Saturn turns Direct: Opportunities Open Up!

Saturn, the slow moving planet of karma and the taskmaster of the zodiac, which has been retrograde since December 31 of last year, finally turns direct on May 16. This ushers in a period of possibilities as our inner plans begin finding their way into the outer world, and vague outlines of concepts begin to sharpen.

Saturn asks for commitment, discipline and a sense of purpose to work its magic of making dreams real. He commands us to get to work, and to work hard. Discipline and responsibility are important to this planet. Saturn reinforces responsibility, carrying your share of the load and being held accountable for what you say or do. Saturn rules wisdom, but it is wisdom gained from hard work and experience -- earned one difficult step at a time. During a direct period, Saturn inspires confidence. As its role as a teacher, during a direct transit, Saturn also bestows inner strength -- a strength of spirit, a deepening sense of compassion and understanding of self, others or a particular situation.

But remember: Each planet exerts influence over certain aspects of life depending on how they are placed in your individual natal or birth charts. How will the energies of this important Saturn transit affect you and how well will you do during this period?

While your birth chart reveals your personality, the continual movement of the planets through your life affects both your personality and the events that shape your life. A progressed chart locates the signs, the aspects, and the house positions for each of the planets for any given year and tells you how long they will remain in those positions. These changes show you when to act on the potential revealed by your natal chart, and when to embrace growth in your life. The awareness of your progressed chart helps you make informed decisions about every aspect of your life.

Mercury Turns Retrograde: Think Before You Speak!

Mercury, the planet of communication, goes retrograde for the second time this year on May 6-7 (depending upon your time zone). Mercury normally turns retrograde three times a year -- however, in 2009 Mercury turns retrograde four different times. The effects of each retrograde period differ depending on the sign in which it occurs. This time around, Mercury is turning retrograde in Gemini -- its home base. Mercury is the ruler of Gemini!

Both Gemini and Mercury govern communications, the way we pick up information and process thoughts. Mercury rules thinking and perception, processing and disseminating information and all means of communication, commerce, education and transportation. Mercury retrograde gives rise to personal misunderstandings as well as flawed, disrupted or delayed communications, negotiations and trade glitches, and breakdowns with phones, computers, vehicles.

This retrograde period, step back from decision-making, agreements, contracts and use this review time to your benefit. Write down the pros and cons of everything since your mind will not settle on anything one hundred percent! When Mercury turns direct on May 30, you'll have greater clarity and are more likely to make good decisions. If possible, avoid buying communication-related products such as computers and phones. Keep receipts if you do. If you are traveling, double-check your reservations and bring a good book to read and plenty of games for the kids in case you are delayed. From late in the evening of May 13 through the end of the retrograde period, Mercury will be transiting the sign of Taurus, the sign ruling money. Decisions about investments and handling of finances should also be put off during this period.

Like any cosmic event, this retrograde affects each of us differently depending on how it's positioned in our personal birth charts. A Mercury retrograde period may be very prosperous for those who have retrograde Mercury, or a well-aspected Mercury, in their birth charts.

While a retrograde period may be an introspective time for all of us, if Gemini is prominent in your chart, you will have more than your usual share of introspection. Gemini is a mutable sign, so if other mutable signs -- Pisces, Virgo, Sagittarius -- are prominent in your chart, you will also experience a period of intense self-examination.