Mars in Virgo, Retrograde!

Almost here at last and not entirely welcome, the Mars in Virgo retrograde begins.  Oy vey, it's going to be one heck of a transit with Lord knows what kind of repercussions.

The retrograde apparently will last for about 80 days and then the slow forward movement going forward but, 80 odd days is a long time for Mars to be retrograde and in Virgo, it makes me think, for some people there may or may not be surgery involved and for others, perhaps all of us, there will be some early and continued, sustained, spring cleaning.

Not an exciting or sexy place for Mars to retrograde (that would have been in the sign of Libra), we must deal with this planetary configuration whether we like it or not.

Many other astrologers have said, "don't buy tech equipment, computers and such during this time period," there will be issues perhaps so, best to wait until the spring. Yes, the spring, why push your luck?

The Mars in Virgo retrograde will end on April 13th and by that time, we will be in early springtime.

I hope we can use the Martian energy to get the job done (but not new projects). All that spring cleaning is waiting and trooper that he is, Mars will see to it that we march to his call, like it or not. :((

Chinatown Lunch on the First Day of Year of the Dragon

Lunch with a close friend in Chinatown yesterday was exciting but the food was particularly not good.  I don't like soup and because the restaurant is known for serving great soup, I took a chance.  Mistake number one, it was terrible and I ate almost none of it.

My long time friend (who covered the bill) had a business appointment and had to rush off by bike as soon as we left the restaurant.  I won't give the specific restaurant a name here, I think it's enough to say, it was the worst soup I've ever had.

It was nice to see my friend who is leaving for San Francisco where she lives when not in NYC (those Geminis often lead two lives and or have two of everything) but, we barely had time to talk.  Nevertheless, and although the restaurant was crowded to the max, I gave her a brief analysis on her new partner.  She had brought along a computer generated horoscope and when I did the analysis, I spoke as if my friend was a stranger and to the point now - I spoke perhaps too bluntly and I regret that. 

Analysts want to help, I certainly do when I do analysis but, it's up to the person who is having the interpretation done.  They can take the advice or not.  If they have fallen in love already let us say or have dived into the pool, whichever way one wants to mention it, it may be too late for any prohibitive analysis. 

I gave my friend a to-the-point (we were under time constraints and, I wanted to discuss as much as I could) analysis and tried as best as I could to make light of the fact that this person might not be in her best interest).  Keep it light.

My friend tired from working into the wee hours of the morning, said the analysis was, "a brutal" reading which of course was not my intention.  I only want her to be happy and so, I gave fair warning the way I saw to do under the tyranny of the clock. 

Confetti poppers and two dragons with an entourage of followers trailing behind them were just arriving on Mott street as we meet, a very auspicious indicator for the two of us to be sure.  The ever young Dragons shook their heads and bobbed up and down as they were followed closely by an expert drummer from the local Kung Fu school and a bevi of disciples - it was an exciting and auspicious moment to meet my friend yesterday in Chinatown. 

As the two Dragons bobbled about on this, the very first day of the Year of the Sea Dragon, in front of a nearby bank to bring them luck in the coming year, I felt that my friend a I were very much a part of the auspicious moment in time that would last us a year and beyond.  I still believe the same.  (I feel confident this will be a fortunate year in so many ways for so many of us, 2012 notwithstanding.)

My friend, who happens to have been born in the year of the Dragon will need good fortune going forward because, she will probably have her hands full with the new partner. The best of success in their relationship going forward.  I hope it works out well for the two of them but, a Dragon is a Dragon is a Dragon and no amount of fluttering around the truth will make that Dragon an Ox or a Rabbit! 

The truth at least the way this analyst sees it will have to stand although, I will be writing my friend a thank you note today and, I will try to smooth over my brash and a perhaps insensitive, astrologic analysis of her new love. 

I'll be needing some good luck too, I simply hate being negative.

:((

Byzantium & the New Year of the Water Dragon

Sailing to Byzantium in the new lunar New Year of the Water Dragon!  Happy New Year of the Water Dragon and many happy returns of the day, visitors, friends and family out there. 

