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• Aries-Sun or Aries Rising ~ 12th House
• Taurus-Sun or Taurus Rising ~ 11th House
• Gemini-Sun or Gemini-Rising ~ 10th House
• Cancer-Sun or Cancer-Rising ~ 9th House
• Leo-Sun or Leo-Rising ~ 8th House
• Virgo-Sun or Virgo-Rising ~ 7th House
• Libra-Sun or Libra-Rising ~ 6th House
• Scorpio-Sun or Scorpio-Rising ~ 5th House
• Sagittarius-Sun or Sagittarius-Rising ~ 4th House
• Capricorn-Sun or Capricorn-Rising ~ 3rd House
• Aquarius-Sun or Aquarius-Rising ~ 2nd House
• Pisces-Sun or Pisces-Rising ~ 1st House

What's your dream? Jupiter (abundance) sextiles Neptune (enlightenment) on June 8th. This first half of June is a good time to be reminded of our idealism. Getting back in touch with our dreams can go a long way into giving hope to difficult life events or impossible situations. Regaining our sense of wonder and faith help offer an alternate perspective into an existing issue.

Jupiter reminds us of the best that life can offer. Neptune urges us to look beyond the tangible world. Jupiter represents expansion, luck, happiness, and opportunities. He is currently in Taurus, where his energy seeks comfort and stability. Neptune governs the subconscious world, spirituality, visions, and imagination. She is presently in her home sign of Pisces.

Elsewhere in the sky and on the day that Jupiter and Neptune perfect their sextile, Chiron (healing), who is also transiting Pisces, stations for retrograde motion. As he turns his focus inward, Chiron reinforces the Neptunian/Piscean spiritual/intuitive/reflective nature.

Take advantage of their alliance by broadening your interests, stepping out of your comfort zone, or cultivating a more spiritual approach to daily life. Keep in mind that, at worst, Jupiter can be overzealous or overly optimistic, and Neptune can be confusing or too much of an escapist. So although, this may not be the time take action towards achieving your dreams, it's an ideal time to awaken your conscious self to whatever unconscious or semi-conscious drives you may have. What you eventually do with whatever's unmasked is up to you :)

Jupiter sextile Neptune occurs at almost 1 degree of Taurus (fixed sign) and Pisces (mutable sign). Those born around February 18-21 and April 19-22 or those with natal planets/house angles near 1 degree of fixed or mutable signs may be more sensitive to this Jupiter-Neptune sextile.

Unsure if you have natal planets/house planets near 1 degree of fixed or mutable signs? Cast your own birth chart at alabe.com for use as reference -- birth date, time, and place required.

Alternatively, I am also available for personal consultations tailored to your needs. Are you celebrating a birthday? Or know someone who is? Schedule your session for a Solar Return (birthdays) or 3-Chart Reading (detailed natal & overall outlook for the next 12 months) or request a quote for a more customized reading tailored to your needs. Consider giving a loved one the gift of insight.

Related articles:

• Chiron Retrograde in Pisces ~ June 8 to November 10, 2011
• Jupiter in Taurus ~ June 4, 2011 to July 11, 2012
• Neptune in Pisces ~ April 4 to August 4, 2011
• Neptune Retrograde ~ June 3 to November 9, 2011
• Current Planetary Transits
• Solar Returns Explained ~ your personal year
• Schedule an appointment
• Client reviews

Chiron follows Neptune's lead and joins Saturn and Pluto in retrograde motion. Chiron stations to retrograde on June 8 at 12:07 p.m. PDT / 3:07 p.m. EDT and stations direct on November 10.

As I've written in previous posts, Chiron represents both what is broken and how to heal it. Unlike a headache where the discomfort can be dispelled by a pill, Chiron is a more painstaking process that forces us to probe through the darkest recesses of our selves and pierce through our thickest walls so that we may uncover what the root cause. But it is well worth the effort.

Chiron's focus turn inward while retrograde. We are able to reflect, review, and repair. We become aware of the problem, the extent of the problem, the root of the problem, which help usher in the solution to the problem or gain the healing/renewal necessary to move past the problem. Because Chiron, like Neptune and Pluto, is slow moving, his movements have global implications. However, the focus of this post is geared more on the possible personal implications of Chiron's retrograde cycle.

