When my mother went to work all those years ago, she faced the subtle (sometimes not so subtle) disapproval of her peers. Today I find myself in the very same position… for precisely the opposite reason. I stay at home with my children, working out of my home for a variety of unlikely bosses in all manner of occupations. Teacher. Writer. Counselor. Nurse. Mother.

I’m not sure who was the first to put together this job description of motherhood, but it’s one of my favorites… and accurate enough to douse the baby fever of anyone who reads it. Who would take this job? No pay… no vacation… complete and total responsibility for the lives (and choices) of every child you bring into this world. It is like no other relationship you will ever have. In fact, it seems most of the trouble with our society today is that too many women take on this task unthinking… without having any idea of what will be asked of them by that pair of eyes staring so intently into their own.

Once great men like Abraham Lincoln and George Washington recognized the contribution their mother’s made to their lives… their success. These days the role of mother gets little respect… an afterthought in high profile professional lives or a chance to exercise the might of science. No surprise a society with such a short attention span cannot appreciate work that bears fruit over many years.

Worse still is the phrase “working outside the home” — an insulting accommodation to stay at home mothers… a verbal pat on the head that’s supposed to have us not noticing that we’re being punished for our choice in wages and other, more subtle ways. Everyone’s quick to give lip service to the idea that being at home is work, raising responsible children is of value… all the while keeping the true belief unshaken and deeply entrenched in places the words don’t reach. Respect for women who stay at home is offered in word but not in spirit.

And we know it.

You see staying at home requires sacrifices… but intelligence isn’t one of them. We give up the companionship and adult conversation of an office, the entirely measurable contribution of an added salary to the family bottom line, the chance to show the world what we can do. That feeling of being relevant… in the game. These are the things we expected to do without when we made our choice. It’s the others, the ones we couldn’t have anticipated that burn hottest. The sudden shrinking of our world, the inability to give an accounting of our actions or the results of our efforts on some days… and perhaps most maddening of all, the standing need to defend our choice.

I lay a good measure of the blame for this on Peg Bundy — though a caricature, she reinforced the listless, lazy, self-involved stereotype of mothers at home. It was a well-established image in the mind of my co-workers when I left the corporate world after my third child arrived. The barbs were there… veiled by indulgent smiles as they told me how lucky I was, while telling themselves, and each other, that working while mothering was their choice… a hard-won opportunity. Working women who also parent children do have it harder — I have no problem admitting that and giving them their due. Sadly, the reverse isn’t true… in fact; these women are often the most intent on demanding an explanation. Why aren’t you working?

I’m not working because it’s best for my family. Plain and simple. There’s no rushing out the door in the morning… there’s time for appointments and projects and taking care of aging parents. Sick kids and snowstorms don’t throw our lives into chaos. We’re not always running… forever ten minutes behind. We don’t have lots of disposable income, but we do have time for things. And in this hectic, over-scheduled world the simple pleasures of life… a fall-blue sky, the joyful shouts of neighborhood boys at play, a crackling campfire in your own backyard are a welcome chance to get off the grid.

Sad that after all the hue and cry of the women’s movement and equality, so many of us continue to judge each other’s rights and choices. That a woman who has chosen to give up working to raise her own children continues to feel the need to justify that choice, especially to other women, is wrong. Equally misguided is the insistence that a woman who must (or wants to) earn a living prove herself a worthy mother. Anyone who knowingly takes on motherhood in this day and age is worthy and welcome… now, more than ever, we need to support each other instead of wasting time and effort finding fault with each other’s choices.

It’s past time for us stay at homers to shake of the disapproval of those petty enough to display it. Stand tall and proud… for without our work, maligned and misjudged though it may be, civilization falters and falls.

Health care reform is all over the news, and while the politicians argue about controlling costs, public insurance options and the impact on business, the real dangers to patients go unnoticed. Experts at the National Institute of Medicine report that as many as 98,000 Americans die each year as a result of preventable medical errors. And this rate is on the rise.

