Beware not to overdo. You could get a little too anchored to your environment and, unlike a balloon going up and up, you become a prisoner of gravity. It is important to allow chance and change into your life.

Professionally, an earthy person can be a mover and shaker: you can move mountains where other people are stuck living in the clouds of their daydreams. What better time than Mercury in Taurus for laying the financial groundwork and then nurturing your efforts, like plants in a well-tended garden.

When it comes to relationships, Mercury in Taurus can be very sensual. This is Mercury, after all, so we are literally talking about the ability to seduce with your words and the quality of your voice. Does your voice exude the sexiness and charm of Barry White? Are your words sincere or do you just fling them out there in any way, shape or form, without any thought at all to their delivery?

People will take their time to decide anything under the spell of this Mercury transit. So if you want to capture hearts, you have to work on stimulating the senses with your soft words, gentle touch and displays of appreciation. Slow down the pace and take the time to listen to what others have to say right now. Your mind can wander, but at least look like you’re paying attention. Why? Because people happen to consider a good listener sexy. Make them feel like you’re interested in what they have to say and you’ll be sure to rock their world by putting the spotlight and attention right on them.

No matter what this Mercury transit is ideal to create specific goals and focus your conversations on building a solid foundation.  For a goal to be a goal, and not a wish, it must be specific and mapped out so you have something practical to strive for. Channel your inner Bull to get things done and see what tangible results you can manifest!

Affirmation: “I’m grounding my dreams in reality. Mercury is there to help me take my goals to the next level and spring them onto the world!”

Cosmic love!
Zuri ♥

Image: David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

“Should I go or should I stay?” That is the question. If you feel like the Universe is pulling a Dr Doolittle by making you feel torn on which way to go, then this is the Moon to work through it or at least to shed light on your dilemma. A Scorpio Full Moon acts like a powerful truth serum, peeling away the exterior of any situation to reveal the secrets buried within.

So let’s look at some possible scenarios, shall we? At work, you may be giving it your all, but you just aren’t getting what you need out of the arrangement. If you take time to contemplate the situation, this full moon does brings enlightenment, revealing that while some things might be quite good, you still aren’t getting a lot of the things important to you feeling emotionally or financially fulfilled moving forward. This Scorpio Full Moon advises you to at least look at other options and be open to a rebirth somewhere else.

Feelings are definitely more intense during the Scorpio lunar phase and any emotions that have been simmering beneath the surface flow outward. Explore whether or not you are getting fulfillment from your relationships. Scorpio will ask, “Are you with the wrong person, the someone who can’t give you what you need? Really, has it been over for months, even years?”

Just like lunar phases, relationships change because the people in them do. And sometimes, the Scorpio tendency is to hold on long after a situation is good for us. If you open up and talk about your needs, any relationship can be saved. But your partner will need to put in the effort and learn how to show how he or she loves you if they want the relationship to grow + transform. Remember being in like and feeling alive are also important ingredients to maintaining that passion and spark. If you aren’t getting that support and the love ultimately fades out like a candle flame, Scorpio reminds you that this cosmic journey does brings healing and completion, so you can close the door on what no longer works and find love again.

With the Full Moon sitting opposite the Taurus sun, think about where you are being stubborn and not allowing change and where movement must flow to bring you happiness. Tap into the power of the Scorpio Full moon to release your grip on jealousy, power struggles or any habitual behaviors that stunt transformation and new beginnings. Allow the Scorpio waters to spiritually cleanse out the junk and emotionally strengthen the way for a better tomorrow.

Affirmation: “Whenever I am at a crossroads, I can tap into the power of the Scorpio full moon for inner strength and change. Transformation is mine to embrace, through baby steps and taking action towards bigger and better decisions. I release my past and what does not serve my soul’s growth.”

Cosmic love!
Zuri ♥ 

Image Credit: kangshutters / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Happy May!

This month may have you thinking, where did the time go? And did I get everything accomplished that I needed to? With the World Year and May both being 5 energy vibrations, you can honestly expect the pace of this month to be fast and full of unexpected twists and turns.

So try and remain flexible to the changes ahead and embrace the fresh starts and new beginnings that this 1 universal month has in store. Whether it’s thinking outside the box and self-promoting to land a new position or project, or learning how to prioritize your needs so you can achieve the goals you’ve set out to manifest, this is your time to put yourself in the driver’s seat of opportunities that may come your way by being at the right place at the right time.

