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. Around 1994, you began to take more power in your life because your goals became more important, and you became more outwardly focused. However, this was also a time when close friendships and partnerships were challenged. Fortunately, at the same time, many of you improved your home scene and where you lived.

Relationships improved by 1998 and by 2001, you were looking good. It was easy for you to make a good impression on others, especially bosses, parents and VIPs. At that time, you entered a three-year window that was a time of harvest when you could see clearly what was working and what was not. By 2004, lucky Jupiter was in your sign making life easier. You were happier and more content because you were more hopeful about your future. Very soon, many of you started to earn more money; however, by 2006, you entered a window when you began to downsize and streamline your life.

For the next several years, you gave up whatever was no longer relevant in your life -- possessions, places and people; and in some cases, even countries. Fortunately, at this time of giving up things, your home scene improved because you bought real estate or moved to a home that was bigger and better. Your family might have expanded as well. Family relationships were happier.

By 2009, you set off on a new path, and whether you were aware of it or not, it was a path during which you would reinvent who you were. (This process would last until 2016.) Partnerships and close friendships were a blessing in 2009-2010; and by 2011, many of you benefited from the wealth and resources of others by either receiving an inheritance or benefited indirectly through the wealth of your partner.

The year 2012 was fabulous for travel and expanding your world. And by 2013, once again, your reputation was stellar. However, in the last few years, things have been less stable for you. Many of you experienced job changes or residential moves. In part, this was because you were putting the final stages on the process of reinventing the new you. By 2015 - you had arrived. "Stick a fork in me Lord, I'm done!"

Wealth, Career and Reputation

Jupiter is the planet associated with increase and magnification. It is associated with wealth because Jupiter can increase your assets. Likewise, it can magnify and increase your earning power. There are many other influences associated with Jupiter but ease of living, good fortune and an increase of wealth are prominent. The planet Jupiter takes 12 years to go through one cycle. This year, Jupiter will travel through your House of Earnings and Possessions. Connect the dots! This means that the year 2017 will increase your opportunities to magnify your earnings and your assets. Please know that this opportunity is the best chance you have had in 12 years! Furthermore, since you will not have this opportunity again until 2028, do not take your good fortune lightly. Au contraire! This is cause for rejoicing and breaking open a bottle of bubbly!

So before we think of anything regarding your career, your reputation and your wealth, you must realize that you have the best chance in over a decade to boost your earnings in 2017. Factoid. In addition, whatever you do to earn money will be involved more with travel, foreign countries and people from other cultures. This too, is a fact. In addition, Jupiter will likely create a situation where you can make money through disciplines associated with Jupiter, which are - publishing, the media, medicine, the law and anything to do with colleges, universities and secondary education. Jupiter also represents healing. So it's important to be aware that these are all areas where it will be easy for you to make advances and explore opportunities that will boost your earnings or increase your assets.

However, at a more subtle level (yeah, the gross level is cold, hard cash) because Jupiter is augmenting the part of your chart that has to do with your possessions and belongings, it means that in 2017, Jupiter will help you actualize whatever you value most in life. Poof! Voila! If for example you are less interested in accumulating money and belongings, because you are more interested in free time to explore spiritual ideas or to tap into your creative energy - then, it is likely that you will expand your life in this way; because these are the values you hold dear to your heart.

Something else that is important to know is that ever since 2008, you have been on a new journey. For three years prior to that time, you gave up a lot - possessions, people and places - and since that time, you have virtually reinvented yourself. Look at who you are now and where you are now and compare it to who you were in 2006 and you see the difference. This is an important journey that you have completed. It takes place only once every 30 years. Now that this is behind you, you will slowly rise to achieve your dreams in the future - and of course, these dreams are the dreams of the New You! Not the old you. Note this distinction. You will see acknowledgement and a payoff for your efforts by 2023, six years from now. Six years will fly!

Romance and Relationships

Well, it's a cliche but it's true that money is sexy. I mean we know that money can't buy love, but hey - it improves your bargaining position. (Especially when love is blond.) So there is always that to think about in the coming year. In other words, because you will feel more affluent and hopeful about your earnings and confident about your financial footing, your relationships will be affected because they are the result of your frame of mind. (Admittedly, the new Mercedes helps.)

