they've been.

Libra

Mercury turning retrograde in your Aquarius house of children and other creations
may be annoying, but the delays caused by the change of direction will eventually
benefit your current work in progress. Incidentally, along with traveling and
communication, Mercury also represents young people. Don't take the typical
retrograde hassles too much to heart, because while the little guy remains in
a compatible air sign, it won't have much of a negative effect on another
air sign, such as Libra. The same goes for Mars in airy Gemini flipping on the
30th.

Scorpio

As sensitive to nuances as a Scorpion claims to be, will you feel any different
when your Pluto co-ruler enters Capricorn Friday night after spending 12 years
in Sagittarius? How about next Wednesday, when your Mars co-ruler faces forward
after being retrograde since November 15? Will you wind up in the same situation
you were in mid-September, when Mars was at the same degree of Gemini it is this
week? Are these too many questions to ask while Mercury is preparing to turn retrograde
Monday afternoon?

Sagittarius

Romantic, adorable Venus leaving your sign after four short weeks may bring a
sad farewell, but Pluto's exit, after 12 years of grime and gritty power
plays, could be cause for jubilation. No matter how your weekend turns out, you'll
still have to deal with Mercury's change of direction Monday in your third
house of catching planes and sending off e-mails. For the next three weeks, while
the Messenger is retrograde in high-tech, airy Aquarius, don't expect anything
to work the way you're used to. Plus, ballsy Mars in your Gemini house of
allies will finally turn direct on the 30th.

Capricorn

In case the skeptical Goat is not yet impressed with lucky Jupiter being in your
sign for one whole month, the entrance of lovely and loving Venus on Friday might
soften your outlook. And if that doesn't work, if you don't morph
into the most popular person on the planet, then the beneficial trine that Venus
forms with your Saturn ruler on Tuesday might do the trick. Unaccustomed as you
may be to enthusiasm and optimism (the goodies Jupiter bestows), try to look on
the bright side and discount the damage Mercury turning retrograde in your money
house can do.

Aquarius

More often than not, a sense that “all's right with the world”
comes over you during positive planetary alignments between your house of friends
and your partnership zone. This can be the case this week as artistic, affable
Venus makes friendly overtures to Saturn in picky Virgo. Along with a coveted
invitation, there may also be an exchange of gifts both beautiful and practical.
So, despite possibly feeling on edge because Mercury in your sign is shifting
into reverse, enjoy the camaraderie while it lasts.

Pisces

No clarion calls announcing the entrance of Venus and Pluto into the hallowed
halls of Capricorn. However, you may eventually realize that during their joint
exit from fiery Sagittarius this weekend, they took some of the pressures they've
laid on you with them. Venus may actually show off her beneficence while she supports
whatever Saturn in your Virgo marriage house is demanding at the moment. Because
both planets are in earth signs, you can bet that the reward will be the material
kind, and a hefty one at that. Need a new fridge?

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