Thank you to all those people who've been in touch to see what happened with last month updates. I have really appreciated your concern.

It would be fair to say that the last four weeks have been particularly difficult and frustrating for me. It also goes to show that at times the universe dishes up events that we have no control over. So here's the thing...a story of Mars, running amok!

Four weeks ago while travelling home a driver, in a 4 wheel drive, who was not concentrating and moving much faster than she should have been, slammed into the back of my stationary car, pushed me into the vehicle in front and wrote my car off. The car was hit so hard that the imprint of the number plate and bull bar were left in the back of my vehicle and apparently the car finished up about 10-12cm shorter in some places that it was meant to be!

Fortunately, I had purchased the car on the basis of the safety features it had and all of these kicked in exactly when they should have. I am told that if I was in another type of vehicle I would not have been so lucky. It is interesting that the accident has triggered a series of problems that I have had to work through. I'll not bore you with the details because compared to some people my stuff is hopefully, short term and insignificant. But it has put me out of action temporarily and I am still having some physio...

There's potentially the whole philosophical/spritual dimension to this earthly event, something about slowing down, but they of course red wine converations:)!

Mars energy, when combined with certain other things can produce accidents. It is interesting that when I started thinking the whole situation through I remembered I was hit by a car in Sydney in 2000, about the same time. I did some astrological super sleuthing, and discovered that Mars was in exactly the same degree of mutable's ( Gemini, Sagittarius, Virgo, Pisces) on both occasions. So guess who's going to pay particular attention as Mars passes through these points in future? What is really interesting about both situations is that remember being in a particularly happy mood. So next time Mars approaches these points, I think I will get heavily into physical exercise to dissipate the energy!

I do hope all of our Leo's had great birthday and our Virgos have a great birthday!

much love ,

Helen H.

Mercury Retrograde Periods for 2008. January 28 - February 19, May 26 - June 19, September 24 - 15 October.

Mercury rules communications which typically goes haywire during these periods. In particular the Sun Signs of Gemini and Virgo are vulnerable to miscommunications and misunderstandings. For all of us,however, it's never a good time to sign contracts, make significant life changes, large purchases or launch new projects or businesses. Use this time to consider your options, check out the fine print, negotiate thoroughly and effectively, tweak plans and take time to reflect.

In business, be mindful that there may be lots to no activity during these periods: it seems to operate in the extremes. Usually activity does not result in productivity and you can feel as if you are going around in circles! Promises made to you during this time are likely to be fraught with disappointment or fall through. So, if you are offered any opportunity I suggest the strategy would be to stay in discussion mode and not make any commitment until the end of the retrograde period. By all means be enthusiastic, call for additional information to develop a clearer picture and deeper understanding of what is on offer along with its current and future implications.

Navigating through this time constructively is the key, stay in touch with clients and don’t try to close sales. If you lose the sale, don’t worry it will have been a problem (right: I can hear you say, 'is she nuts'!). If you do need to act, check the fine print, read and re read any documents as there will be mistakes and misunderstandings. Anticipate problems and determine, in advance, how you might handle a crisis: even if you think you have covered all the bases. I usually recommend that you shorten deadlines to allow for delays. Do not make major business decisions during these periods.

Back up your computers before Mercury goes retrograde. Too many systems topple over during Mercury retrograde periods.

If you're in the job market and you are looking at a role during the Mercury retrograde period, be rest assured it will not be what youexpect. Your expectations and the prospective employers expectations will, generally, not be in synch. If you think you have explored all the expectations of the role and really want it...see if you can avoid signing the employment contract and commencing work during the retrograde period. Research suggests (Zimmel 2001) that candidates who accept roles under these circumstances usually don't stay with the employer very long .

Reference: Manfred Zimmel: Doctoral Thesis: Astrology and Recruiting 2001.

Famous and Infamous Australian Virgo's:

Wolfgang Blass (Winemaker of Wolf Blass Wines), Don Hopgood (Politician), David Parkin (Player and Coach in Aussie Rules Football and more recently motivator and author), Kerri Anne Kennerly (TV Hostess), Natasha Stott Depojia (Politician). Alexander Downer (Former Australian Foreign Minister)

Famous and Infamous Virgo ’s

Sean Connery (Actor), Barry Gibb (member of Bee Gees), Stephen King (Horror Author), David Copperfield (Magician), Claudia Schiffer (Super Model), Jason Priestly (Actor), Richard Gere (Actor) James Coburn (Actor), Cameron Diaz (Actor), k’d’Lang (singer/song writer), Charlie Sheen (Actor), Hugh Grant (Actor), Prince Harry (2nd in line to the English Throne), Macaulay Culkin (Actor), Michael Jackson (Singer/Songwriter), Cameron Diaz(Actor), Van Morison (Singer), Keanu Reeves (Actor)

They may be gone but the ‘stars’ still shining brightly!

Agatha Christie (Murder Mystery Writer), Greta Garbo (Actor then recluse, mystery woman), Peter Sellers (Comedian well known for his role in the Goons) Buddy Holly (Musician), Late Yasir Arafat (Libyan President), Mother Teresa (Nun for the Poor in India), Van Morrison (Singer/song writer), Late Freddy Mercury (Lead singer: Queen), Mary Shelly (Author of Frankenstein), Leo Tolstoy (Russian Novelist: War & Peace)