Annual Horoscope, Part II 

Aries: Your ruling planet is Mars, the planet of war. It is retrograding through July 13. During this period, it may feel as though you are moving two steps forward and three steps back. Lots of attention is needed in the arenas of partnership(s) and clientele. This is important in January and March, when challenges become apparent. In May, compromise and cooperation is mandated, lest you and another separate. Life is smoother from July through late August. September brings a welcoming change of pace. In November you are likely to set a new career goal and run with it.

Taurus: As we enter 2014, your ruling planet, Venus, is retrograding in the house that is associated with children, love and creative work. You are going back over old ground in any one of these areas and forward motion will be a challenge. Perhaps you need to make corrections or take a break while internal quarrels work themselves out. Anything that is not in order will wave red flags to others. Saturn has been in your seventh house of relationship(s) for 1.5 years and will continue through 2014. It is requiring you to have a sense of purpose and direction. Frivolous relationships will not work for you now. Critical times of correction occur in January and May. You will have to negotiate and cooperate, or separate, if necessary. You may be called back into a former relationship this year.

Gemini: Given Mercury as your ruling planet, you have three times every year in which you back up and make improvements. Activities begun after January 24 may require much of February to complete. This time, you will be working on things legal or scholastic. The next retrograde begins on May 18 and concludes on July 22. You will probably back out of previously made decisions here. The third retrograde of the year begins September 6 and will be completed in early November. Your backtracking will emphasize creative work and perhaps your love life. Watch your temper during April, July and September. Keep up with exercise and diet. You are not in your brightest moments of career, but this will change in 2015.

Cancer: January, February and March are months in which your primary focus is on children, creativity and romantic encounters. This is the same as it has been for the past year. There may be a startling event near the eclipse of April 15th that causes your attention to shift. From this point forward in 2014, matters of career or life direction take a back seat while you deal with your inner world and family. The second eclipse occurs in October and may be unsettling for you. Through September and October, Mercury will be retrograding in the same territory, causing you to deal with home repairs and fixing broken relationships. Give attention to advice that comes in October. If you look at the big picture, this information could help you transform a challenge into an opportunity.

Leo: January 1 bursts forth with a powerful new moon in your sixth house of work and health. Something will be rearranged in these areas. Much of the year calls for you to correct imbalances. Travel, communication and education are emphasized, particularly near early April, early July and early October. If your vehicle is an older model, you may be doing multiple repairs. Avoid buying a new one until mid-July. Saturn remains in your fourth house of home and family. Elderly people are in need of care and attention. Jupiter, the planet of expansion and hope, moves into your sign for a full year on July 16. This will give you room to breathe. Jupiter in your sign is good for your health, although it can bring excess. Watch your weight.

Virgo: Your planetary ruler is Mercury, and thus there will be three times during the year in which you will need to stop and review. It is best not to make big decisions during these periods, but rather to research the subject at hand. The first begins on January 25 and continues through March 16. It's important to reorganize the details of your life. Reorganizing is a way to clear your mind for upcoming projects. The middle retrograde, from late May until mid-July, involves rethinking your career or life direction. The third retrograde begins in mid-September and requires you to evaluate finances. During the first half of the year, you will be active with friends and community responsibilities. A shift occurs in July and you will be more introverted. A focus on communications or education has one more year and then you will move on.

Libra: Your primary ruling planet is Venus and during the first half of the year your co-ruling planet is Mars. As we enter 2014, Venus will already be in retrograde and Mars is in the shadow of its upcoming retrograde period. The first half of 2014 is a time to take good care of yourself and your personal boundaries. Others may be attempting to influence you in ways that are off-center from your intended direction. You may be required to tell others to back off in January, March and especially, in May. The retrograde planets in your sign suggest going back to the past. This could involve family matters and uncovering secrets. In September and October, Mercury is retrograde in your sign, further emphasizing the need to take care of yourself. Preserve income for the future. Scarcity will continue one more year.

Scorpio: Your ruling planets are Mars and Pluto. Your forward motion will be slowed almost to a standstill during the first half of the year while Mars is retrograde. Respond to what comes to you, but do not go into attack mode. Aggression is harmful to your best interests. Take really good care of your physical self. January and March bring challenges in relationship(s). In May you could feel the need to separate from someone or from a situation in your life. Mid-July will bring a turning point. You are going through a long-term period of developing a new identity. You may feel directionless, but your present condition will change in 2015 and life will look much different to you.

Sagittarius: Your planetary ruler, Jupiter, changed signs in June to Cancer. This is a location that represents happiness. It brings improvements related to loans, alimony, inheritance and investments. On July 16, Jupiter will transition into Leo and so will the emphasis in your life. Travel, philosophy and education become the focus of your attention. The Mars retrograde occurs in your 11th house of community, organizations and friendships. Some of these may fall away during the first half of the year. In late September through early October, a favorable opportunity comes in the form of a new lover or a creative idea. You have enjoyed a position in your career or life direction for 1.5 years. This will continue for one more year. In 2015 you may become bored and ready for a change.

Capricorn: On January 1 there is a powerful new moon in your sign, right alongside Pluto, which has been slowly moving across your sign since 2008. Clearly something new is on the horizon. Let yourself be creative. Pluto will accept nothing less than the truth from you and it demands that you share what you have with others. Change is inevitable, so don't resist it. Pluto continues to do the dance with Uranus on its right-hand square, as it has since 2010. This year is another one of dramatic changes in your life, which began in 2008. Multiple areas are involved and there may be conflict all around you. Specifically, the challenges point in the directions of career, home, family, partners, property and health. Fortunately, your friends and the community at large are willing to help.

Aquarius: Everyone will be challenged this year by the numerous retrograding planets, which represent a decrease in forward motion for at least the first half of the year. One of the things you want to finish, but can't seem to complete, is a legal issue that cannot be settled until the second half of the year. Mercury will be retrograding in your sign between January 24 through March 22. During this period, it is wisest not to make big decisions. This year you are preparing to make a transition toward a new direction that begins in 2015. At the end of August, it will be time to complete projects and let go. Use caution with your resources and save what you can. Late November and early December may cost you. That is when you will need to spend money on the upcoming transition.

Pisces: Neptune is bringing health problems to light. You may have increasing physical problems due to environmental pollutants. It is possible you have lost your internal sense of direction. Pay attention to what people are telling you. They will give suggestions because your talents are so visible. Don't buck the system near January 31 and April 20. Those in control are stronger than you are. Health issues improve in the second half of the year. The sun will shine brightly on your job situation beginning in July.

Are you interested in a personal horoscope? Vivian Carol may be reached at 704-366-3777 for private psychotherapy or astrology appointments. (There is a fee for services.) www.horoscopesbyvivian.com.