A mandatory, nationwide reporting system for such errors is not part of the Obama administration plan though it surely should be. As the daughter of a nurse who worked in a city hospital for over 25 years, I have a “trust yet verify” attitude toward medicine. There are working doctors (nurses too) who my mother to this day will not allow to treat her (or any of us). She’s instilled in me the idea that my health is as my responsibility as any doctor’s.

It’s not surprising, the power we give to medical professionals. After all, they can (and do) save our lives. We often see them in our most vulnerable moments… desperate, terrified times when we’re in no position to ask questions or make demands. The trouble is, not all doctors are good at what they do. Just as with any profession there are the good and the bad — only these bad ones bury their mistakes.

The number one rule of good medicine is first do no harm. Second to that, is the tacit agreement among doctors to keep each other’s secrets — forbidding them to speak ill of a fellow physician.

This was supported by one of the first large surveys to look at doctors and their attitudes conducted by Columbia University’s Institute on Medicine as a Profession that found a full 46% of the over 1600 doctors surveyed had seen “serious” medical errors by colleagues and hadn’t reported them. Makes me shudder to think of the families… the lives… that have been changed by those errors. It’s not that physicians don’t believe in reporting incompetence or mistakes by peers… they just don’t act on that belief. Even if a doctor is disciplined, the action has no teeth… for few feel comfortable taking away a fellow doctor’s livelihood.

The survey also found that doctors also ordered unnecessary tests (36%), chose to “manage” conflicts of interest, and didn’t disclose patients of these conflicts (25%). Only 69% of respondents accept uninsured patients, despite the widespread belief that doctors should provide care regardless of ability to pay.

So what’s a patient to do? Start by being your own advocate. While you’re healthy take the time to research potential physicians. Ask those you know for recommendations, and watch for repeating names. There are ample online resources to help you — HealthGrades, mydochub or revolutionhealth are all good places to start.

Visit the practice… check out the waiting room. If you can afford it, make an initial appointment so you and the doctor you’re considering can meet. And remember, he or she works for you… your insurance is paying for the care you get. If you don’t feel comfortable, don’t get the sense you’re a priority to this practitioner, keep looking.

And while Board Certified doctors have extra training beyond medical school and must pass an exam that certifies them as a specialist, this is no guarantee of good care. It may be of more value in a specialist than in a doctor you see regularly… all other things being equal.

A good doctor never makes you feel rushed or insignificant… he or she takes the time to listen and answer questions. There’s regular eye contact. He or she will never be insulted by your request for a second opinion. Good doctors welcome this, knowing another pair of eyes is ultimately for your benefit. He or she will encourage you to be part of your own healthcare.

A bad doctor is cold and distracted, rarely makes eye contact or seems impatient with questions or concerns. The physician gives the impression you must trust in his/her knowledge or skill without question. Calls go unreturned. You wait to be seen as if your time has no value.

Never forget that any doctor you see is working for you… not the other way around. The money to pay for their time comes out of your pocket, one way or another. You owe them nothing… no loyalty, no allegeance and no respect save what they’ve earned in the course of your care. As much as society endows medical men (and women) with almost super-human qualities, they are, after all, only human.

You may find it helpful to monitor bad doctors in your state. Do this by contacting Patty Skolnik, a one-person clearinghouse, who knows first hand what it is to lose a loved one to a medical mistake. Her son Michael was mis-diagnosed by a Denver doctor and endured a 6 hour surgery that left him paralyzed, partially blind and psychotic. Her efforts may keep another mother’s child (or loved one) from facing this same horror.

While healthcare reform would be nice, a more important issue — a reliable way to keep track of medical mistakes — hasn’t made it into the national discussion. As patients, all of us need to fight hard, ignore the medical profession’s inbred desire to guide and tolerate, but never partner with us in terms of our care. Never hesitate to ask questions. To trust your instincts. To be open to alternatives.

I had a problem with my Twitter account today… and it was right then and there, as I scanned the help pages to try and find an answer that I came face-to-face with the truth. I like Twitter… its become a part of my morning ritual. Somehow, when I wasn’t looking, it snuck right in there.

