As the planet of love, Venus is inspired to express her affections in every sign and element, so with her physical appetites sated, she headed straight into Gemini to give new meaning to the phrase “attraction begins in the mind.”

Although the goddess of love is known for her earthy side, her Libra rulership makes this pleasure-loving planet very much at home in Gemini’s airy world.

Consequently, during the next few weeks Venus will work all the rooms as she seeks to charm the rest of the zodiac with her witty repartee.

Gemini is a restless, curious sign, so while Venus is here she behaves much like the bee that samples the nectar of a variety of blossoms while keeping an eye out for more tempting delights.

During this time we too may yearn for variety and wish to spice up our lives. For some of us, that may mean new adventures with current partners, while for others it will mean new relationships.

While it is true that Venus in Gemini can be extremely flirtatious and more than a bit fickle, it is not because she is shallow or uncaring. Rather, it is because she knows that at some point in time she will be expected to settle down and make a commitment that is supposed to satisfy her for a lifetime.

Whereas other signs make their important decisions based upon intuition or logic, Venus in Gemini will base hers on the one thing she does better than any other sign: comparison shopping.

Venus is in Gemini from May 9 – June 2, 2013

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Mercury is in Gemini
from May 15 – May 31, 2013

After spending several weeks in the cautious, pragmatic and contemplative sign of Taurus, Mercury  returns to Gemini and the comfort of his own home.

While his wings weren’t exactly clipped during his passage in Taurus, he was certainly forced to slow down as his restless spirit was restrained by the slow and steady nature of the bull. Although Mercury assumes strong powers of discrimination when he wears the practical hat of Virgo, he much prefers to feel his hair being tousled by the winds of change.

Mercury is the natural ruler of the third house and while in the airy and inquisitive sign of Gemini, he reminds us that we need to grow on an intellectual level. Whereas the second house focuses on physical assets, the third house focuses on our intellectual ones. Here, we expand our mind through reading, education, travel, research and intelligent conversations with other people.

Although Mercury is frequently distracted by competing interests and is often guilty of spreading himself too thin, there is no one better at multi-tasking than the winged messenger.

That’s why the pace quickens when Mercury is in Gemini. No longer are content to pursue our interests a la carte; rather, we want to partake in an intellectual banquet where we can engage both sides of our brains and be assured that we can keeping going back for “seconds.”

Make no mistake about it:  Mercury in Gemini is the original “inquiring mind,” and while he’s here, he encourages us to make the most of ours.

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As the planetary ruler of the seventh house of marriage and committed relationships, Venus presides over romance. The Aries nature is a bold, passionate and forthright one, and as long as the goddess of love is here she adopts a more aggressive approach to romance.

However, absent a deep and abiding connection between them, her interest will start to wane, her eye will start to wander, and until she begins to choose more responsibly she will continue to leave a trail of broken hearts behind her.

Consequently, during this time it will be easier for us to become swept up by the idea of romance rather than its substance, and if we allow our enthusiasm to rule our emotions, we are likely to become involved in unions that may be fun while they last but are short-lived and ultimately unfulfilling.

Throughout the entire time Venus is in Aries, she is challenged to play a romantic role that is in conflict with her gentle, sensual and receptive nature.  Although the path is unfamiliar and the lesson uncomfortable, it is only by exploring her opposite sign that Venus learns what she needs – as opposed to what she just wants – in a partner.

If we follow her lead and pay close attention to the relationships we attract in our life during this time we may gain insight into our romantic patterns. For example, we may identify areas where we demand too much as well as those where we surrender too easily.

In addition to love, Venus is also the planetary ruler of money and her earthy side  is well respected for its financial acumen. However, when immersed in the self-centered and impulsive sign of Aries, her sound fiscal judgment quickly becomes a casualty of impetuous extravagance.

Likewise, if we do not exert self-control during this period, our budgets and bank accounts may suffer the consequences of reckless spending.

While Venus is in Aries, we are encouraged to identify our emotional and financial needs because only then can we take steps to attain them.

Venus is in Aries from March 21- April 15, 2013

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Emotionally waterlogged, the planet that never says die pressed forward until reached the Aries shore where he was greeted with a hero’s welcome.

While Mars is in his own sign, he is confident, courageous and competitive. As he makes his way through Aries, he does so with a definite purpose in mind and keeps his eye focused on the prize at all times.

Although his intention is generally is noble, his behavior can be less than sterling, especially when he doesn’t get what he wants according to his definition of a timely manner. Patience is simply not his strong suit, and he tends to suffer from bouts of narcissism. Consequently, when he feels disappointed the impulsive, arrogant and aggressive side of his often gets the better of him. While it is true that Mars fury often passes as quickly as it ignites, the same cannot be said for the emotional wounds suffered by the victims of his wrath.

