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In early February, there will be a partial eclipse of the Sun in Aquarius, but this will not be visible from most populated parts of the world. Nevertheless, the concentration of energies in Aquarius create tensions and deceptions in your relationships with friends, perhaps leading to separations. Dealing with career issues will become urgent. Potential problems in clubs or associations of which you may be a member will need to be resolved in the run-up to the Grand Mutation at the end of May. In any case, it's a time for the ending of old feuds and a new beginning in your relationships with those at home and family members in general, especially your parents.

If you are willing to put aside your own goals, individuality, perhaps even your pride, you may not fare too badly during this period. If you have failed to live up to your promises or accept responsibilities in the past, this is a time when those actions may come back to haunt you. Expect to encounter discouragement at the hands of authority, rules and regulations, endless delays, and other frustrations. Your leadership, integrity, honesty, or generosity are apt to be challenged by those who are older or in positions of seniority. Your vitality and willpower are either lacking or too ineffective. No matter what happens, even with regard to what you may think of as fairly fortunate conditions, it is wise to remember that you will gain nothing at this time without the loss, either now or in the future, of something more valuable. Overwork and stress may pose a health problem to your heart or spine.

The things you choose to do or the time you choose to do them are almost sure to present endless difficulties. Systems and schedules simply do not function as well as they should or as you had planned. You may not be feeling well. Household tasks are endless and boring. Family and other close relationships become strained by unnecessary nagging and nit-picking. Older machinery or appliances break down, possibly because you failed to give them routine maintenance or should have replaced them long ago. There is a certain vitality missing in your environment. People lack a sense of humor--including yourself. It is not the best time to buy or sell a home. If you have children, you must be alert to the fact they are more vulnerable to illness and may also become more fearful or frustrated than usual during this period. There is a positive side to the potential of your current circumstances. Most of what goes wrong, or at least does not go well, is likely to be merely a temporary malfunctioning of one sort or another. Refuse to admit defeat. Resist depression and discouragement. Your efforts will be rewarded.

Lord of Fortune

In mid-February, though, shining Jupiter enters Taurus, your first house of personality and self-image, just as glorious Mars ascends his day-throne, Aries. One of the main sources of pleasure these days is yourself. This is a period to appreciate your uniqueness as an individual, your physical appearance and the various facets of your personality. Avoid overgrand gestures trying to impress others-- perhaps what you are really trying to do is impress yourself. People may get the impression you have a higher status or importance than may really be the case. This can and should be a period to gain a much better understanding of yourself and to explore ways you can become even better. There is a big inclination to overindulge and to put on weight. If you can resist the temptation to go overboard, your efforts will result in a much healthier self-image. Your father or his status may have a more prominent role to play than usual.

Mars makes the fortunate trine aspect to Pluto at the beginning of March, so research and investigation flourish during this period, especially regarding your role in overseas projects, cultural issues, education and dealings with foreigners. You can really get to the bottom of things with the help of the intense, focused energy that surrounds you. Psychological analysis, assessment of property, and financial investments are infused with a physical focus that gives keener perception to the intellectual efforts. Under this influence you have all the control you need if you do not take it for granted. You can also see how to apply its subtle but deadly accurate force. Your recuperative powers, should you need them, are at a high level. A big shakeup can be expected in the early weeks of March, especially once Pluto turns retrograde on the 15th. Your attitude and activities involving joint income and property, inheritance, taxes, and insurance is under pressure. Your understanding of investment, payment as well as collection of debts, and finances in general will increase. While these areas at first seem rather mundane, the actual experiences you are likely to have concerning them are profound and result in changes in other areas of your life. Income and joint assets may be gained or lost, but you will learn that your personal worth cannot really be measured by such things. In the end, the control and personal power you seek will transcend material wealth or the lack of it. The development of your skills and talent can, if necessary, be used to make you financially independent of joint income, but more importantly, they represent your worth and uniqueness as an individual. You are forced to question your motives and behavior as well as to analyze the motives and behavior of those who have had or still have a great deal of influence over you. Gaining personal power and greater control is the object of this period and there is no better place to start than by gaining a deeper understanding of yourself.