Today everyone’s talking about Twitter… and despite my best intentions I admit to becoming accustomed to seeing those 140-character bits of information from the people and organizations I follow. As a communicator by trade, I’m absolutely amazed at the ability to join in on a conversation with anyone, anywhere in the world. To follow events as they happen. When in history have we EVER had such access?

A recent study by a team out of Penn State has found that 20% of tweets are brand specific. Someone either asking about a product or providing feedback and giving companies a rich source of information.

Businesses of all sizes are coming around to giving Twitter its due… though it remains a scary, sometimes confusing place. Which is why there are “social media experts” aplenty who will tell you how to make the most of the newest arrival to the online scene. Truth is, just a bit of common sense and good manners will do you just as well as all the high-priced advice. Maybe better.

Having used Twitter almost every day for at least a year, here are my observations and suggestions for making the most of the service…

• Anybody can see what you tweet… that includes those from your personal AND business lives, as well as people you haven’t even met yet. It sounds so obvious… but people seem to forget they’re sharing their innermost thoughts and observations with the whole world. Have a care for what you put out there — my suggestion is this — if you’d squirm as it was read back to you in a court of law, or if you saw it as a headline on the front of the morning paper — refrain from tweeting it.
• Is there any value, besides to yourself, of the tweet you’re about to share? And we’re not talking value to YOU and your own personal network of friends — we all like to hear ourselves talk, brag about our kids, tout our latest accomplishment. By far, the more critical thing to look at when it comes to tweeting for business — will your tweet add to the discussion, support something crucial, inform and educate? Would you, as a customer, be glad to receive it? If your answer to any of these questions is “no” than resist the urge. If you must share, email or text contacts privately instead.
• Only upload photos you wouldn’t mind showing to your grandmother at a family reunion. Otherwise, keep the more intimate, more outrageous snaps for private showings. It’s not just what’s happening in the photo… but also the fact that you saw fit to post it that speaks volumes. Your digital reputation, like the old fashioned kind, is precious. Once it’s gone… it’s gone for good.

Lastly, and perhaps most important of all…

• How you conduct yourself on Twitter reflects on your business. Recently there have been reports in some pretty major media outlets about employers googling candidates or looking at Facebook pages as a screening tool before an interview. In fact, a recent Harris Interactive poll for CareerBuilder.com found 45% of employers (almost doubled from a year ago) using social networks this way. Most people are absolutely amazed at what is accessible online, and the digital presence they’re creating. If you share things that are just too personal… about your kids, political views, religious practices… this can make you look like you have too much time on your hands — why aren’t you busy attending to business?

To be sure Twitter has lots of applications for businesses of all sizes. You can reach customers (and prospective ones), you can keep up with what others are saying about you and your industry… you can get valuable feedback and new product ideas. Most of all, you can build a lasting relationship with a loyal group of followers… if you remember to give more than you receive, and always, always keep your business tweets courteous, professional and engaging.

Sharing opinions on Twitter is fine… exchanging ideas is great. It’s the reason social media has caught on. When it comes to using this social networking tool for your business however, think of tweeting just as you might talking face-to-face to a prospective customer. Hold the rhetoric, name calling and the pre-conceived notions of the other side — address your online audience just as you would any person standing before you.

Respect differences just as you demand respect. Watch your language (and spelling) and realize that unless you’re careful about what you tweet, you may unintentionally offend someone… a potential customer or associate you could end up needing one day.

Moving forward, if any other business tweeting suggestions come to mind, I’ll add them here, so check back if you like. After all, it’s the only place where you can find solid, common-sense social media advice at absolutely no cost.

I’m hoping you’ve come away with more than you paid for.

This is one of those posts where I must apologize in advance for the topic I’m about to raise. On some level I’m astonished that human beings have made it this far without destroying ourselves.