Likewise, during this time we may feel more self-assured, ambitious and assertive. As long as we exert patience and remain aware that everything is not all about us, this may an excellent influence for setting goals, initiating actions and achieving our objectives.  If not, we will encounter resistance and be forced to tackle more obstacles in our path.

Finally, Mars represents our sex drive. While in Aries, his passion burns intensely and he longs for an opportunity to express it. Fortunately, Venus has been following his trail, and on April 7 the goddess of love will rendezvous with Mars in the heavens for a passionate embrace.

At that time, many on the earthly plan may feel inspired to follow their lead and ignite their own flames, while others may experience this influence as an energetic fireball of optimism, enthusiasm and ambition.

Mars is in Aries from March 12 – April 14.

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When she could no longer stand the emotionally chilly weather, Venus bid Aquarius farewell and entered the sentimental, sensitive and soothing waters of the sign of her exaltation: Pisces.A planet is exalted when it occupies a sign that is so complementary that its virtues are magnified and it expresses the highest nature of the planet and the sign. Consequently, while Venus is here, her senses are heightened, her sensitivity is increased and her compassion expands.

Likewise, during this time we become more attuned to our feelings as well as the energies around us and many of us feel drawn to volunteer work, charitable causes or some other form of selfless service.

Since Venus is the planetary ruler of personal relationships, her thoughts naturally turn to romance while in the sign that represents the highest form of love, and just like the goddess, many of us may discover that during this time our thoughts are focused on matters of the heart.  By virtue of its rulership over the twelfth house, Pisces is connected to past lives and as the goddess of love makes her way through this karmic sign, Mercury is also transiting retrograde in Pisces, which suggests that somewhere along her journey Venus will encounter a soul mate.

Soul mates come into our lives in various forms and for a variety of reasons, and it is possible some of us will also connect with one while Venus is in this karmic sign. Others might “connect the dots” and recognize the lessons that past relationships have taught us. While those who are unattached may experience a yearning that motivates them to seek “the one.”

In her role as the goddess of beauty, Venus also presides over the arts, and while she’s immersed the sign of imagination her creativity soars and her artistic talents blossom. As a result, those who are blessed with creative gifts are apt to receive inspiration now while those of us who lack artistic ability experience a greater appreciation of the beauty that surrounds us.

In addition to presiding over love and the arts, Venus is also the natural ruler of money, and although one might think that while Venus is in the idealistic sign of Pisces she is impractical with money, nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, when it comes to finances she can be quite frugal on a day-to-day basis, preferring to put away a tidy sum she can splurge on services that calm her mind, soothe her body and please her senses.

Similarly, while Venus is in Pisces, we are likely to spend our money on yoga classes, meditation CDs, self-help books, facials, massages and the like.

Finally, by virtue of her rulership of the second house of the zodiac, Venus rules  personal values, and while she is in the sign of forgiveness she taps into the energy of Mercury retrograde to reconsider what is important to her, as well as to review past hurts so that she can release them.

If we can follow her lead and forgive others, as well as ourselves, for past missteps we will be able to release the negative  emotions that have been stored in our psyche, and in turn, we will create a void that we can then fill with loving, peaceful and positive energy.

 Venus will be in Pisces from February 25 – March 21, 2013

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Eventually, the heavy Saturnian atmosphere became too much and rather than be enslaved in chains of Capricorn conformity, Venus defiantly thumbed her nose at the establishment and joined the rebel band known in Aquarius.

Although the earthy side of Venus is uncomfortable living under the water bearer’s roof, her airy side understands its aloofness, admires its intellect and embraces its independence.

For this reason, as long as Venus is in Aquarius, she enjoys being self-sufficient and revels in her freedom.

Likewise, during this time many of us will have zero tolerance for friends, partners or family members who are possessive, manipulative or otherwise try to dictate our lives. Rather, we insist that our partners respect and admire our autonomy and that they do so from a safe distance. In other words, they need to give us our space.

As the natural ruler of the second house, Venus presides over money, and whereas her earthy side is prudent, her airy side is self-indulgent which means that while she’s immersed in this unstable, eccentric and at times shocking sign, her financial judgment is anything but sound.

As a result, although we may be willing to take more financial risks while Venus is in Aquarius, it is important to remember that our financial acumen may not be up to par.

Through her rulership of the natural second house, Venus also governs our values. Consequently, her journey through the sign of group relationships, social reform and collective conscience may coincide with a time when we commit to a social, philanthropic or political cause.

Finally, as the planetary ruler of the seventh house, Venus presides over love.