Here’s to a month filled with May flowers + dreams that blossom into reality!
Zuri ♥

Image Credit: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

You can’t see the New Moon in the night sky, but it’s there resonating with new beginnings and new ways to achieve abundance. Today is the first step on the path towards gaining financial mastery. Now you can plant the seeds of intent and cultivate your own garden for a richer harvest.

Taureans prize their sense of security, and for many a secure financial situation is a comfort zone, and this is something this lunar light inspires you to strive for too. You’ll accomplish a great deal if you take the bull by the horns and begin by ‘fixing’ (Taurus is a fixed sign) a budget. Don’t feel that budget needs to be a ‘four-letter word’. It won’t be if you set realistic goals and stick to them with a resilient attitude. And don’t ignore the need for the nice little things that make you happy either.

The sign of Taurus represents exquisite taste, so think about how you can get the same quality on a shoestring budget. It’s likely that your profits increase as the Moon’s light does, but do watch your spending after the Full Moon. Why? Because as the Moon gets smaller and smaller, it disappears from the cosmic sky just like the funds in your bank account would, if you’re not mindful of the decisions you make.

For the icing on the cake, this lovely New Moon conjuncts Jupiter on Sunday, bringing an energizing spirit of optimism as you begin to accumulate your nest egg. It helps you start afresh and build a new life on your New Moon resolution. With the light of this new moon, you can definitely bank on your success if you build anything on a stable foundation + exercise patience while you watch it grow.

Affirmation: “I AM ready to take the budget bull by the horns and create a plan! I don’t doubt that I can do it because I have the strength to succeed and reach my goals with stubborn conviction.”

Cosmic love!
Zuri ♥ 

Have you felt like your life’s been a soap opera lately? Oh, I know I have. Now that we’re out of the Aries Sun cycle, and entering a more grounded four weeks of Taurus energy, I’m sure we can all relate in a been there, done that kind of way.

In Taurus, the Sun gives us practical doses of reality like the highs of happiness to the lows of troubled waters. It’s how you react to the ebb and flow of life and roll with the punches that determine your long term potentials for success. Ride the waves of change with patience and know that you’re on the yellow brick road to growth and ultimately going on to something or someone better and greater.

Now that the Taurus Sun’s in residence until May 20th, there’s a synchronous happening within spring’s growth season when tiny shoots of plants rise onward and upward, maturing within the fertile soils of Mother Earth. Do you feel it? Can I hear an amen on that?

What do we have to grow and nurture this month? What poverty consciousness are we leaving behind for more abundant thinking? The Sun’s in an opportunity aspect with Neptune in the first week. Here are the dashes of ESP for your listening pleasure, as you understand and manifest in the physical through intuition and imagination. The Sun trines Mars, and adds a pinch of assertiveness. April ends with the Sun trining Pluto, just in case a pinch wasn’t enough. Let’s call this one a tablespoon of jet fuel to propel your fast track towards great achievement and the extra catalyst for making solid changes.

You’ll be busy with all of the above until about mid-May when the Sun conjuncts Jupiter. Now we are talking over the top juicy optimism. You’re now on the other side of the troubled waters. You’ve made wise changes and good luck is yours for the asking.

Then there’s some of you still living on the adrenaline fumes left behind from the Aries sun cycle. So, let’s suppose you are really into life recreating art. It’s on with the show, the drama and dramatizing, ‘earthquakes’ and emotional seismic tremors that keep you on your toes and in the center of the action. Life can be soooo booooring when there’s rock-solid earthiness, right? But, sometimes starring in your own daily soap opera has physical ripple effects that aren’t so pretty.

Just think about how much rocking your foundation can take before it weakens, or bring new sags and wrinkles from the worry and stress. If you’re not careful, Taurus-Venus-like beauty turns into a beast. People begin asking you if you’d like to take advantage of your AARP discount, and you are only 27 years old. Now, do you want to think a bit more about making self-care a priority, and cancel your drama series?

Do yourself a favor and detach from the crazy. Practice self-care with some feel-good activities that re-energize your root chakra and bring you back to balance. Connect with Gaia, the Goddess of the Earth, to stabilize your thoughts, and seek action that makes you feel secure, prosperous + safe. Whether it’s yoga, massage, Reiki or getting in touch with the beauty of nature, your body and sanity will thank you for it.

Affirmation: “My heart and mind are open to growth and I am ready to take advantage of the Taurus sun’s opportunities!”

Cosmic love!
Zuri ♥

Expressive Mercury in fiery Aries doesn’t do anything subtly like hint and hope someone gets it. It’s the type of energy that knows what it wants. In other words, how can you get what you want if you don’t know what that is? Goals can only be achieved by taking decisive action and without them all you’ve got are wishes and that simply won’t cut the mustard.