While retrograde in Pisces (the seeker), Chiron's focus may be to delve deep into our broken spirit (losing the will to live or live a life with purpose), or where we may have lost our faith (in humanity, in our own abilities, etc.), or our belief in that which is greater than the self (God, the Tao, the Divine, etc.). We are given a chance to reconnect our bond with the 'essence' of who we are/of our existence, or if we are already attuned, find where the link may be weak and strengthen those areas.

From June 3rd to August 4th, Neptune will also be retrograde in the sign of Pisces. Those who have a prominent Piscean or water influence in their natal charts are likely to manage Chiron/Neptune retrograde energy more successfully than those who don't have much water weight on their birth charts. Logic and reason may not always be helpful, especially if intuitive abilities are what's being called upon. Be open alternative perspectives when mulling things over and in your interactions.

With Pluto also retrograde in Capricorn until September 16, we are urged to make empowered, difficult changes that are necessary in helping us move forward. We'll be required to purge, eliminate, and cut ties as we become enlightened to the truth. No matter how harsh and crushing that truth may be, we must recognize them and accept them before we can release them. Healing is a process so, be kind to yourself as you come face to face with old memories that haunt, unrecognizable shadows of the self, toxic thought processes or relationships, deeply-rooted reasons for destructive habits, etc.

Chiron will revisit zero to almost 6 degrees of Pisces. Pisceans born around February 19 to 25 (+/- 2 days); or with personal planets/house angles between zero to 6 degrees of mutable signs; or are going through their Chiron Return may be feel Chiron's retrograde more undeniably than others. Those who are going through their Chiron Return, please be extra kind to yourself. Uncovering and tackling decades of buried wounds can be painful, draining, frustrating, but it is a process that frees the soul and opens you up for what can be possible when burden is lifted.

How might Chiron's retrograde manifest in your life? Look to the natal house/s that Chiron is transiting. In other words, where does zero to 6 degrees of Pisces fall in your natal chart? Do you have natal planets/house angles between those degrees, too?

Unsure if you have natal planets/house planets between zero to 6 degrees of Pisces? Cast your own birth chart at alabe.com -- birth date, time, and place required.

Alternatively, I am also available personal consultations tailored to your needs. Are you celebrating a birthday? Or know someone who is? Schedule a session for a Solar Return (birthdays), 3-Chart Reading (detailed natal & overall outlook for the next 12 months), Chiron Return reading, or request a quote for a more customized reading tailored to your needs. You might also consider giving a loved one the gift of insight.

Related articles:

• Chiron's initial transit in Pisces ~ April 20 to July 20, 2010
• Chiron re-enters Pisces ~ February 18, 2011 to 2018/2019
• Neptune's initial transit in Pisces ~ April 4 to August 4, 2011
• Neptune's transit through last degrees of Aquarius ~ Nov. 9/10, 2010 to April 4, 2011
• Current Planetary Transits
• Solar Returns Explained ~ your personal year
• Schedule an appointment
• Client reviews

Neptune joins Saturn and Pluto in retrograde motion. She'll station on June 3 at 12:27 a.m. PDT / 3:27 a.m. EDT and remain retrograde until November 9th. Neptune governs all that which is hidden and operates in the unseen world -- our subconscious, psychological self, dreams, imagination, and spirituality. She is often associated with confusion (lack of clarity), escapism (drugs/alcohol), creativity (music), transcendence, "oneness," and unconditional love.

Neptune, who came home to Pisces on April 4th, will now retrace her steps from zero degree of Pisces and back to 28 degrees of Aquarius. Neptune returns to Aquarius for the last time on August 4, 2011. Then next year, Neptune re-enters Pisces on February 4, 2012 to remain until 2024/2025.