As she experiences this intellectually profound but emotionally detached sign,  her craving for sensual and physical delights are replaced by a longing for companionship and mental stimulation.

Likewise, some of us will find ourselves attracted to a partner who is not our physical type but will mesmerize us just the same.

When Venus is in Aquarius, she loves authentically.

And so do we.

Venus is in Aquarius from February 1 – 25, 2013

So after inhaling several big breaths of Aquarius air, Mars dove into the watery world known as Pisces where he quickly discovered that his role as the conquering hero was at odds with this gentle, sensitive and sentimental sign where everyone receives kindness, compassion and counseling.

Whereas the Moon finds this sympathetic atmosphere utterly delightful, Mars experiences it as a hostile environment. Instead of feeling refreshed and renewed after immersing himself in its sea of tranquility, he initially feels physically tired, emotionally drained and very much like Samson after his encounter with the deceptive Delilah.

However, once he gains his sea legs, Mars discovers that his strength has not diminished but instead is simply being expressed in the yet unfamiliar form of romantic yearnings, artistic inspiration and spiritual insights.

Reminded once again that he really needs to curb his impulsive side, Mars realizes that he is not being held captive by the shadow side of Pisces but is being embraced by its higher side.

Likewise, during this time, those of us who are not that idealistic, creative or introspective are likely to experience a decrease in motivation, an increase in procrastination and perhaps a touch of despair. However, if we open ourselves up to this energy instead of resisting it with our ego, we too will experience its higher side.

Despite gaining a deeper understanding, and yes, even an appreciation, for Pisces, when all is said and done Mars is still not comfortable in this emotionally sensitive sign.

Although he may be guilty of many things, no one will ever accuse Mars of being a wimp (except for Pluto but even then only behind his back), so when faced with the prospect of doing time in Pisces, he is resolved to make the most of it.

With his strong sense of nobility and overwhelming desire to protect others, Mars easily embraces the Piscean philosophy of selfless service and sets out to safeguard the twelfth house’s most vulnerable denizens: the victims, addicts and the sufferers of mental or physical illness.

Consequently, by the time Mars bids farewell to Pisces he will be assured of a rousing – and well-deserved – hero’s welcome when he returns home to Aries.

Mars is in Pisces from February 1 – March 12, 2013

Whenever the planet of intellect is dressed in the water bearer’s flowing robes, his virtues are magnified and he displays his abilities in a profound and distinctive manner.

Likewise, during this time we are urged to push our intellectual boundaries and discover – or rediscover – our own unique brilliance.

Since Aquarius presides over cutting-edge technologies, Mercury’s presence here inspires us to be creative, inventive and forward thinking.

Consequently, some of us may embark upon a new interest, hobby or passion that is Aquarian in nature such as computers, electrical engineering, aeronautics, astrology, UFO’s or metaphysics.

However, since the water bearer is also the ruler of humanitarian and revolutionary causes, some of us may become involved in a humanitarian effort or a socio-political cause.

Above all, Mercury in Aquarius can open our  minds, liberate our thoughts and grant us a clear view of a better tomorrow.

And that requires nothing less than sheer genius.

Mercury is in Aquarius from January 19 – February 5, 2013

Likewise, during this time many of us may be experiencing a renewed determination to achieve our financial goals and expand our influence.

As the natural ruler of the horoscope’s second house of income, assets and values, the earthy, practical and productive  side of Venus is at home in the ambitious, authoritative and parsimonious sign of Capricorn.  Consequently, while she is immersed in this cautious sign, she is conservative with her cash and only interested in purchases that will stand the test of time.

As a result, we are likely to prefer investing our discretionary income rather than spending it on pleasurable but frivolous items and activities.

In addition to finances, Venus  presides over love and in Capricorn, she teaches us that appearances can be deceiving.  Although outwardly reserved while in the sign of public reputation and status, those who are fortunate enough to experience her earthy side learn that her passions run deep, her devotion is steadfast and her expectations of   her partner are high. Extremely loyal, Venus in Capricorn takes her promises seriously and is in it for the long haul.  However, if her partner fails to demonstrate the same level of commitment, she will cut her losses and walk away.  As dedicated as she is, Venus in Capricorn will no allow herself to be used.

Similarly, while Venus is in Capricorn we tend to think long term, which is why the allure of exciting but unstable romances loses its charm. Like the goddess, we are ready to commit but it must be mutual.

Finally, as the natural second house ruler, Venus also presides over our values. Before she exits the sign of definition, the goddess will determine who and what matters the most to her and establish her priorities accordingly.

While Venus is in Capricorn, it’s time for us to do the same.

Venus is in Capricorn from January 8 – February 1