Let’s say you’ve been struggling with your weight and whenever you pass by your local gym, you think: “I’d really like to drop fifteen pounds”. It’s just a wish until you take action on the desire to get in better shape, right? If fiery Aries is anything it is direct and specific. In Mercury, it calls for action. Are you up for the challenge to change your thinking in a way that empowers and inspires movement? Now that Mercury’s hanging out with kick butt, warrior Aries, you can courageously affirm: “Today, I start a diet and exercise program,” and make it happen by teaming up with a personal trainer or taking a few spin classes every week. If you actually do, you’ve done something that could easily result in being a couple of dress sizes smaller. But, Aries does require that action step to get to where you want to be. Mercury will challenge your old limiting beliefs about what you can’t do and push you to try new things that can lead to better results, if you’re ready for it.

What about relationships? When Samantha broke up with her boyfriend, her famous parting words were: “I love you, but I love me more.” So think about your needs and whether you are standing up for them while Mercury makes a transit through “I want it yesterday” Aries. What do you say if you are ready for a commitment and have been waiting, waiting, and waiting for a person who is still unsure of their feelings? Impatient Aries may just serve as a wake up call that enough time has passed + you’re done waiting. It’s time to take the ram by the horns and ask yourself the hard questions: If they are unable to decide then just what action are YOU taking? And have you made any progress getting there? You have the right to ask, because you need to make your plans to move forward, with or without them.

Affirmation: “My words resonate with confidence. I am at no loss for words, but what I say is kindly spoken. It is okay to say no. I channel my inner Samantha Jones to inspire my mission and attain my goals.”

Cosmic love!
Zuri ♥

Sounds ominous? Not really. And there is a very good reason for that. More information comes to light through each backward and forward motion, revealing more stuff than was there previously. As with all retrograde planetary influences, as icing on the proverbial cake, you can correct errors and make amends. Your mission is to avoid ignoring the problems (this time perhaps) when they resurface, and let Pluto do its transformational thing that it does best. The idea here is not to avoid the psychological healing that’s needed to move forward emotionally. Pluto represents a dynamic opportunity to go within, to travel to the inner plane for peace of mind.

Let’s talk about ‘smoldering’ Pluto because retrogrades tend to push things inward temporarily. Anger is a good candidate for that as in: “Of course I’m not mad”, (inside I’m seething, but I’ll be lovely and sweet to the person I am maddest at). When this is applied to someone special in your life, ask yourself: Are you running an honest relationship? And is this good for the inner you; to withhold the fact that something bothers you a whole, whole lot? Anger is okay. The problems come when we express it inappropriately. It’s often the result of withholding it until it explodes, or worse allowing it to keep imploding and create more complications.

The Pluto retrograde combines deep thought and granite determination that shouldn’t be stuffed inside when in retrograde motion, as sometimes happens when a planet changes direction. The Pluto days can be power days if we use them right. Here, use the energy for all it’s worth: transform and overcome limitations, cleanse and heal, and eliminate the old to make way for the new. The planet Pluto, itself, highlights core issues that you can now approach in a deep meaningful way. You reclaim old and embrace new power that leads you forward.

For example, look at where you have given up power. You can learn from the lessons of the Pluto retrograde to create self-protective ground rules. Think about relationship control issues. In an unequal partnership someone else makes all the decisions in a my-way-or-the-highway type of arrangement. Since two people, not one, make a relationship isn’t it time for new ground rules? Take back your power and show them they’re not the boss of you. Make your decision to choose what you want with a calm air of authority: “You decided without me. I will decide what I want without you.” All it takes is the courage to know what you want and the strength of will to choose.

Pluto tends to bring tough issues to the surface so they can undergo purging and cleansing. Your own particular encounter during the retrograde may not be control issues, and it may not be the first time you’ve been made aware of a situation that needs to change. It could be a deja vu experience going back to 2009 continuing to encourage your growth so your life is richer and more solidly built (ala Capricorn’s earthy sign). You will know it when it emerges.

Affirmation: “I accept Pluto’s mission and create a better existence. I embrace the transformation, growth, refining  in mind, spirit and body.”

Cosmic love!
Zuri ♥

The key perpetrators often are work vs. domestic life and equality in relationships. Let’s start with the former balancing act between your 8+ hours a day work environment and your happy little corner of the world once the day is done. Let there be spaces in the two.  Don’t bring home your work problems, and vice versa.