If you haven’t seen this around the internet over the last few days, count yourself lucky. Being in the advertising field I’ve heard plenty about the controversy generated by the tasteless and downright nasty 9/11 ad for the World Wildlife Fund (WWE) created by a Brazilian ad agency, DDB Brazil, and run (once) in a local newspaper.

If the visual isn’t unsettling enough, the copy delivers the final punch: “The tsunami killed 100 times more people than 9/11. The planet is brutally powerful. Respect it. Preserve it.“

That such an ad was concepted and presented… drafted and a visual created… then run in a newspaper without someone raising a red flag is downright chilling. As a veteran of the advertising world, let me tell you no one (despite what the WWE was saying) does anything without sign-offs from BOTH client and agency.

In this, there is enough blame fro everyone.

Not surprisingly, the outrage has been so intense that the WWE was obligated to issue an apologetic statement about the ad on September 2nd. The hapless Brazilian ad agency had issued their own apology, and as an extra measure of sincerity, fired the creatives involved with the ad. Until this bit of creative prowess WWE Brazil and the agency had worked in harmony for three years with quite a number of ads to their credit.

But those ad execs (creatives, too)  are always pushing for better… harder… edgier.

If all this isn’t bad enough, there’s more. This heinous bit of advertising sludge was then entered by parties unknown into an annual advertising contest. A contest! Sponsored by a group out of Manhattan no less. It seems that officials from The One Show, the group that affixed a merit award for public service to the piece, saw fit to pull it from their website last Wednesday.

It’s just so sad to see that as the 8th anniversary of that awful, dreadful day draws near, there are so-called professionals (in my field) who will stoop so low as to trade thier souls for a winning campaign. Maybe those creatives weren’t Amercians… nor the client/agency brass… but certainly those who thought this piece of trash was worthy of an award should be ashamed of themselves.

As you may have noticed if you’ve caught some of my earlier posts as well as my work on the now-defunct AJSgems blog, I’m one of those people who just loves jewelry. I can go into a fine jewelry store just to look… to ask questions and to learn more about colors and cuts.

It’s not all about owning it… because I don’t have much… it’s about the beauty of the stones… the intensity of the colors… the way a different cut can transform a stone… the combination of metals and gemstones that are worthy (IMO) of a moment of appreciation. Just as you might for a classic painting, stunning bit of architecture or a fine wine.

Which is why I was thrilled to come upon the wonderful piece in HELLO! Magazines‘ Brides section featuring photos of the engagement rings of today’s royals. What a great glimpse into the jewels of today… especially since these pieces will be worn day in, day out by these women.

As you’d expect, there are some jaw-dropping diamonds and other precious stones to be admired. There’s white gold and standout platinum shining along with the smiles of the engaged couple. And while I love the incredible jewels, photos like these are a reminder that there is a small but significant segment of this world that lives in a manner most of us can’t even begin to imagine.

What’s more, they don’t even know we exist.

I suppose it’s always been so… and always will be… I can only blame that pesky, refusing-to-be-silenced, “American dream” ideal for making me think otherwise. Funny how ideals like this, without our even realizing it, get into our very being and then won’t be dislodged… even when confronted with reality.

But enough of that… my point today is that if you enjoy looking at fine (all right, completely unattainable) jewelry as I do, take a look through the ten photos you’ll find here and see the stunning bling for yourself. You might never wear it, but at least you’ll know its out there!

It’s so reassuring to see that there are others who stop and think about some of the same (some would say irrelevant) things I do…

The most recent source of lingering annoyance for me came this past July with the change of name of one of my go-to channels. All of a sudden it was good bye cool, sensible Sci-Fi, and hello to awkward looking, nerdy, though copyrightable SyFy. I don’t want to imagine greater… I was doing just fine before thank you, and as a writer I feel some bit of responsibility to the English language… a feeling obviously not shared by the execs in the world of network television.

I can’t see myself getting used to the new “brand” anytime soon… it just seems goofy… alien. According to the network the idea is to represent a broader mix of programming… but it seems also to apply an added layer of dorkiness sci-fi fans hardly need.

