Well, well, well. What a start to the new year, eh? Lots of turbulence this week, as many of the heavenly bodies change signs or direction, so there's lots of information. Here's the recap:

Saturn, at 4 degrees Libra, turned retrograde on the 13th while it squares Pluto at 5 degrees Capricorn. In researching this phenomenon, I found this description: Upsets and delays could become a normal part of life for the 4 and a half months Saturn is Retrograde. Extra time-consuming, unfinished *business* can unexpectedly come up that takes you away from your normal routine, adding extra responsibilities, commitments, and time-eaters to your days. Expectations of forward progress may have to be temporarily revised. It's time to ease up and take a good look around you. Whatever house of your horoscope Saturn is currently transiting through is where you will feel this effect. This is not the time to make bold new strides and start experimental projects. Instead, use this time to re-evaluate and strengthen what you are already doing. This retrograde can teach you new methods to structure your inner psychological workings by exposing your limiting, unproductive defense mechanisms. This knowledge can ultimately help you translate yourself and your work to the world in a lucid, more easily comprehensible way.

Saturn will reach Virgo, in it's backward motion, on April 7th and it will turn direct on May 30th and get back to Libra on July 21st. During this time period, Saturn will again make an exact conjunction with Uranus on April 23 (in Pisces and Virgo, again) and then again after Saturn goes direct on July 21st (in Libra and Aries) which should seal the issue of freedom and structure for some time for many of us.

Mercury, at 5 degrees Capricorn, went direct early on the 15th after making a square with the above mentioned Saturn. This transit may linger until the 25 and we may find we become stuck on certain ideas and find it difficult to change our mind. We also may have difficulty communicating our thoughts to others.

All the while, Mars in Leo continues to be retrograde until March 10th. I found this description to share with you: When Mars is retrograde, you may need to slow down. But to do that, you may find yourself face to face with--- yourself. The urge to get what you want may be strong, but instead of rushing out to get what you want when you want it, you may need to take another look at what you're pursuing and how you're pursuing it. Is it really in line with what you want or is it an unhealthy competition that has you running in circles? Action is necessary, but what kind? You can bring your desires in line with what you really want and gain more personal power if you learn to control your needs and master your energy by taking action only when and where needed. If you can bring your own burning agenda back in line with others, you may be able to deepen your intimate relationships and re-energize yourself.

In addition to that, Jupiter moves into it's traditional ruling sign, Pisces, on the 17th and Venus moves into Aquarius on the 18th. Jupiter stays in a sign for a year and it is said that it shines is beneficent light upon those in that sign, so as I said last week, Pisces starts a golden year, but the focus will also be on community compassion.

In an aside, I'd like to say that eclipses usually coincide with earthquakes and during this last eclipse, Mars at a fiery degree of the Zodiac was directly atop Haiti, dead center. Easier to see in hind sight than to predict, but that's free will and endless possibilities for you.

What's coming up? Settling into this new energy. We may all be very low until early March when Mars goes Direct and we may have to deal with recurring illnesses or injuries, so take the necessary precautions. I am hearing many people beating themselves up for their low energy and lack of motivation and I say don't. We need the rest - and if you resist you will get sick. Take the time to get the sleep you need and have a plan for something to do when you get up. The more you can follow a To Do list and move around, the easier this transit will be on you.

Wishing you all the very best my friends. Peace!

Carole