As March draws to a close, Mars strides into Taurus, part of the massive concentration of cosmic heavyweights gathering in May. His energizing influence arouses your competitive spirit and inspires you to be more aggressive, perhaps even physically combative, than you may ordinarily be. Should contrary influences in the current circumstances prevent you from actually being more energetic, you are still likely to want to give others the impression of being very busy. You may be less patient and more restless. Physical activities are directed to satisfying personal needs and goals. If you have an accident or experience illness at this time, it is apt to involve your head or face. Be careful when handling sharp objects and hot or explosive materials.

The Taurus New Moon in conjunction with the benefic fixed star Alpheratz on April 4 heralds the beginning of a new cycle of grace, popularity, independence and honours, so despite the stress, it's a sign you'll do well in your personal year.

The Grand Mutation

This is a banner year for Taureans. May sees a gathering of all the major planets in your own sign. Only the three outermost, transpersonal planets are elsewhere. This certainly is a year of big changes and confrontations, when Jupiter and Saturn now form the Grand Mutation, their final conjunction in an earthy sign for hundreds of years. Some astrologers hold that this is really the first light of the dawning of the Age of Aquarius. This massive conjunction at 22° Taurus opposes the fixed star Unukalkhai (Alpha Serpentis), which at 22° Scorpio was associated with the gigantic earthquake in Turkey after the solar eclipse of August 1999. Unukalkhai was rising over Istanbul at the point of greatest eclipse. It will be setting at the end of May.

Now the stress from all this is intense. You need to really take control of loose ends and batten down the hatches now, for it's a time of intensity and change, some good, some dificult. As Saturn and Jupiter join at the end of the month, there could be a real resolution of the difficulties which have been coming to a head over the last few months.

Uranus glowers in his retrograde station during May 2000 at 20° Aquarius, in conjunction with the malefic fixed star, Castra (destruction; uncontrollable temper; malevolence). This squares both Saturn and Jupiter, the aspect being partile (exact) just days before their Grand Mutation. As a result, you may experience a complete change of career, or if not a career, at least a significant alteration in one of the major directions of your life. You may be of an appropriate age and circumstance that you initiate such a change yourself as a normal phase of development, or at least would welcome it if it happened. Outside forces over which you have no control take over. The inspiration of drastic change may, at least in part, be triggered by the actions of those around you, new people you meet, or situations you never expected to encounter. Separation from home, family members, or those who have represented authority figures may occur during this time.

Rethinking Your Priorities  

Mars bounds into Gemini early in May and the energized atmosphere brings increased communications and activities, especially with close relatives and neighbors. Information and ideas flow in. Physical efforts turn to financial and business matters, bringing more organization to your bank and financial papers. Go through bills and accounts and make payments. Take action regarding debts, assets, and income. Some energy will be required to increase income: finding overtime, seeking an additional job, or doing whatever necessary to earn money. Hold on to something or someone you deem highly worthwhile. Establishing new priorites and rethinking your attitudes is appropriate now.

Creative Powers  

June and July seem somehow more fated, with the three transpersonal planets retrograde, but the entry of Venus, Mars and the Sun into creative Cancer between the 17th and the 22nd makes the solstice even more potent than usual. Your mental processes are energized. Charming Venus turns flattery, charm, and a sense of humor on your part into a most persuasive art this month. You should have no trouble gaining favors from others, as pleasant relations develop with neighbors and people with whom you come in daily contact. If such contacts have been troubled in the past this is a good time to improve them. You may also have a greater urge or perhaps opportunity to improve relationships with brothers, sisters, cousins, and in-laws. You may visit or contact nieces or nephews away at college. Some of your best social opportunities, however, are right in your immediate environment. Filled with many new ideas, you'll have an urge to read more, gather information and learn new things. You really need to communicate, as you become busy planning projects, attending meetings, running around. Buying a computer, new car, or communications equipment, or upgrading your present gear may well be on the agenda. You may find yourself assuming leadership in community affairs. Be more assertive in self-expression, but avoid the delusion that your own ideas and opinions are the only ones worth listening to. Pleasant or not, it is in your best interests to turn each situation into a positive learning experience.

Extravagant Urges  

Extravagant Jupiter enters your second house at the beginning of July. Money becomes the source of pleasure, which is fine if you can afford to spend it, but Jupiter usually errs on the side of excess, so keep a firm hand on the plastic! Make an enjoyable experience out of learning how to conserve and invest current assets, as well as finding ways to increase your income. Resist the tendency to exaggerate your wealth or status to impress others and control unnecessary purchases of luxury items and other status symbols. Higher education, political interests, religious or spiritual activities, travel, publishing, and cultural pursuits will soak up the funds fo the rest of the year.