At least I can take comfort in the fact that there are other highly observant souls out there who see fit to comment on these matters. Consider the exceptional piece by AJ DiChara (Sci-Fi Channel’s New Name— sly or fly?). I love the poll at the end, and encourage anyone interested to take it.

Not that it will change anything mind you… those savvy execs over at the network aren’t aware of, or worried by, any dis-satisfaction with the new look.

But if you’re struggling (or you like) the new look, cast your vote here, it’ll make you feel better.

Not sure about you all, but find myself confused by the health care debates taking place in this country. Everyone’s shouting… mis-information plays on fears and no one really minds a change, so long as it doesn’t cost anything. Sometimes it’s amazing that mankind has gotten this far…

Anyhow… enough of that. Here’s a great little slideshow I came across during my internet wanderings that does a wonderful job of explaining things. I got a lot from this… and think you would too. I encourage you to take a few minutes and go through the presentation… a surprisingly simple, unbiased and understandable summary of the issue.

It might sound strange for an astrology blog to focus on data, especially when astrology is so often dismissed by the experts as a pseudo science… yet paying strict attention to the data we use for our birth charts, or to cast charts for any event, is critically important. If the data is wrong, the interpretations are wrong and the chart is useless.

If you take nothing else from this post — always, always, always check and recheck your data. Do this before you do anything else.

Consider the most basic of all astrological studies — the birth chart. Just as our physical body is what the outside world sees of us… our birth chart (also known as a natal chart) is a picture of our inner world, taken at the exact moment we entered this world. Your birth chart shows the traits and talents and challenges you were born with, and gives clues as to how these might play out over your lifetime. A serious study of your natal chart can help you learn much about yourself… as well as where you came from and where you’re headed.

In fact, you’ll find that identical twins always have slightly different birth charts. Often astrologers find that twins split up the energies of the chart… which might explain why they are so different from each other. Twins tend to divide the energies of the chart between them… each choosing different ones to act out. One twin may own the Sun sign energies, while the other might choose the Moon sign… or one twin may live out the other twin’s shadow. Sharing features leads us to a false expectation that twins will be just as much alike on the inside. Yet this isn’t the case, each has his or her own unique journey to make through this life.

Thanks to the internet there are any number of places (Astrolabe and Astrodienst being two of the best) to get a free natal chart. This can be a blessing if you have all the correct birth information; a curse if you don’t — especially if you guess at your birth time or give in to the temptation to use a default (noon or 6:00 AM) time. The chart that will be generated for you will be misleading and largely inaccurate — like using another person’s x-ray to see if your hacking cough is really pneumonia.

Which brings us to an often overlooked point — any birth chart, whether computed online or by a professional astrologer as part of your reading, is only as good as the data you supply. To get a truly accurate natal chart, you’ll need to know your birth date (month, day and year), the exact time you were born, and the location. Before you convince yourself your own data is beyond reproach… ask yourself — are you relying on the memories of your parents or grandparents or do you have a birth certificate or other more unimpeachable record? Do you know the exact location of your birth… big city hospital or at home?

If you were born more than 20 or 30 years ago, the records of your birth may not be all that accurate, and tracking down the truth can be a challenge. Still there are ways to resolve an unknown birth time, and you should make the effort before you have a chart cast. A difference of 4 minutes can change things in a chart… which is why astrologers work so hard, and put such focus on having an accurate birth time. Using the right time ensures that the birth chart you end up with is truly representative of you.

If your own investigations into the time of your birth fail you, you might consider birth time rectification (the process of pinpointing your birth time based on the dates of other key events in your life). Be prepared to spend at least $100 to $150 for the service and be sure to use an astrologer who specializes in this type of work. You’ll be asked to supply dates and times of important events in your life, and the astrologer will use these to back into the likely time of your birth.