It's going to be an exciting year and a year of prosperity and blessings according to the Chinese lunar zodiac, we are in for it so let the good times roll.

I know. I know.  Christians identify the dragon with the you know who but, the Dragon is the dynamic force of the creative and combines elements of all the other animals in the Chinese zodiac.  I found this out just this morning and had been unaware however; I know that this dynamic symbol of the force of creativity is highly held as the greatest sign particularly to bear (male) children.  It is a bit of anathema if it's a girl born in the year of the Dragon.  :(( 

This year, the Water Dragon also occurs in a 5 Universal Year and according to numerology the 5 year also has a special, creative and masculine arc to it.  I think we can expect very exciting changes in the film industry, breakthroughs in other creative oriented platforms in technology and a strong surge of continued development and prosperity particularly in Asia, China, India, Africa, Brazil and other quickly developing economies of the world but, one need not be a rocket scientist or an astrology analyst to realize that to be the case!

America is undergoing such difficulty, I am not sure what I think the upside of the Year of the Dragon and a 5 Universal Year will hold for us but, I am optimistic.  I was born in a 5 Universal Year so, I am particularly hopeful that this year will be one in which I can introduce myself and my particular brand of artistry to the general public as well as to collectors, curators and others and that, my creative work (there's that word again) will be well received. 

With so many other aspects of astrological interest at play now, I am fortified in my opinion that this is a wonderful although difficult time for so many Americans.  There are a number of interesting trends (Venus will cross the face of the sun later, in the springtime or early summer, which is a rare transit for the planet.  I believe it is auspicious and something to look forward to.  You will probably hear of this when it happens on the news media channels). 

We are in the 2012 year after all and it has with it a lot of expectations of doomsday and other cataclysms.  I have found that from any number of perspectives:  Religious, spiritual, helio-geological, Aztec calendar, psychic (Edgar Cayce predictions) etc. that, the overview does not look calm for the 2012-20-14 year time period. 

We may get the business but the business in a not nice way if the power grid crashes as some authorities are suggesting it may (Dr. Michio Kaku) and that remains to be seen or not seen if we luck out. 

Come what may, Americans, Chinese, wherever you may reside and land or group you may come from, we all need to continue our efforts for peace (an end to wars), brotherhood, love of family, neighbor and animals alike.  

If we can continue and step up our efforts in the all of the above whatever comes our way will be met with grace, love and brotherhood.  When you think of it, these are the essentials that will get us through any hardship on the global, national or personal level.   

What a spectacular way to open the new year, the grand trine (great harmony) in the earth element makes this a special new year and a time to build, create, recreate and rebuild if necessary your hopes wishes and dreams because a great deal is possible for us to accomplish at this time when the planets are so favorably aligned.

Friends and interested parties, we are going into an extended transit of the planet Mars into and retrograding in the constellation of Virgo.  It is significant particularly for Virgo native sun sign people and the rest of us as well. 

We can expect not to have much happiness with newly purchased electronics in February so don't say I didn't warn you.  Wait until the transit is at least past the retrograde phase later in the year before making that purchase to be on the safe side and watch it.  Your present electronics may act up or fail.  :((

Mars in Virgo is good for body building and getting clerical work done, the energy will be there and the situation corporeal and otherwise will improve. Clear up the clutter, no better time than now and I say it to myself as I suggest it to you.

People who handle sharp instruments and or knives, beware, Mars is has cutting potential that during the retrograde may be unwelcome. 

The transit gives Virgo and the other earth signs and those with other planets in Virgo, you get that extra amount of vigor that perhaps you have not had in a long time.  Virgo males appear more masculine, more attractive and they give off a Mars like (male) vibration so step up your game and ask someone out, make a bold move or appearance, you'll be glad you did.  Remember to take it easy during the retrograde period February through March generally speaking, other than that, you can get a lot done during this period where, Mars in Virgo, Jupiter in Taurus and, yes (!) Pluto in Capricorn form that grand trine that we here on earth are all being blessed with!