Romance and Charm  

Venus spends most of August in your fifth house of romance and enjoyment. If you'd like to put a little more romance in your life this is the time to try it. Vacations, socializing, hobbies, pastimes (and taking a few risks!) are likely these days. Establish or improve relationships with children, strengthen rapport with a romantic partner, and expand social contacts. Remember to curb that extravagance, or overindulgence in your pursuit of pleasure. Imagination and artistic urges are stimulated and can make it a period of successful creative endeavour, either on your own, or with a partner. Mars enters Leo at the same time, bringing in your personal possessions, home or domestic arrangements, family relationships, family-owned property or business, and real-estate transactions in general. Doing things as a group may encourage an increase in family activities and you can make a new beginning. Move plans forward for a new business venture or achieving some physical goal. Make sure your household insurance is in effect, check your home for possible fire hazards. Watch your step to prevent falls, cuts, and others mishaps around the house, and go out of your way to avoid angry domestic scenes.

Lord of Karma

Saturn, Lord of Karma, enters Gemini on August 11th, restimulating the Grand Cross aspect of the August 99 solar eclipse. This influence has as much to do with the past as it does with the present. It will force you to throw out what is wasteful and to abandon unsuccessful situations, replacing them with something more solid and useful. There is no doubt but that you will begin to question your values. You will have to deal with what you want in life, versus what you do not want.

Additional responsibilities demand more expenses at this time, but for the most part, this influence does not necessarily imply the gain or loss of monetary assets, since that is not the real issue. Confronting the consequences of how you handle income and assets is the key to this influence. Using money as the means to escape other responsibilities will confront you. If you have neglected relationships, or anything else you value, you may be threatened with their loss. If your income increases during this period, it is because you earned it. You can emerge as a more successful individual who is better prepared to handle finances, if you pay attention to the situation. Even more importantly, you'll have clearly established priorities and unassailable values.

Fabulous Potential!  

With Venus in her day sign Libra in early September, in good aspect to Saturn and Jupiter, this is a splendid time for long term success! It's time to put harmony into your working environment. It is a good idea to promote cordial relationships with colleagues or employees. An office romance, or social event connected with co-workers may be on your agenda. Beautifying the work place is high on the list: anything from major renovation and redecoration projects to just putting fresh paint on the walls, installing background music and adding plants or art work to brighten the surroundings. A new diet and physical fitness program, or other personal physical enhancements such as beauty treatments, a new hair style, dental work, and cosmetic surgery are favoured.

Establish solid, long-lasting relationships in the first week or two of the month, especially around the 8th and 9th of September. Mark these days! There's no telling what good thing can happen under this fortunate influence. Try your luck at the races and other sporting events, or with lottery tickets. You could be the winner in a beauty or photography contest, or emerge the favourite in an audition. Artistic and musical ventures are successful. The recognition you deserve for your efforts in writing, publishing, advertising, higher education, politics, religion, direct-mail promotions, long distance travel, dealing with those of another race or culture and foreign languages is likely this month. You are favoured in court decisions and other judgments. Of course, when there is too much of a good thing, overindulgence, wastefulness, exaggeration or physical laziness can prevent you from gaining the true benefits of this fortunate aspect.

Saturn Retrograde  

Saturn, however, is at his station all month in conjunction with Alcyone and the Pleiades. He turns retro in your third house on the 12th. Beware of injuries, especially to the eyes, through accidents while travelling, or violence and trouble with the opposite sex. Jupiter is in conjunction with Aldebaran, a royal star which brings ego-based conflicts, especially with siblings, neighbours and people in your environment. Jupiter too turns retro in opposition to Pluto (at the end of the month). Retrograde planets tend to generate the events that seem more fated, less under our own control than they do when direct. So the world seems to have a mind of its own.

You may witness struggles in which neither side emerges victorious. Authority challenges power, the past opposes the present and future. You'll be feeling as though something is just not quite right, especially with regard to inheritances, estates or shared financial issues and taxation. Though not the major player, you are indirectly involved, because your own control in some smaller sphere of influence may be threatened as part of the fall out of the struggle between the larger forces. Despite whatever else may be humming smoothly along, remember that it is an unfavorable time to attempt to manipulate circumstances to your personal advantage, collect debts, exact satisfaction or revenge, and directly challenge the position of tradition or authority.