While Neptune is retrograde, Chiron will also be retrograde from June 8 to November 10. Their energy together offers greater opportunity to give attention to our spiritual side, psychological self, imagination, and ideals; aspects of our selves that we may have neglected during the course of living our busy, daily lives. This is the time to get in touch with realities in the spiritual plane that are just as true and substantial as the realities we face in the physical world. Be wary of excessive escapism, especially with drugs, during this period, especially with Jupiter sextile Neptune also on June 8th. A fog of confusion is also common; don't fear it. Instead, embrace the abyss of the unknown. In surrendering, clarity will follow.

Those born between February 16 to 20 (+/- 2 days) or with personal planets/house angles at zero degree of mutable signs or between 29 and 28 degrees of fixed signs may be experience this Neptunian energy/fog more strongly than others.

How might Neptune's retrograde transit influence your life? Answering the following questions is a good place to start. Where does her current transit fall in your birth chart? Do you have natal planets or house angles within 29 and 28 degrees of fixed signs to zero degree to mutable signs?

Unsure if you have natal planets/house planets between zero degrees of Pisces (or mutable signs) and 28 degrees of Aquarius (or fixed signs)? Cast your own birth chart at alabe.com for use as reference -- birth date, time, and place required.

Alternatively, I am also available personal consultations tailored to your needs. Are you celebrating a birthday? Or know someone who is? Schedule your session for a Solar Return (birthdays), 3-Chart Reading (detailed natal & overall outlook for the next 12 months), 24-month Neptune Transit reading or request a quote for a more customized reading tailored to your needs. You might also consider giving a loved one the gift of insight.

Related articles:

• Neptune's initial transit in Pisces ~ April 4 to August 4, 2011
• Neptune's Transit in the last degrees of Aquarius ~ November 9/10, 2010 to April 4, 2011
• Jupiter sextile Neptune ~ June 8, 2011
• Chiron's initial transit in Pisces ~ April 20 to July 20, 2010
• Chiron re-enters Pisces ~ February 18, 2011 to 2018/2019
• Chiron Retrograde in Pisces ~ June 8 to November 10, 2011
• Current Planetary Transits
• Solar Returns Explained ~ your personal year
• Schedule an appointment
• Client reviews

It's an exciting time to be alive! At the very least, astrologically speaking. The year began with Jupiter (ideals/expansion/optimism) returning to Aries, where he remains for a few more months. In February, Chiron (wounds/healing/teaching) returned to Pisces to stay until 2018/2019. Last month, Uranus (rebellion/radical change/awakening) also re-entered Aries, and this time will stay put for seven years. For four (2012-2015) of those seven years, Uranus will be locked in a tense square with Pluto (power/destruction/transformation) in Capricorn, who himself has been changing what security, wealth, success, and government mean to us since 2008. One would have to be hiding under a rock or just plain 'checked out' not to feel/experience the tension/crisis of their square, especially since its influence extending as far as early 2020s. But I digress. This post is about Neptune :)

In a few days, Neptune (spirituality/enlightenment/escapism) joins Chiron as she comes home to Pisces, a sign Neptune has not visited since 1847 to 1862. Yes, Neptune's last transit in Pisces began a year after Neptune was discovered, for you history buffs :) It takes her 165 years to transit through all of the zodiac signs.

On April 4, Neptune will take a short dip into Piscean waters before returning to Aquarius on August 4 to spend her last months there before coming back home in Pisces to stay until 2024/2025. In the last few years, we've had slower moving celestial bodies change signs. Their impact is generational and global, while they transit Capricorn (for Pluto), Aries (for Uranus), and Pisces (for Chiron and Neptune).

Any celestial body changing signs is an energy shift. For the Sun, it happens every 30 days or so. For the Moon, every 28 days or so. Their influence are more or less month to month/day to day. But for slow-moving planets like Neptune, the initial change could be immediate/jarring but actual results develop more gradually, and the complete impact, undeniable by the end of their transit.

Neptune governs all that which is hidden and operates in the unseen world -- our subconscious, psychological self, dreams, imagination, and spirituality. She is often associated with confusion (lack of clarity), escapism (drugs/alcohol), creativity (art/music), transcendence, "oneness," and unconditional love. In Pisces, Neptune's energy is enhanced, heightened, increased since Piscean energy mimics that of its ruler. When a planet transits its own sign of rulership, like Neptune with Pisces, it's akin to coming home after a long, tiresome journey and finally being in a space where you rule... where you are king/queen ... and master of your domain. For us, earthlings, it feels more like a double whammy!