The accuracy of birth chart data for well known public figures has taken a huge step forward thanks to the lifelong dedication of Lois Rodden who collected data on 26,000 births over her 40 year career. Her high standards for data integrity have changed everything… and have given astrologers and students of astrology a way to tell good data from bad. The Rodden Rating system is now the universal standard for rating the accuracy of birth data according to where it comes from. Data marked with an AA, A and B are the best sources for information on the famous (or infamous) who are notorious for misrepresenting their birth data… except when visiting an astrologer.

You see now how critical it is to have the right data… an accurate time and place of birth (or accurate details for any event)… so that the chart you get back reflects the real possibilities and potentials inherent in that moment, at that place. By ensuring the data you use is the best it can be, you’ll avoid having a chart cast that won’t fit — and instead get one that contains valuable astrological insights to help you along the way.

I’m as concerned about the economy, my own livelihood and the value of my home as the next guy… but the unrelenting barrage of media attention on this topic is getting ridiculous. 

I was always taught to give credit where it’s due, and the seed of this idea came to life in my own thoughts while reading a piece by Paul Greenberg that appeared earlier this week in Jewish World Review. While he makes a lot of great points about optimism, and leadership, the ones I’ll touch on here focus on the doom and gloom economic reports delivered by the nightly news and mainstream media.

Greenberg’s points would certainly take the wind out of the sails of my ever-eager local anchor team…

In 2008, the American economy lost 3.4 million jobs, 2.2 percent of the labor force. If you remember, back in November of 1981 to October of 1982, we lost 2.4 million jobs — a smaller number of a smaller labor force, and coincidentally it works out to the very same 2.2 percent. What’s more, the unemployment rate this past January (7.6 percent) was far below the peak in 1982 of 10.8 percent. 

I actually heard that some companies are hiring this year. Hiring! What’s more, there are some technical jobs open at the companies in this regularly updated spreadsheet. There’s also a top 100 list out of Yahoo HotJobs that’s worth a look. 

And curiously, despite the economy that I’m told is hanging by the slimmest of threads, demanding immediate action and billions of dollars, I’m still waiting for a table at the local restaurant in my town, even on weeknights. The cash registers in every store I go in (especially the grocery store) are humming right along, and I continue to stand in my share of lines. The nail place is almost as booked as ever. Even reservations at ski lodges in my area, though down an estimated 10% this season, are still robust — despite all the gloomy economic news.

But unless you’re out there looking, you won’t be told this side of the story.

What’s so worrisome is that the mainstream media is so willingly (dare I say gleefully) reporting the economic downturn as the death of us all. It’s all doom… all the time. My local station has a smarmy graphic and catchy name for what’s going on… following drops in the stock market or releases of economic figures like they were casualty laden breaking news.

Greenberg caught a whopper of his own in mid February by the supposedly objective Associated Press. 

Quoting from an AP dispatch that appeared as straight news February 16, 2009 — “Passage of the stimulus measure — unprecedented in its cost — was a triumph for Obama as he struggles to lift the country from a financial nosedive unseen since the Great Depression of the 1930s.”

I checked, and found that story was reprinted everywhere, and if you tell people something enough, they come to believe it IS true. But Greenberg points out that comparisons to the 1930s are pretty unrealistic.

In the early 1930s, jobs were being lost at three times today’s rate, with one quarter of the country jobless by 1933. Over 10,000 banks would fail that year as well. While things today might be bad… even my parents (and those of their generation alive today) will tell you what’s going on right now is nothing like how dark and desperate it really was back then.

So what’s up? Why the emergency?

Funny thing about “emergencies” — people act without thinking, do things they might not otherwise… agree to anything (wage freezes, benefit cuts, service cuts) in hopes of surviving the crisis. The focus is on action… immediate, sweeping, grand gestures that are meant to strike fear in an unseen enemy, closing fast. Cooler heads usually can’t be heard over the hysterical din of the masses.

Now you can call me a cynic if you like… I’ve been (and probably will be) called much worse than that… but part of me can’t help but wonder if this “economic emergency” the media is trying so hard to cram down our throats is a clever way to get people to be driven by fear.

Why do that, you ask?