Mars enters Virgo on the 18th, bringing a sharper focus onto the pleasures of life. Creative juices flow during this time, but there is no telling exactly how or where you will direct them. Romantic notions, inspiration and imagination spark artistic endeavors. Activities related to children claim your time and attention. Physical aggression, especially in the pursuit of romantic goals must be contained. Be conscious of the consequences of overindulgence and risk-taking adventures. Take no foolhardy risks, despite the temptataion!

Venus enters Scorpio on September 25th, bringing a marked increase in your sexual magnetism. The emphasis shifts away from you to other people in your life. Partnerships are heavily emphasized again. New partnerships and joint ventures are favoured. This is a time to resolve disagreements, especially in legal matters, contract negotiations of one kind or another, public relations, the income of a relative, and various situations needing cooperation.

Intense Pleasures  

Mercury in Scorpio turns retrograde in the middle of October, just as Venus moves into Sagittarius and Saturn retrogresses once more into Taurus. Partnership and contractual matters, or anything to do with legality and conflict should be scrutinised very carefully now, for your heart is likely to be elsewhere. Joint income and social status, acquired either through marriage or business partnership, are two issues likely to surface this month. Common goals and values play no small part in circumstances that occur. You feel more intense with regard to social contacts as well as romance or sexual encounters, especially from the standpoint of the psychological motivations and behaviour patterns involved. This can be a productive period to participate in group therapy. Pleasures are bound to be more deeply felt, although a certain lightheartedness may be missing. If there are no obvious impediments to prevent you from doing so, this is a good time to ask for loans or favours, as well as to collect those you are owed.

As the Sun prepares to dive into Scorpio on the 23rd, Saturn causes the strange feeling that something is out of joint, leading at the end of the month to a fortunate trine between Mars and Saturn. Time seems to expand to suit your needs. The maturity and experience behind your actions is the key to their successful outcome. Should you fail to apply such wisdom, you may still benefit from the actions of those who do. This is a most favourable influence -- not just for the potential success of your efforts, but because they are likely to produce meaningful, long-lasting accomplishments. It is an auspicious time to initiate projects geared toward bringing benefits at a later time in your life.

Focus That Energy

As Mars enters your sixth house in the first week of November, there will be plenty of things for you to do in the way of physical exercise and work-- on the job as well as around the house. Circumstances may put you in a position to hire others. More aggressive or competitive concerning work, co-workers, or employees, you strike out with a powerful and surprising energy. Do not give in to angry outbursts or rash actions. Health and/or physical fitness will need your attention. You may be required to get a medical and dental check up if you have not recently had one. There is potential to experience headache, fever, inflammation, or flare up of chronic illness. Why not begin a program of supervised physical fitness, perhaps including colleagues and employees at work. Be sure to consult a physician and other health experts before you start. If your body is not used to exercise, be careful not to overexert yourself.

Potential for Conflict  

As the year draws to a close, Mars storms the ramparts of your seventh house of enemies and partners. Others stimulate you to taking physical action. Getting things done will be more difficult to accomplish by yourself than it might be with a partner or partners. In any case, people tend to intrude. Under this influence, other people make the first move, leaving you to react. More than one open confrontation may be expected.

Relationships: the Journey to the Heart  

The stars show this is the year of unpredictable situations, especially in the romantic arena. Partnerships will be stressed and there is potential for scandal. Rivals will be troublesome, especially if you are interested in public office or climbing the social ladder. You tend to work to some degree against your own best interests. Venus and Mars engage in a dance of deliciously sexy, risque proportions, as friendships turn to liasons and liasons become partnerships. This is a year of big changes in your relationships with partners, joint venturers, fiancial situations and sexual liaisons, as Chiron and Pluto meet for the first time in sixty years. New Year's Eve, with the Moon in sultry Scorpio and the Sun in horny Capricorn, should be wild! With Mars bubbling in your eleventh house, from Jan. 5 to Feb. 12, the energizing effects can make you more aggressive toward others and lose patience when things become too hectic or don't proceed as planned. You may also be concerned with just what is (or is not) making you happy. You are stimulated to go after what you want, or get rid of what you don't want.

