We All Have a Past

This forecast begins with highlights of your past because if what I say about your past rings true, then you can trust what I say about your future.

Astrology is based on cycles. We can learn from our past. Let's glance back to the turn-of-the-century, specifically 1999. This was a powerful time for you. In many ways, it was a time of culmination because you achieved many things that were important to you. Some of you travelled then and took a major trip; while others explored opportunities in publishing, the media, medicine, the law or going back to school. By 2000-01, your reputation looked great! You were feeling cosmopolitan, successful and confident about your future. Therefore, some of you were surprised when in 2003-06, you found yourself in a position where you had to give up many things - people, places and possessions. It was a time of serious downsizing. Fortunately, as the saying goes, as one door closes - a whole wall blasts open. This is why you moved into bigger or better digs around 2006. (Give or take a year, depending on if you are an early or late Leo.) This was definitely a time when many of you increased your wealth through real estate. Others might have expanded their family.

By 2007, hot and heavy love affairs were taking place for many of you because in the bigger picture, you were well on your way on an entirely new path. Many of you started to do things that were different from your previous life-style. By 2008, because your confidence allowed you to dream big, your ambitions regarding your work or your job grew. By 2009, relationships became committed and your own success became increasingly more apparent. By 2010, you achieved kudos because of your hard work. This was also a time when some of you received inheritances or support from others because life was generous to you. You could take a bow.

Your reputation grew in 2011-12, because this is when you truly had a chance to put your name up in lights. People admired you and you were proud of your achievements. At that time, you entered a two-year window where residential moves and job changes were likely for many of you because by 2013, you were working hard to establish a refuge for your family and a situation where you felt safe and grounded at home. This was also a popular year! Friends and groups figured prominently in your life then.

By 2015, life was easier because lucky Jupiter was back in your sign bringing you good fortune and increasing your sense of contentment with your world. Increased responsibilities with your kids came into play at that time, and would continue for the next few years. Fortunately, by 2016, many of you started to see ways to boost your income. Yay! This is important to you because Leos live high. They like to entertain. They like to take vacations. They like good hotels and excellent restaurants. And they buy gifts for their kids and loved ones. Yes, Leos need deep pockets! I am a Leo and I have a sign in my kitchen that says, "Lots of money is only useful if you spend it." It is advice I follow faithfully.

Wealth, Career and Reputation

Many Leos will still boost their income this year. Especially Leos who are born in August. The increased earnings that I predicted for Leos last year are blossoming this year for "later" Leos. Therefore, value your moneymaking ideas. Look for ways to increase your earnings because you can do this. Meanwhile, another favourable influence exists because lucky, moneybags Jupiter will be in a good relationship with your Sun, and this will make your life flow more easily this year. In other words, with very little effort, you will move in the direction that you want to go. Even your ideals will seem to be capable of fulfilment. That's because this year is a time of optimism and growth for you.

Admittedly, some of you will use this blessing and be inclined to take it easy. However, if you realize that your increased belief in yourself can generate a better job or a chance to do something important that is close to your heart - then you will be productive. Basically, the year 2017 is your year to "think big." Many of you are in the entertainment world, the hospitality industry, teaching, the arts and in business. Trust your creative ideas. Don't be afraid to try something that you have always hoped you would do. Begin it now.

This is also the classic year for many of you to get further training or tackle advanced studies. Writing, teaching and sales will appeal. By 2018, you will continue to work hard on the ideas that you develop this year - and by 2020, you will receive acknowledgement and praise for your efforts. That's why this is the year for you to believe that you can make your dreams a reality. This is the year to act. This is the year to begin. Remember: The way to ensure success for tomorrow is doing the best that you can today.

Saturn is particularly supportive to you now because it is in your fellow Fire Sign. In fact, both Saturn and Jupiter will ensure that your life runs smoothly this year. This is why your challenge is not to sit back and relax. Oh no. And you will be tempted to do this because you can get away with it. But this would not be wise. Saturn deals with the structure of your life, the bricks and mortar. Not only does it deal with your tangible reality, it also deals with your relationship to authority figures, your relationship to the government, your status in society, and also the energy that you have to work hard every day.

