I thought it might be fun to apply the slooooow principles of "pleasure before profit, human beings before head office, slowness before speed" to the signs of the zodiac.  Keep in mind that your birth chart may have two or more planets in two or more signs besides your Sun sign so, if you know what these signs are, read what I have to say about them as well as your Sun sign.  For example, a good friend of mine is a Scorpio Sun/Ascendant but his chart also has four planets in Libra and two in Gemini so he would want to read about these three signs.  Also, read about the sign on the Ascendant of your chart.  In this article, I have included only those signs in the Sun's zodiacal semi-arc, from Leo through Capricorn.  Medieval and Renaissance astrologers considered these signs to be the "terms" of the Sun - signs where he had some standing (strength).

I also want to mention the Jupiter-Saturn square, which is in effect from mid-January through most of March (then it returns in November and December 2005).  Jupiter represents warmth, wit, sociability, merriment, joy, impetuousness, charm, and fun.  These qualities are in conflict (the square) with the nature of Saturn:  serious, hardworking, reserved, unsocial, solitary, cautious, and dealing with necessities.  If we persevere, we could make great strides but we may not have much fun doing it.  The Jupiter-Saturn square is presently in Libra-Cancer, which puts stress on relationships and especially when there is conflict in the family.  Don't leave a good relationship because of temporary strife.  In the fall of this year, this square will shift to the signs of Leo and Scorpio so we are in for even more fun then.  Also worthy of note is the next Mercury retrograde period from about March 9 - May 6.  This stretch of time includes the slowing down phase before it retrogrades and the sluggish phase afterwards, before it picks up apparent speed.

Slow Leo is a sight to behold - beaming, regal, the pride of the litter.  They have no problem taking the time to savor your praise of them or their own acumen.  Leos are just big kids and kids can easily loose track of time because they are having such fun playing.  They often take the time to be dramatic and to savor the effect.  One slow principle Leos need to learn is to be beneficent, humanitarian executives.

Slow Virgo, especially when you are making your list!  If you can get a Virgo to slow down enough to sit and talk to you, it will be worth the effort.  This is one sign that needs to take time, of which they say they never have enough, to chill out and do nothing once in a while.  Become immobile; clear your over-active mind.  Put it on your list, Virgo!  One slow attribute of Virgos is their desire to enhance the quality of life on this planet.

Slow Libra means taking the time to really listen, to linger in conversation, to solve a problem, or to make a special gift for someone special.  Libra knows when they find something or someone worth taking their time to fully enjoy and appreciate.  Between relationships they tend to be in a hurry to find a new partner.  Librans are tolerant and patient with others, though usually not with themselves.  They exemplify the slow principle of fairness.

Slow Scorpio embraces the joy of taking hours (or all day) to make love, immersing in some labor of love, or wringing every drop of emotion out of an intense experience.  This sign can do slow, especially if it makes the experience more tantalizing, suspenseful, or erotic.  They know that slow can be seductive and enticing - it can be a great game to them.  The partner of the enigmatic Scorpio must practice the slow approach to get to know them.

Slow Sagittarius - where?  This sign tends to be in a rush to get to their next big adventure.  However, they seem to have plenty of time for philosophical discussions, teaching, experiencing the outdoors, storytelling, or being a comic.  This sign lives by the slow principles of putting the enjoyment, communion with and protection of the natural world above profit and selfish greed (unless they are purely hedonistic).

Slow Capricorn is not a problem, unless they are in a hurry to get to the top.  It is antithetical to their nature to hurry because Saturn, ruler of this sign, is the archetype of slow.  Take your time and do it right the first time is their motto.  This sign needs to make the time to relax and empty their head of plans, schemes and ambitions and, above all, to enjoy their vacations and retirement!  The challenge for Capricorn is to remember that the planet and people are more important than profit and power.

Since I have run out of my word allotment for this article, the rest of you signs will have to slow down and wait until the next issue of Echo when I will start with Cancer (the Moon's sign) and go backward through the signs of the Moon's zodiacal semi-arc.