Venus dives into Pisces from Mar. 14 to April 7, so you are likely to be more concerned with personal aspirations and happiness, especially the satisfaction you derive (or do not derive, as the case may be) from the role you play as spouse, child, parent, friend, lover, or associate. Coordinate activities, promote harmony, and encourage co-operation. The social aspects of romance may also be on your agenda these days. Joining organizations and participation in group activities can be very rewarding.

The beginning of April sees the Taurus New Moon, which brings a fabulous new flavour of success into your life, while April, May and June are times of extraordinary activity, as the Grand Mutation in your sign brings a difficult period for marriage, partnership, female relationships and joint ventures. Your health may be threatened by stress and relationships with women will present dificulties.

Jupiter moves on into Gemini (your solar second house) at the beginning of July, This can be tricky, even ruinous, because the liberal splashing of money around becomes the main source of pleasure. This is fine if you can afford to spend it. Avoid the temptation to exaggerate your wealth or status to impress others and hang back from loading yourself down with status symbols.

Mars in your fifth house from the middle of September with Venus in your seventh means you need little urging to put a lot of effort and physical enthusiasm into speculative ventures, social events and activities related to entertainment or a vacation. Partnership issues are more readily resolved and relations with your spouse should improve nicely. Creative juices flow during this time and romantic notions are apt to be physically carried out. Artistic endeavors are inspired and imaginative, but children's interests and activities claim your time and attention. Physical aggression should be avoided, bearing in mind unpleasant, even dangerous, consequences of overindulgence and risk-taking adventures.

Mercury retro in Scorpio foreshadows problems in communication with partners and difficulties in other forms of public debate, or confrontation. Venus moves from Scorpio into Sagittarius in mid-October, so joint income and social status, acquired either through marriage or business partnership, are two issues likely to surface this month. Common goals and values play no small part in circumstances that occur. You feel more intense with regard to social contacts as well as romance or sexual encounters, especially from the standpoint of the psychological motivations and behaviour patterns involved. This can be a productive period to participate in group therapy. Pleasures are bound to be more deeply felt, although a certain lightheartedness may be missing. If there are no obvious impediments to prevent you from doing so, this is a good time to ask for loans or favours, as well as to collect those you are owed..

With the Sun in your seventh house from October 23, the influence you exercise over other people and your ability to elicit their cooperation occupies your mind. Do others see you as strong, independent and forceful? Should you be married or living with someone, you will most likely assess your role in the union from a rather ego-centric viewpoint. Do you dominate your partner, or is it the other way round? Does the partnership help, or impede your personal growth? Has your monetary potential or social status been improved by the relationship? These concerns apply equally to your business alliances. Ego seems to be a bigger factor in interactions and you become more assertive in legal matters, contracts and negotiations. There does seem to be more than your fair share of open conflicts and opposition these days. Expressing undue stubbornness or antagonism, however, makes it particularly difficult to resolve conflicts, or reach compromises.

Career and Finances: Stake Your Claim  

Expect a big career move this year. Your mother's influence may be valuable and unexpected upheavals could lead to preferment. Be very cautious with joint ventures and investments. Financial priorities will be high and some powerful forces are acting on your income and long-term plans. However, prospects are good for changing direction, especially now that Jupiter has turned direct, though some some revealed secrets may be problematic. Partnership issues should be more easily resolved after Jan. 12, when Saturn too turns direct and you'll be climbing the corporate ladder again. It is your own hard work and the way you deal with responsibilities which will create your rewards.

Mid-February will bring subdued energy and a more inward-looking focus, as Mars investigates your twelfth house of secrets for over a month. Past actions, good or bad, may catch up to you. During this period you may prefer that others do not observe your activities, either because these efforts actually concern secret matters or merely because you may accomplish more by working alone. You can explore and develop inner strengths, and gain a deeper understanding of your childhood conditioning, subconscious mind, fears, and dreams. Increased involvement with the activities of charitable organizations, hospitals, prisons, and institutions concerned with minorities and the underprivileged may be on your agenda.