Because Saturn is now in a Fire Sign, it helps both the other Fire Signs tremendously. (Aries and Leo.) That's why this is the perfect year to lay the framework for future success. Things will run smoothly; and you will be able to accomplish a lot without much effort. Go figure. You will be productive almost as if by magic. Get as much done now as you can because in the future, this might be much more difficult to achieve. Yes -- make hay the Sun shines!

Without question, it is in your best interests to consider this year a time of preparation for something that will bring recognition in about two to three years. Having said that, it's also possible that many of you will win recognition this year, especially from employers, bosses and VIPs. But it's important to know that whatever you produce now will be the result of focused effort. ("Peel me another grape because I have to get back to work") But hey - it's easy to work. You will get a great deal done with without any special sense of effort.

Since 2011, unpredictable Uranus has been in Aries, which is your fellow Fire Sign. It will stay there until the beginning of 2019. This can only happen once every 84 years, so it is a one-shot deal. This is why, no matter what your age, it's the one time in your life where change is taking place and it's creative and exciting! In fact, you are eager for change. That's because Uranus always wants to make you break free from restrictions. It encourages independence, growth and exploration. Uranus wants you to explore new experiences and shake off conservatism, fear and insecurity. However, the thing to know is that all the changes that Uranus wants to encourage in your life are probably changes that will ultimately take place in the future anyhow. But here is the catch: If you do them now while you are in charge because Uranus is cooperating with your Leo Sun, then these changes will flow easily. If you wait until later, you will be forced to make the change anyhow, but in a way that might be disruptive. (And that's a euphemism.)

Since both Saturn and Jupiter are supportive to you this year (in fact, supportive to the point that you could just relax and be content) - you need to know that if you work hard on something that you really want to do, Uranus will give the added impetus to open doors in entirely new, fresh directions. That's why Leos have to sit up and take notice during 2017! What is it that you have always secretly hoped you would achieve?

Romance and Relationships

This year is very strong for you because both Jupiter and Saturn are having a lovely dance with your Leo Sun. This doesn't always happen. Sometimes one planet or the other is favourable. But this year, both planets are helping you. To be more specific, they will boost the energy of your Sun depending on where it is in your chart (something that I don't know). This means that some of you will have a chance to improve your health this year. Others will improve their home environment. Others will get fantastic opportunities to travel and have further education. Or they might be on the winning side of legal disputes. Some will gain favour because bosses and important people are impressed with them. It's hard to say exactly how this will manifest for you - but I can say that it is good news! Factoid.

Therefore, your happiness quotient will be higher this year because some part of your life is going to flow so smoothly. In turn, this creates a frame of mind that makes you happier, more content and easier to get along with. Right? You have more enthusiasm for life and a stronger sense of adventure. You're eager to explore new avenues and willing to encounter new ways of living or looking at things. All of these qualities will promote your ability to meet someone in a romantic sense. And by the same token, these same qualities will also improve your chances to enhance an existing relationship. It goes with the territory. All you have to do is think of the opposite - i.e. how much a relationship can be damaged when life is very tough.

This means that your relationships are solid this year. You have the potential to meet new people, especially people of an age difference. (That's the influence of Saturn.) These people might also be richer or more well-established than you. (That's the influence of Jupiter.) One thing is certain. Despite your reputation for cavalier romance, this year you will be serious about romantic involvements. The word casual won't even be in your vocabulary. One night stands are history. That's because even your choice of recreation and amusing diversions (including love affairs) must have a purpose. They must have meaning for you. In particular, you will welcome any relationship that will teach you something new or allow you to learn something valuable.

Home, Family and Real Estate

I think it is obvious that the home life of Leos will be happier this year because basically, their lives will flow more easily. When life is easier, you are happier and more patient. By extension, if you are happier and more patient, it's easier for you to get along with everyone.

In addition, because both Jupiter (wealth) and Saturn (form, structure and status) are in such a positive relationship to you, your home scene might become literally richer. You might move to a more luxurious home, or you might buy things for your home, all of which allow you to feel more pampered and affluent at home. This same element of wealth also allows you to be more generous to family members, and of course, this makes everyone happy! In turn, Saturn will enable you to teach family members or vice versa, you might learn something valuable from them. Saturn will also encourage a strong sense of loyalty and mutual support in your family relationships.

Because Saturn rules the skeleton, the teeth and the skin, a favourable relationship with Saturn is something that always promotes one's health. (Especially your bone structure - joints, arthritis and bone growth.) Naturally, if you feel healthier, you are happier and you will demand less assistance from family members. So it is logical that the favourable influences of both Jupiter and Saturn this year will benefit your family relationships in a positive way.