For part of Neptune's transit in Pisces, Chiron is also in Pisces. They traveled through Aquarius together, and now they'll continue their travels in Pisces. The combination of both their energy -- the wounded healer (Chiron) and the truth seeker (Neptune) -- in the compassionate, transcendent sign of Pisces brings up issues with the environment and our 'oneness' with each other and the world we live in. Together with Uranus in Aries and Pluto in Capricorn, ecological crisis, catastrophic sociopolitical and socioeconomic instabilities will most likely blow up even more as radical change becomes necessary to solve the problems we face, not just in our personal existence or our within our immediate surroundings but as a people living together on this earth with its other inhabitants and also co-existing within our universe.

Neptune enters Pisces on April 4 at 6:50 a.m. PDT / 9:50 a.m. EDT. She retrogrades on June 3 and returns to Aquarius on August 4. Neptune then becomes direct on November 9 and re-enters Pisces on February 3, 2012 to remain until 2024/2025. Early-degree Pisces and Virgo-Suns/Risings may have already begun feeling the energy shift as early as February, while Neptune transited the last degrees of Aquarius.

For me, as a late-decan Virgo-rising, much of Neptune/Chiron transits in Pisces actually happen in my natal 6th house (health/work/routine) even if she is the ruler of my natal 7th (partnerships). I've just gotten some pretty harsh news about my health. Nothing fatal or anything. And not exactly a surprise either. But it is a wake up call. I can't keep running on fumes because there's much I want to do. I'm not a machine, and even machines need to get maintenance sometimes :) I know that spending more time meditating, maybe some yoga, and practicing reiki on myself more regularly are small things that would benefit me tremendously. Healthier lifestyle choices are part of what's in store for me during this transit. Time to REALLY fix what's broken or it's gonna break me for good. And that would suck royally.

How might this opposition manifest in your world? Look to the natal/solar houses governed by Pisces to get an idea where in your life Neptune and Chiron's transit in Pisces may be most influential. Unsure where which natal house is governed by Pisces? Cast your own birth chart at alabe.com for use as reference -- birth date, time, and place required.

Alternatively, I am also available for a 24-month Neptune Transit reading or a customized reading tailored to your needs. Are you celebrating a birthday? Or know someone who is? Schedule your session for a Solar Return (birthdays) or 3-Chart Reading (detailed natal & overall outlook for the next 12 months) or request a quote for a more customized reading tailored to your needs. You might also consider giving a loved one the gift of insight.

Related articles:

• Current Planetary Transits
• Solar Returns Explained ~ your personal year
• Chiron in Pisces
• Neptune Retrograde ~ June 3 to November 9, 2011
• Jupiter sextile Neptune-rx ~ June 8, 2011

The planet of love, Venus, concludes her transit in Aquarius on March 26 (March 27 for others). She then joins Chiron and Mars, as she begins her visit in the compassionate sign of Pisces. It is said that Venus is exalted (best placement/greatest strength) in Pisces. Perhaps, it's because Pisces has the capacity for unconditional love.

Venus governs how we relate (to others, to our selves), what we value in life (people, things, precepts), how we determine our worth (personal and material). Pisces governs the imagination, dreams, the spiritual/psychological realm and how we are all connected. At best, Venus in Pisces is intuitive, sensitive, loving, caring, romantic, idealistic. At worst, too sacrificial, weak-willed, secretive, too idealistic.

During her stay in Pisces, we are reminded that true love is without conditions. Compassion awakens the humanity in us and shows us that there, too, is purpose and use for kindness in the world. Be mindful of not neglecting the needs of the self for the sake of others, however. It's easy to overlook our own needs when busy caring those dear to us.

Venus in Pisces also reminds us that as we each follow our own paths, we are "connected" in this goal to live our lives, despite our journeys having different paths. No matter where we have been or where we are now or where we are going, each of us have experienced what it's like to win/lose, to be excited/disappointed, to be content/want more, to be happy/sad, to love, to hurt, to heal.