Aside from your increased confidence due to your finances, something even bigger is at play when it comes to your relationships; and it is the fact that you now know who you are. It's taken since around 2006-08 until now to figure this out. And don't worry, if you're not sure who you are - you are sure who you are not. This means that at this stage in your life, you are more serious about commitment, family and partnerships than you were in previous years. Therefore, you will be less interested in playing the field and having dalliances like the King of Siam flitting "from flower to flower to flower." What you want now is a serious relationship because you want to put down roots. That's why whether you are in your current relationship or you are single, what you seek now in your life is someone you can rely on. Someone who is dependable and loyal. Someone who will truly be a partner in life in every sense of the word. This is because you have this strong sense of building up to something because you have finally finished creating the New You. The next step is what will you do? You're going to do something! You're not going to just stand there getting dusty. And so at a conscious or subconscious level, as you now begin to build your new life as the New You, you want someone by your side who will be in it for the long-haul.

Do not be discouraged if this takes a little while to gel. After all, it took you nine years to create the New You. It's logical that it will take some time to find someone who will join you on and make a real commitment. If you're in a relationship that is sort of not going anywhere - quit kidding yourself. Don't try to save something that isn't worth saving. Cut your losses as soon as you realize that they are losses. (Not always easy to do.)

There is another influence that has been a play since 2012, and it will continue to be an influence until 2025. Yes, this is a long influence and a subtle one. Namely, it is the planet Neptune, which is now 180? opposite of your sign. This is a once-in-a-lifetime phenomena. It does not occur for everyone because Neptune takes 180 years to travel around a chart. So not everyone will feel what it's like to have Neptune opposite their sign. What it is does is create confusion in your closest relationships and partnerships. Neptune is illusion, smoke and mirrors. It can make you see people as you would wish them to be rather than how they actually are. This is a sure set up for disappointment. This is why at this stage in your life, it's important to be with people you really can trust and talk to. Furthermore, it's equally important to present yourself to others as clearly as you can. The good news is Neptune can deepen a relationship, especially by showing you its spiritual dimension. In fact, it can make you aware of a deeper meaning in life in general.

Home, Family and Real Estate

Everything to do with where you live and your relations with family members is important this year. If we step back, for a moment, and take a look at a major 30-year cycle in your life, you will see why: From 1994 to 2001, you gained strength, experience and success. Around 2005-2008, you gave up many things because in 2008, you began a journey to reinvent yourself. Now, specifically from 2015 to 2017 - your primary objective is to solidify your home base. In other words, you have to find your refuge. If you already have a home that you like, then at this time, you will do everything to improve it. Quite likely, these improvements will be major like fixing the roof or renovating. If you rent, you might move yet again, in an attempt to find someplace that feels right for you. That's because during 2015-2017, it's important to establish a secure base for yourself, especially after you now know who you really are.

Likewise, relations with family members will undergo important changes because you want to redefine these relationships, especially with respect to boundaries and who is in charge and who is responsible for what. So these are all important things you have to work out - probably more important than in any other time in your life, except for 30 years ago during 1986-1988.

So one of the most important things to do is to establish a firm base for yourself this year so that you feel secure about where you live. Got it?

Another influence that is quite lovely and present this year is lucky Jupiter is in your House of Earnings, which means you will feel more affluent and richer. You might buy beautiful things for yourself, your home and your loved ones, which in turn, impacts how you relate to your home and family.

The planet Uranus is unpredictable; and at this time, it is in the part of your chart relating to inheritances, taxes, debt and the wealth and resources of others. This means you might get a windfall - a financial boon or something you least expect. Or the opposite might occur, and you might find yourself cut out of a will or at a disadvantage regarding shared property. My guess is it will be positive because of the relationship of lucky Jupiter in your chart this year.

With the opposition of Neptune to your sign, you must strive as never before to be realistic in how you present yourself to others and also in how you see others. It's vital that you have realistic expectations of others, so that you are not disappointed in them or you do not accuse them of letting you down. You will ultimately see through this because you have a fine intellect and an analytical mind.

Highlights of 2017 Month by Month

A Sneak Peek Beyond

A subtle shift will occur for you in 2018. Many of you will have increased responsibilities with children; however, all of you will start to be more serious about life and wonder what it is that you really want to be when you grow up. (Regardless of your age.)

Take note because by 2019, you have the best opportunity to improve your home and your real-estate situation in over a decade! This is an excellent time to build, buy or sell. If you rent, you will rent something better. Whatever happens, you will enjoy where you live more, and even your relationship with family members will improve.

The year 2020 is a great vacation year followed by wonderful job opportunities and a chance to improve your job in 2021. Count on this!

Although partnerships are challenging in 2023-24, in the next year by 2025, you can put your name up in lights because your reputation is stellar. Looking fabulous!

Your Virgo Mantra for 2017

"I enjoy what I own and work to establish my home."

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 15, 16
• February 11, 12, 13
• March 11, 12
• April 7, 8
• May 4, 5, 6
• June 1, 2, 28, 29
• July 25, 26
• August 22, 23
• September 18, 19
• October 15, 16, 17
• November 11, 12, 13
• December 9, 10