The Taurus New Moon in early April is auspicious, but heralds an emotional withdrawal as Venus joins Mars in your twelfth. All types of excuses, legitimate or otherwise, can be found to pass up invitations to go out-- you're too ill, you're too overweight to fit into the clothes you wanted to wear, you have too much work to do, and any number of other reasons. Romance may have to be secretive or relegated to the world of fantasy and dreams. You may be more susceptible to false flattery or unworthy attentions. Love relationships from the past, especially those in which you suffered a loss, can intrude on the present in some way. The tendency to engage in self-pity is apt to be enhanced, though you can choose to ignore it by turning your attention to helping others less fortunate than yourself. Just don't overdo it, because you'll need all your strength as the Grand Mutation in May approaches. May will bring matters to a head regarding partnership, career and domestic issues. Avoid confrontations and legal battles at this time if you can.

Things may become frustrating during this period, especially when dealing with older people. You'll be in trouble if you are too liberal, and yet stymied by taking a too conservative approach. Too much emphasis on the future, with no consideration for tradition and past experience will be as problematic as being stuck in the past and unable to consider the future. Stand back and let things settle of their own accord to a level that seems comfortable for everyone, especially in matters to do with your career, parents and authority figures.

Speculative efforts in August may develop into workable solutions as Venus moves into Libra at the beginning of September. October finds a certain amount of restlessness and lack of attention to detail in your actions as the consequence of responding too much to "the big picture". The powerful T-square aspect between Mars, Jupiter and Pluto strikes a harsh balance between power and control. Overreaching may see you having to pay the consequences of exaggeration and extravagant gestures. Do not be tempted to accept more work than you are physically capable of handling, nor assignments for which you lack proper skills or experience. Do not take risks if you cannot afford the consequences. Expansive gestures will be thrown up in the pursuit of control, but really, prudence will overcome physical obstacles blocking your path and you should not walk away empty handed. October's Scorpio new Moon conflicts with Uranus, presenting you with some sudden and probably unwelcome choices. However you can be inspired to make some wonderful changes, especially in your career arrangements as well as your home life and partnership activities now.

For the remainder of the year, you can expect various ups and downs until Christmas when Mars surges into Scorpio, bringing energy to partnership matters and helping drive the agenda with regard to any co-operative situations.

Health: Balancing Your Energies  

Expect some troubles with your health, which doctors may not adequately be able to deal with to your satisfaction. Emotional problems will arise, especially through troubles relations with women. Law cases or other public disputes bring the potential for stress-related disorders. Problems could also arise in connection with large institutions, government and authority figures. Fear and anxiety can add to your problems. Take a positive attitude and you can expect a better outcome.

Home and Away: Family and Children  

Benefits come through close relatives, short journeys and general creativity. Long journeys and cultural pursuits could also be beneficial, as can the influence of your partner's relatives. The travel bug bites this year, too, particularly long-distance or overseas travel and emigration. Anything of an overseas character and anything connected with your marriage or business partner's relatives also attracts your attention. The trend, of course, relies on the monthly influences. With legal issues, seek a compromise solution rather than taking matters to extremes. Sometimes religious or spiritual issues will be thrown into prominence, bringing increased personal interest and progressive changes in these areas.

Juna and July see quite a lot of activity in your local neighborhood, as Mars, Venus and Mercury populate your third house. The use of flattery, charm, and a sense of humor on your part can be most persuasive during this period. You'll have pleasant relations with neighbors and people with whom you come in daily contact. If such contacts have been troubled in the past this is a good time to improve them. Contacts with brothers, sisters, cousins, and in-laws tend to increase. You may visit or contact nieces or nephews away at college, but you'll find that some of your best social opportunities these days are right in your immediate environment.

Children's interests will be very prominent during August and the first two weeks of September. Family and domestic issues will generate a lot of stress, especially in May, when Uranus, Saturn and Jupiter exchange thunderbolts! August will also bring a lot of attention to domestic matters, and family relationships should prosper, especially through the influence of the older members of the group.

Mercury Retrograde  

Mercury retrograde gives rise to personal misunderstandings; flawed, disrupted, or delayed communications, negotiations and trade; glitches and breakdowns with phones, computers, cars, buses, and trains. And all of these problems usually arise because some crucial piece of information, or component, has gone astray, or awry.

Periods of confusion affect

friendships, associations and personal desires Feb/Mar

local and neighborhood issues, travel, education, close relatives Jun/Jul

partnership matters, confrontations, legal issues Oct/Nov.

Read more on retrograde Mercury.