Tap into your spiritual self while Venus is in Pisces. We are all given intuition in varying degrees and intensity. Some use it more than others and are, therefore, more adept at identifying signs when they are presented. Others have such great intuitive powers that it is simply a part of their everyday, every moment. Whether you have little or much or something in between, celebrate it, make use of it, nurture it.

Venus enters Pisces on March 26 at 11:53 p.m. PST / March 27 2:53 a.m. EST and will stay through to April 20th. While in Pisces, Venus will align with the following celestial bodies (all dates reflect North America Pacific time zone; allow +/-2 days for life span of influence):

• March 29 ~ Venus conjunct Chiron. With yesterday's Jupiter-Saturn opposition still lingering, painful realizations regarding love or money may be abundant. Don't be too disheartened. Instead, let your resolve be strengthened to find a release/resolution to situations. No more wandering in the land of denial. Face fears/losses/pain head on. Come to terms with what is and move on.
• April 2 ~ Venus sextile Pluto. Uncovering underlying issues. Looking beneath the surface for understanding. Unmasking hidden truths. Transformational love. Also today, Mars and the Moon enter Aries.
• April 7 ~ Venus quincunx Saturn-rx. A dose of reality, especially with issues regarding relationships or finances. Relationships built on solid foundation and with healthy communication would most likely fare better. Underlying uncertainty regarding commitment levels or where things stand are some issues that may surface at this time.

• Aries-Sun or Aries Rising ~ 12th House
• Taurus-Sun or Taurus Rising ~ 11th House
• Gemini-Sun or Gemini-Rising ~ 10th House
• Cancer-Sun or Cancer-Rising ~ 9th House
• Leo-Sun or Leo-Rising ~ 8th House
• Virgo-Sun or Virgo-Rising ~ 7th House
• Libra-Sun or Libra-Rising ~ 6th House
• Scorpio-Sun or Scorpio-Rising ~ 5th House
• Sagittarius-Sun or Sagittarius-Rising ~ 4th House
• Capricorn-Sun or Capricorn-Rising ~ 3rd House
• Aquarius-Sun or Aquarius-Rising ~ 2nd House
• Pisces-Sun or Pisces-Rising ~ 1st House

On March 4 at 12:46 p.m. PST / 3:46 p.m. EST, the Moon begins a new cycle with the New Moon in Pisces. New Moons signify rebirth, beginnings, a clean slate, the start of a new cycle. This new moon highlights Pisces qualities (imagination, compassion, enlightenment, sacrifice) and 12th house themes (secrets, subconscious, addictions, institutions).

Pisces is natively ruled by Neptune, who is now in the last degrees of Aquarius after being in the sign since 1998 and the North Node (life path) is harmoniously aligned with Neptune on the day of the Pisces-New Moon. In Pisces, the Moon intuitive, spiritual, insightful, hopeful and attuned to the energies beyond the physical and mental realms.

The Pisces-New Moon (blending of heart & soul) occurs when a majority of the transiting planets are also in Pisces, along with the Sun (soul) and Moon (heart) -- Mars (motivation/action), Mercury (thought/communication) and Uranus (revolutionary/awakening). With so many planets in Pisces during this New Moon, getting in touch with our 'higher' self is a great way to make use of this New Moon phase.

Whether it's tapping into the spiritual self, our intuitive abilities, being more compassionate or giving more focus to causes/people outside our own personal world, let this New Moon in Pisces inspire us to seek the truth that lies deep within our heart/soul and let that truth become integrated to how we live life daily.

Elsewhere in the sky during this New Moon, the North Node (life path), who will have newly entered Sagittarius, aligns with Neptune (enlightenment) and Uranus (awakening). For those who find themselves at a turning point in their lives, this New Moon phase is an ideal period to discover/re-discover inner drives/desires that may be essential in figuring out what your next move may be or in gaining insight on what lies ahead.

This new moon occurs at 14 degrees of Pisces. Those born within 3 days of March 4 or September 6; or have planets/house angles around 14 degrees of mutable signs may feel the effects of this new moon stronger than most.