How much easier it is to present wage freezes, service cuts, toll hikes and the like when the dark cloud of the economic downturn looms overhead. How much simpler to get people to agree to just about anything that will “save” them during these uncertain days.

But what if we don’t need saving? What if we’re all just fine without all that, thank you? An article, and the email responses it generated in WritersWeekly, an online publication I get each week echoes the same theme. It’s just what I’ve been seeing here in suburban New Hampshire.

Which makes us all the more foolish if we let a complacent, well heeled and indolent mainstream media convince us otherwise. And if you need practical tips to fight the fear and take back your thoughts… here’s a great article that can help you do just that.

While messenger Mercury gets all the attention when it comes to retrograde motion — the appearance of moving backward in the sky from our viewpoint here on Earth — most people don’t realize that all the other planets (except the Sun and Moon) have retrograde periods as well. To understand retrogrades, it’s best to view them as a cycle that begins as a planet slows down and comes to a stop (that station) and includes the time spent moving in the opposite direction, as well as the slowdown and stopping points that send the heavenly body forward once more.

Think of the planet as the what, but the tone of the retrograde comes from the sign occupied by the planet. If you were born with a retrograde planet (or planets) in your chart, than these periods will be especially important. As for the rest of us, the influence of a retrograde will have personal meaning only if it involves a planet that’s strong in your chart… Saturn for example. You may also feel the impact of the retrograde if the planet in question is moving over another planet or point in your own chart.

Retrogrades generally are periods when you need to slow down… as the planets above are doing. They are time of change… changes in things, in minds, in information and in people. The energy of the planets, quite literally, is reversed… turned inside out.

It sometimes seems the retrograde periods come before an event that feels inevitable or fated, perhaps especially related to the sign where the retrograde occurs. In the interest of fairness, let’s look at the other retrograde periods to come during 2009.

Let’s start with graceful, pleasure loving Venus…

Planet              How Often                     Period in 2009                     Sign                         

Venus            every 18 months            03/06 to 04/17                      15:27 Aries

When the goddess of love and beauty is backing up… the things Venus influences will be of less concern to the world. We may evaluate the real worth and the value of people and things in our life. People may dress with less style… and our color senses might be off. Redecorating now isn’t always wise, and this isn’t a time to buy clothing or fine jewelry, or make a change in makeup or hairstyle. Relationships slow down or if they begin now are stormy and short lived. Negotiations grind to a halt and it’s not the best time to get married or host a big event.

These are times when our values may be called into question. There can be betrayals, severing of a relationship or even public scandals. Sometimes these periods challenge us to go back and take care of unfinished business… deal with deep feelings that have their origins in the past.

Next is energetic, warrior god Mars…

Planet              How Often                     Period in 2009                     Sign                         

Mars               once every 2 yrs            12/20 to 03/10/10                19:42 Leo

The strength and direction of the will to achieve is certainly changed when this planet goes retrograde. When the red planet backs up it gives rise to irrational action, introspection, depression and self-assessment, sexual issues and possible conflict in relationships. Sometimes tempers can be uncertain and people get restless.

Trouble with authority, particularly male authority can be common during this time.

Your vitality may very well be depleted during this time, so it’s not a good idea to initiate, a new project, a new relationship, an argument or any conflict. In fact, slowing down in general is a good idea now. Anything started during this time is  at greater risk of fizzling out… going nowhere. You might also not want to buy anything mechanical… or at least not doing so without lots of insurance.

The solar system giant optimistic Jupiter goes retrograde…

Planet              How Often                     Period in 2009                     Sign                         

Jupiter            once a year                     06/15 to 10/12                     27:01 Aquarius

When naturally expansive Jupiter goes retrograde, the emphasis is on inner awareness and growth. It’s an excellent time to get in touch with personal integrity. Look at ways you might not be being honest with yourself… or playing a role that’s disloyal to who you really are.

Expansion often runs into problems… sure things aren’t so certain anymore. Sometime the things we think we need are removed from our lives under this influence, the end result being beneficial to us moving forward.