You can see relationship equality issues in the dazzling radiance of the Full Moon. Envision love as two hearts doing their fair share as both take care of each other. Trouble in paradise happens when one person loves more than they are loved back. One person does it all, toting around the emotional load. One person is in a good relationship (the taker) while the other only believes they are. It’s really a one-person show.

“Okay, so I’m in an unequal relationship, what do I do?” I know someone whose husband kept saying, it’s ‘my way or the highway’, and after her love tank hit empty, the wife opted for the road to a better tomorrow. And I’ve known mates who have changed to make it work. If someone loves themselves, they change because they don’t want a divided path anymore. They are willing to work to salvage the relationship and get into counseling together to improve the way in which they interact.

Getting life in balance is about getting yourself back in alignment too. So tap into the power of the Libra Full moon to balance the scales and make it an even give + take!

Affirmation: “It by the fullness of the Libra Moon that we can make our relationship work. I do my part to make the relationship more balanced and I hold my partner accountable for his investment in the growth of our union. Together, we can improve our connection by making our relationship a priority.”

Cosmic love!
Zuri ♥

Image Credit: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Ah! There are two sides to THIS story, when the planet of love is in the dual sign of Gemini.

Side A is Venus operating as the mood-softening sweetie. Since the transit highlights communication in the sign of Gemini, affectionate words are kindly spoken. During the retrograde period couples, feeling the love vibration, recapture magical rapport. In other words, the romance isn’t over. And singles can really get out there and make a love connection if they really want a new romance to blossom in time for the summer.

Side B is Venus with all of the nesting instincts of a butterfly. I just finished a book called While I Was Gone by Sue Miller. In the book, the protagonist Jo Becker is married to someone who genuinely loves her. She is the mother of three. And although she has a rewarding career as a veterinarian, she experiences a return of the chronic restlessness that caused her to run away from her first marriage. Venus’ blessings and inner happiness elude her because she has a sense of something missing from her life, but yet not knowing what it is.

Side B could emerge during the Venus retrograde (between May 15, 2012 and June 27, 2012), when something feels like it’s missing and your mission is to discover what that is and work to heal it.

Bear in mind that this energy can affect us personally or shift course and focus its aim on the people in our lives, hitting them like an emotional ton of bricks. If you’re single, you may feel like a social butterfly right now, flying from one flower to the next in search of the perfect match. Ask yourself where you are comparison shopping in your life, thinking that what you have needs an upgrade or tweak? Is the grass truly greener on the other side or are you blinded by the emotionally charged high of reconnecting with someone who holds the potential of something more exciting?

The antidote to Side B is to be lighthearted about encounters, with the realization that someone might be deeply in love for only about a minute. Venus may bring lessons of falling in love with the potential, rather than the reality. Be careful not to confuse infatuation and fantasy with real love right now. Because Gemini needs constant variety + stimulation, people may feel trapped in their situations and look for ways to find personal freedom. Just make sure you’re not leaving something great because you’re going through a 7 year itch.

Affirmation: “Love is a feeling. Venus is the path to love, helping me learn what the true path to love and fulfillment is. It is through the journey I learn, and add a richness to my life. I go beyond trivial conversation with the one I love + choose to deepen my relationship by focusing on substance, rather than fleeting bouts of fancy.”

Cosmic love!
Zuri ♥

Image: creativedoxfoto / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Now that we’re in the heart of Spring, we’re returning to a more grounded, stable energy and with April being the 4th month of the year, we can look to ways to get more connected with Mother Earth and practice earth magic. It’s no accident that Earth day happens to fall on April 22!

We’re leaving a lot of the scattered energy behind and entering a month where disciplined focus and practical action are the dominating forces propelling us forward.

The ’4′ energy of the month also supports taking better care of your health. So, if you haven’t already, schedule a check up with your health care provider, explore new vitamins or supplements and make a promise to yourself to get your health in better shape. Ultimately this month is all about building solid foundations that you can build upon for the future. And, in order to do that, you also have to clear out the baggage of the past in order to make room for the plans you wish to follow through on.

April is a ’9′ universal month, which can be about endings and completion. So ask yourself what do you need to release and let go of in order to move forward from an empowered place? Be on the look out for situations, emotions and people from the past that resurface for healing and closure. It’s funny how they have a way of creeping back in when you thought it was over and done with.

Don’t be afraid to get extra support from a therapist or counselor to help heal stuck emotions and get you past a plateau to a new level of peace + understanding. Embrace the theme of spring cleaning on all levels this month to clear out the old, create balance and make way for the new beginnings you have planned for your future!

Lots of love!
Zuri ♥