What might this new moon/new moon phase mean for you? Look to the natal house/s this new moon will occupy in your birth chart. Match the sign and degree to the sign on the house cusp/s. Use the list below to identify the Pisces zodiac sign then click here to read about the New Moon in Houses.

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• Aries-Sun or Aries Rising ~ 12th House
• Taurus-Sun or Taurus Rising ~ 11th House
• Gemini-Sun or Gemini-Rising ~ 10th House
• Cancer-Sun or Cancer-Rising ~ 9th House
• Leo-Sun or Leo-Rising ~ 8th House
• Virgo-Sun or Virgo-Rising ~ 7th House
• Libra-Sun or Libra-Rising ~ 6th House
• Scorpio-Sun or Scorpio-Rising ~ 5th House
• Sagittarius-Sun or Sagittarius-Rising ~ 4th House
• Capricorn-Sun or Capricorn-Rising ~ 3rd House
• Aquarius-Sun or Aquarius-Rising ~ 2nd House
• Pisces-Sun or Pisces-Rising ~ 1st House

Mars leaves the excitable sign of Aquarius and slows down in the sign of Pisces. He may even find himself introspective and dreamy. Mars governs our aggression, self-assertion, physical activities, and passions. He brings his confidence and boldness to the otherwise natively mellow Piscean energy. yey for Pisces!

In Aquarius, Mars is experimental, innovative, and spontaneous. In Pisces, Mars is sensitive, intuitive, understanding, and champions causes for the underdog. At best, Mars in Pisces is compassionate, discerning, and enlightened. At worst, overly passive, too fearful to make decisions/take action, or unable to face confrontations. While Mars is in Pisces, we are reminded to listen to our intuitive voice, show kindness to others, 'see' our part within the 'whole', and go with the flow.

Immediately after entering Pisces, Mars joins the stellium (cluster) in Pisces between Mercury (thought/communication), Chiron (wounds/healing) and the Sun (conscious will). As I mentioned in the Mercury in Pisces post, those who are Pisces-Suns/Risings or those with Pisces governing their 10th house of career/future goals (like Gemini-Suns/Risings) might find this an excellent time to push through whatever blockages/difficulties there may be. Getting to the root of the situation, finding a solution and moving beyond it. Miracles. Hidden strength. The Jupiter-Pluto square in the background should also help eliminate what no longer serves.

Mars enters Pisces on February 22 at 5:06 p.m. PST / 8:06 p.m EST and will stay through to April 1st. While in Pisces, Mars will align with the following celestial bodies (all dates reflect North America Pacific time zone; allow +/-2 days for life span of influence):

• February 4 ~ Mars conjunct Chiron. covered above
• March 3 ~ Mars sextile Pluto. Working hard. Going against the odds. Elimination. Purging. Discovering (rediscovering) self-power. The following day on March 4 is the New Moon in Pisces.
• March 14 ~ Mars quincunx Saturn-rx. Problems with authority figure. Inability to assert one's self. Holding back aggression. Repression. Not wanting to take up responsibility.

• Aries-Sun or Aries Rising ~ 12th House
• Taurus-Sun or Taurus Rising ~ 11th House
• Gemini-Sun or Gemini-Rising ~ 10th House
• Cancer-Sun or Cancer-Rising ~ 9th House
• Leo-Sun or Leo-Rising ~ 8th House
• Virgo-Sun or Virgo-Rising ~ 7th House
• Libra-Sun or Libra-Rising ~ 6th House
• Scorpio-Sun or Scorpio-Rising ~ 5th House
• Sagittarius-Sun or Sagittarius-Rising ~ 4th House
• Capricorn-Sun or Capricorn-Rising ~ 3rd House
• Aquarius-Sun or Aquarius-Rising ~ 2nd House
• Pisces-Sun or Pisces-Rising ~ 1st House

Mercury joins the Sun and Chiron in Pisces on February 21, where he remains until March 9. Mercury governs all manners of thinking, communication, schooling, commerce, short travel, and siblings. In the humanitarian sign of Aquarius, Mercury is engaging, intellectual, innovative, unique, uninhibited, excitable, eclectic and electric. In the insightful sign of Pisces, Mercury mellows out a bit with a focus on the internal goings on and how that connects with life in the outside world for us as individuals and as living beings walking our individual paths, together within the same world.