However, there is something very specific that will happen. Towards the end of 2017, when Jupiter enters Scorpio, it will then usher in a 12-month window of time when you will benefit from any kind of real-estate negotiations. This is major! In fact, this one-year window, which begins in November, is the best year for you to benefit from real estate in a 24-year stretch. (This is amazing!) Since you know you are going to enter this wonderful time of opportunity, start doing your homework. Start thinking of what it is you want to do if you can almost do the impossible when it comes to creating a home that you really want. This could pertain to buying and selling or building. It might mean you figure out a way to have a second home or a cottage in the country. It might mean you figure out how to rent something that is bigger, better and affordable.

This favourable influence will begin in November and last for a year. However, as I said earlier regarding earnings for Leos, likewise, late Leos will receive this benefit possibly in 2019. But all Leos will have this one year window - no question.

Because nothing in anyone's chart is completely isolated, you can see how this is a time of preparation, which I stressed in the "career" section. Everything you do in the next 12 to 18 months is setting the stage for what will flower very soon. Therefore, even though this year will be quite easy for you - be bold and adventurous and willing to explore all possible dreams for your future because they will become your reality. Yes, your future is up to you and what you do this year!

Highlights of 2017 Month by Month

A Sneak Peek Beyond

We certainly know that in the year 2018 you will improve your digs. This means you will move to a bigger and better home or improve your existing home. You might buy and sell. You might build. You might buy for the first time. Whatever happens, not only will your home feel more luxurious, your family life will improve as well. Indeed - your family might expand through marriage or birth.

Plan on a wonderful vacation in 2019 because this is in the cards. In 2021-23, serious partnerships will be tested.

By 2023-24, your reputation is stellar. You can really make a name for yourself at this time.

Nevertheless, your fabulous career peak and the time of culmination of your past efforts will take place in 2029. That's when you will really step up to the plate and take a bow. You will be strong enough to know what you want and you will be fortunate enough to go after it

Your Leo Mantra for 2017

"My positive attitude is my strength this year."

Mercury Retrograde in 2017

Mercury retrograde occurs three times a year. This is when Mercury appears to go backwards in relation to planet Earth. (In reality Mercury always moves forward.) During these so-called retrograde times, the areas that Mercury has domain over inexplicably suffer from errors and delays. The errors are small but frustrating!

Mercury is the symbol of everything that moves forward:

1. all forms of ground transportation, (cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, buses, taxis, trains)
2. the mail, parcels, packages (Post Office and Courier and Delivery Services)
3. communications -- email, social media, phone calls, conversations
4. daily living (the people we encounter, the items we deal with, the transactions we make and how we relate to others.)

During Mercury retrograde, all the areas under the rulership of Mercury tend to go "backwards." (They certainly have trouble going forwards!) This is why we can expect transportation delays, missed buses and car breakdowns. Mail will be late or lost, daily items that we handle like keys and papers will be misplaced; and communications with others will be confused and misunderstood. Plus people from our past will pop up into our lives. "Boris?" "Natasha!"

Use Mercury retrograde times to finish things, study the past, do research and reflect. But do not open a business or begin new projects then. Mercury retrograde is also a bad time to buy cars, trucks, bikes, computers, printers and phones.

The dates below are the actual retrograde dates plus the buffer times. This is because Mercury starts to slow down before it goes retrograde. Then afterwards, it needs more time to catch up to where it was at when it first went retrograde.

The craziness (delays and errors) is most pronounced during the actual retrograde time. However, if you are buying a big ticket item like a car or a computer, I recommend that you play it safe and avoid these purchases in the buffer times as well. You'll be glad you did.

December 19 - January 8	(Buffer times: December 2016 to - January 28)
April 9 - May 3	(Buffer times: April 1 - May 21)
August 13 - September 5	(Buffer times: July 30 - September 20)
December 3 - December 23	(Buffer times: November 26 - January 11, 2018)

Lucky Days for 2017

• January 13, 14
• February 9, 10
• March 8, 9, 10
• April 5, 6
• May 2, 3, 29, 30, 31
• June 26, 27
• July 23, 24
• August 20, 21
• September 16, 17
• October 13, 14
• November 9, 10
• December 7, 8