Sometimes this period brings an event that reminds you of a time when you had better perspective. It’s an excellent time to pursue Jupitarian projects like returning to school, taking a trip you’ve postponed or making a connection to a long, lost friend. Due to the spiritual cast of this particular retrograde, it may not be the best time to start material projects.

Taskmaster Saturn has been retrograde since the start of 2009…

Planet              How Often                     Period in 2009                     Sign                         

Saturn            once a year                     12/31/08 to 05/17                21:46 Virgo

During retrograde motion, Saturn slows down the regular rate of activity so that better methods and strategies can be created. It can make us work with extra effort, think deeply… no rushing or shortcuts. Now’s the time to go back and solidify past commitments made, projects started or responsibilities undertaken — only deal with issues from the past, don’t take on new things (especially new businesses) now.

Upsets and delays are often a normal part of life… there may be extra responsibility or demands for your time. Re-evaluate and be open to new ways to structure your inner world. Sometimes you may find yourself facing an inescapable dilemma.

Weed out any sources of frustration now and understand how much you can do before you start to feel frustrated, trapped or confined.

Uranus, erratic and independent goes retrograde…

Planet              How Often                              Period in 2009            Sign                         

Uranus           5 months of every year          07/01 to 12/01            26:37 Pisces

When retrograde Uranus is more potent, the energy builds to a point and then explodes into the outer world. Expect the unexpected… sudden shifts and reversals. This period stimulates deep psychological investigation and analysis. Tap into your innermost creativity for new ideas. Rebelliousness can be intense and sometimes misdirected. Sometimes urges to be free are reawakened, though it’s best just to be aware of these urges at this time, not to act on them.

This period can see a wild side set free, or turn a shy person into an engaging extrovert, the shifts will amaze and maybe amuse you. Look for things to bring the complete opposite, or no effect at all.

Dreamy Neptune wants to dissolve boundaries and will be retrograde this year…

Planet              How Often                              Period in 2009            Sign                         

Neptune        5 months of every year          05/28 to 11/04             26:29 Aquarius

When Neptune backs up it causes boundaries between reality and illusion are blurred; there’s a sensitivity that’s much more acute, and we can see further than normal. Perhaps our intuition or inner vision is stronger and allows a more insightful perspective on things. Delusions are possible a

nd this can be a time that’s dangerous for decision-making as you may be unrealistic in your optimism.

Logic is often trumped by intuition and feelings during these times… and you can listen to that voice now. You might notice and pay more attention to dreams, or simply explore a creative outlet. As the planet of make believe, these periods sometimes bring shifts in film and television.

During this time we’re better able to pick up illusions, and find out about issues that have eluded us at other time.  Listen to your inner voice, though Neptune retrograde can bring a sort of psychic overload for very sensitive people. Avoid drugs, chemicals and stimulants during this time.

Lastly, lord of the underworld, powerful, intense Pluto goes retrograde…

Planet              How Often                              Period in 2009            Sign                         

Pluto               5 months of every year          04/04 to 06/11            03:18 Capricorn

During times when Pluto is retrograde you can see much more than normal, so it’s easy to get suspicious of others motives. The emphasis is always directed inward, toward the psyche or psychological patters that can affect the body. The regenerative powers of this sub-planet are far greater during retrogrades.

Fresh starts and dead ends often are part of retrograde Pluto… destruction and rebuilding, regeneration. Sometimes what we hold most tightly can suddenly be taken, and we are at the mercy of heavy forces that our outside our control. The forces of war, weapons and upheaval.

You might find yourself letting go — so of an intern al house cleaning. We have an intense power of investigation now, and can use this to look at recurring patterns in our lives that make us feel out of control. Use this time to get more control over your personal life.

As you can see the outer planets stay retrograde for some months, in fact, you have one retrograde planet in your chart even as you read this. In a personal chart, the aspects to the outer planets make to the personal planets or points are key. Further study on your own, or a consultation with a professional astrologer can help you uncover the opportunities and challenges of retrograde periods in your own life.