At best, Mercury in Pisces is compassionate, understanding, and enlightened with truth and wisdom that goes far beyond what's tangible or conceivable by the logical mind. At worst, confused, deluded, blinded by faith and unable to function with the realities of living in the external world.

While Mercury is in Pisces, we are reminded to seek out truth beyond the realm of intellect and the tangible world. As humans, we are physical, mental and spiritual beings. We live in a physical world with material needs and wants. We reason, communicate and make decisions using our mental skills. Our spirituality, however, may not be something we connect with daily because its main interaction is within the self. Practice communing with the self more often during the weeks that Mercury transits Pisces. Find a quiet space inside yourself, honor that which gives you life, shows you the way and truly grounds you. Connecting with one's deeper self keeps us in sync so, that the motivation/drives behind our decisions and actions originate within the true desires of the self. Some people call it prayer; others meditation. Whether you call on God or another Deity of your choice or seek connection/counsel with your Divine self, make it a honored practice while Mercury is in Pisces (although, a lifelong practice is more beneficial).

This year, while Mercury transits Pisces, Mars also visits Pisces from February 22 to April 1. Mercury, Chiron (wounds/healing), Mars (action/motivation) and the Sun (conscious will) will all be involved in a stellium (cluster) from February 22 to 25 while they all transit Pisces. Mercury will also sextile Pluto (purging/transformation) on February 25th.

Although we can all benefit/experience the energy of this stellium and Mercury's link to Pluto, those with Pisces-Suns/Risings or those with Pisces governing their 10th house of career/future goals (like Gemini-Suns/Risings) might find this an excellent time to push through whatever blockages there may be, especially those rooted deep within the psyche. In general, this brief period could also be used to strengthen/rediscover our intuitive/spiritual side, release the past/old wounds as plans/actions toward the future begins in motion, or get more actively involved in humanitarian efforts/charitable causes.

This stellium and Mercury-Pluto sextile occur with Jupiter (expansion) square Pluto in the backdrop. Jupiter and Pluto will also perfect their square on February 25th.

Mercury enters Pisces at 12:53 p.m. PST / 3:53 p.m. EST and stays until March 9th. While in Pisces, Mercury will align with the following celestial bodies (all dates reflect North America Pacific time zone; allow +/-2 days for life span of influence):

• February 22 to 25 ~ Mercury conjunct Chiron, Mars, and the Sun. covered above
  
• February 25 ~ Mercury sextile Pluto. also mentioned above

• Aries-Sun or Aries Rising ~ 12th House
• Taurus-Sun or Taurus Rising ~ 11th House
• Gemini-Sun or Gemini-Rising ~ 10th House
• Cancer-Sun or Cancer-Rising ~ 9th House
• Leo-Sun or Leo-Rising ~ 8th House
• Virgo-Sun or Virgo-Rising ~ 7th House
• Libra-Sun or Libra-Rising ~ 6th House
• Scorpio-Sun or Scorpio-Rising ~ 5th House
• Sagittarius-Sun or Sagittarius-Rising ~ 4th House
• Capricorn-Sun or Capricorn-Rising ~ 3rd House
• Aquarius-Sun or Aquarius-Rising ~ 2nd House
• Pisces-Sun or Pisces-Rising ~ 1st House

At 4:25 p.m. PST / 7:25 p.m. EST on February 18, the Sun leaves cerebral Aquarius for spiritual Pisces, where intuition and insight sometimes rule over logic and reason. The Sun transits Pisces until March 20th. On the same day as the Sun's ingress to Pisces is the Full Moon in Leo which will have occurred at 12:36 a.m. PST /3:36 a.m. EST.

The Sun represents our potential, ego, vitality and conscious will. In Aquarius, the Sun is friendly, independent-thinking, original, and a humanitarian with societal ideals that benefit the masses -- emotionally detached but able to be caring with unwavering conviction. In Pisces, the Sun is imaginative, enlightened, sympathetic, creative, hopeful, intuitive, spiritually aware and able to affect change subtly but effectively. At best, the Sun in Pisces is insightful, compassionate, supportive and understanding. At worst, confused, too sacrificial, unrealistic and emotionally burdened by others' troubles.

While the Sun is in Pisces, we are encouraged to connect or reconnect with our own spiritual selves -- the divine within us. It's so easy to become affected by the busy-ness of our everyday. Each moment of the day is already spoken for, sometimes, before we even wake for that day. We are often pulled in many directions throughout the day, as we get on with all that must be accomplished on any given day. Some of us are multi-taskers with mental functions always ahead of where we are actually at, physically. The Piscean Sun reminds us that there is value in "mindfulness", effect in being "present" and that our "grounding" resides within us.

During this period, the Sun in Pisces also shines upon our capacity for compassion to others, especially during his first few days in the sign when he is conjunct with Chiron (the wounded healer) and under a tense alignment between Venus and Saturn, which could make relationships even more challenging. These four weeks may be an ideal time to do some volunteer work, participate in grassroots activities for causes that you believe in, connect with others who have similar spiritual pursuits, or just simply doing random acts of kindness within your immediate environment.

It's a special year for Pisces-Suns and risings this year with Mars also transiting Pisces beginning February 22nd. Those born on or after February 22 will have Mars (action/assertion) in their sign for their Solar Return year, which could be a BIG confidence booster that also offers increased assertiveness for their personal year. This is very exciting since Uranus (radical/unexpected) will rejoin Jupiter (expansion/opportunities) in Aries next month to shake things up in Pisces' 2nd house of income and values.

While in Pisces, the Sun will make alignments with the following celestial bodies (all dates reflect North America PST time zone; give +/-2 days for life span of influence):

• February 25 ~ Sun conjunct Mercury, while both sextile Pluto ~ Clear the air. Uncover what's hidden. Meaningful connections. Resisting or avoiding change only delay the inevitable. Also today, Jupiter square Pluto.
  
• March 4 ~ New Moon in Pisces at 12:46 p.m. PST / 3:46 p.m. EST
• March 6 ~ Sun quincunx Saturn-rx ~ Obligations limit freedoms. Reality check. Accepting difficult truths. Finding the strength to keep going. Need for perseverance.
• March 19 ~ Full Moon in Virgo at 11:10 a.m. PST / 2:10 p.m. EST

• Aries-Sun or Aries Rising ~ 12th House
• Taurus-Sun or Taurus Rising ~ 11th House
• Gemini-Sun or Gemini-Rising ~ 10th House
• Cancer-Sun or Cancer-Rising ~ 9th House
• Leo-Sun or Leo-Rising ~ 8th House
• Virgo-Sun or Virgo-Rising ~ 7th House
• Libra-Sun or Libra-Rising ~ 6th House
• Scorpio-Sun or Scorpio-Rising ~ 5th House
• Sagittarius-Sun or Sagittarius-Rising ~ 4th House
• Capricorn-Sun or Capricorn-Rising ~ 3rd House
• Aquarius-Sun or Aquarius-Rising ~ 2nd House
• Pisces-Sun or Pisces-Rising ~ 1st House

Last month, we had a celestially big energy shift with Jupiter's return to Aries. This month, an even bigger shift in energy occurs when Chiron leaves Aquarius for good. He's been transiting Aquarius since 2005 until last year when he made his initial entrance into Pisces on April 19 at 11:37 p.m. PST / April 20, 2010 at 2:37 a.m. EST. Then, while retrograde, he revisited Aquarius on July 20, 2010 and now, Chiron returns to Pisces and settles in until April 2018; and then again, from September 2018 to February 2019. He will not transit Aquarius again until 2056.

As written on the previous Chiron in Pisces post:

After five months of being in retrograde, Uranus stations direct on December 5th. Although Uranus' retrograde cycle began in Aries, he has since returned to Pisces where he'll remain only until March 11, 2011. So, this is his last few months transiting Pisces. After March, he won't revisit Pisces again for approximately 84 years.

As taken from previous posts: