Today Mars the red planet, stations direct after three months of retrogradation in Aries the sign it rules, and this is great news!
Mars, retrogrades every two years and it’s a planet that isn’t particularly fond of doing so either. Retrogrades slow down and imbed Mars, a planet whose primary significations are about motion, fast pace and action. When retrograde this pace and action slows down, it causes frustration and friction due to the lack of momentum. Such frustrations can turn inward as the environment around you slows down. Mars is powerful in Aries, due to its rulership; this coupled with the fact that mars also retrogrades least in Aries out of all of the zodiacal signs, had made the last three months particularly stressful.
Mars turned retrograde September 10thand it’s at this time reflections or struggles became more apparent or deepened. Perhaps there were other things agitating situations that you weren’t previously aware of.
Re looking at your personal power, strength or what rouses anger could have been areas for redress. Depending on where this is occurring in your personal chart. Anyone with personal planets in Aries, Libra, Cancer and Capricorn, would have been more heavily impacted by this Mars Retrograde. Collectively Mars putting strain on Saturn, Jupiter and Pluto in late Capricorn has definitely created an element of tension, that has continued to simmer over the second half of 2020. Things have been on the verge and felt like they were going to get lit and exploding at any moment. Keeping a coolness around all the heat anger around us, has definitely been a way of life and a state of being, since Mars entered Aries on June 29th.
Mars turning direct today, does make things more erratic than usual, but the good news is, we are moving to a place where we can finally gain some traction and get things moving again with a more assured sense of what direction we wish to direct our energy. The other benefit of this movement forwards of Mars, is being able to mould our tools in a sharper and more effective fashion. Mars finally leaves Aries after 6 months (instead of the usual two months) in early January, and it is at that time, we will feel the heat turned down just a little, as we move away from the tectonic shifts of 2020’s astrology, with more tools and aids at our disposal.
Scorpio season is once again upon us and we see ourselves shifting from the cardinal air of Libra into the deep crevice’s of the fixed water of Scorpio.
Scorpio energy is both intuitive and fixating, with a strong ability to connect and tap into the deeper messages of their situation and environments. Scorpio energy is never far from the Zeitgeist.
Scorpio season has some strong planetary shifts for 2020, which will be described more with the November monthly horoscopes, highlights of the month include …
💥 Mars, the ruler of Scorpio turning direct mid-month after a volatile 3 month retrograde of Aries …
📝 Mercury, will complete it retrograde cycle in Scorpio and integrating insights from its time in Scorpio. This retrograde focused on the I decan of Scorpio and III decan of Libra, November sees these insights seeded or harvested.
🌝 A striking Full Moon exactly conjunct Uranus …
🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓🌔The intro of Eclipse season …
💫Scorpio season, never far from connecting to spirit or spirits of the age … more in the monthly horoscopes, with a sign by sign breakdown.
Image : Elena Ferrante by Elizaveta Porodina for Time Magazine
MERCURY’S RETROGRADE of SCORPIO 2020
(14 OCTOBER – 4 NOVEMBER)
Today Mercury begins its retrograde phase at 11 ° Scorpio. In 2020 Mercury has been making its stirrings and re-messaging services available in the zodiac’s water signs (Cancer, Scorpio & Pisces) offering reflection and upgrades of your connection to these portals of your chart.
Today’s Mercury retrograde occurs just 2 hours after its ruler Mars hits its exact midpoint of its own retrograde cycle with its opposition to the Sun. Mercury starting its own retrograde motion just after this mid-point of the Mars retrograde is interesting timing, creating an interconnection and opportunity of exchange, helping to evolve the Aries and Scorpio areas of your chart.
Quietening down, reflecting and reviewing personal connection to and themes of power, assertion, energy and dominance especially in the emotional context is something that will up for re-negotiation and difficult to avoid. How you can evolve and develop this relationship between anger, emotion, power and feelings will be easier to access, but not necessarily pleasant. Regardless, it will be on the agenda for the next 3 weeks.
In addition, the retrograde begins directly opposite Uranus, which gives this time an unpredictable and innovate flavour. Uranus likes to surprise and will be adding an element of unpredictability to this particular Mercury transit. It’s possible feelings may rise out of ‘nowhere’.
All the above is active and alive until Mercury moves direct on 4th November at 25 ° Libra. Mercury when it does move direct will be in aspect to Saturn. Saturn the stern elder energy of the zodiac will be looking to put his stamp of approval, or seal for long lasting change. Meaning, this potentially confronting or honest phase of re negotiating our power, has an enduring quality.
How we engage and communicate with power and assertiveness and its emotional impact on ourselves and others has the potential to live well beyond this three week time period. Be ready for an interesting three weeks. 2020’s astrology, when it colludes, it isn’t doing things by halves.
The Astrological weather for October is choppy to say the least, with the upcoming Mercury retrograde in Scorpio, coinciding with its ruler, Mars also being retrograde in Aries. These retrogrades are along side some rather challenging lunation’s this month, so strong precaution is advised; for both how you use this energy and what battles you decide to take on. October is a month where caution and self care will stand in good stead. Pushing forwards with activities and intentions that feel like they are an uphill battle, or a struggling to get up and running, most likely need more time to develop and nurture.
The Month opens on October 1st/2nd, with a full moon in Aries making it a potentially hostile lunation due to its increasing proximity to Mars. The following day (October 2nd/3rd) may present some hostility or aggression being exhibited, as emotions (the Moon) may spill over or become abrasive and hostile (Mars) as the two finally conjoin.
The New Moon in Libra on October 16th also finds itself in a rather difficult situation, as it is opposed by Mars and squared by both Saturn and Pluto. Following the familiar terrain of other plants who have run the gauntlet through the late cardinal degrees in recent months. Having the luminaries (The Sun and Moon) as the meat or protein in a Malefic sandwich, we have all established is no fun, and definitely NOT the kind of energy you want to be manifesting or drawing down your life long dreams from.
Overall, its a month to sit tight in and navigate the choppy weather through awareness and self care. October is one of the more trickier months in 2020, so proceed with care and know once we have moved past October, we will be beginning to near the end of the Cardinal Crush. Meaning, the planetary energies will begin to separate slight and not challenge each other so much. If you have any major planets (Sun, Moon, Ascendant especially) in Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn, know that we are almost at the end of some once in a life time astrology. You have got this !
ARIES / ARIES RISING
Venus makes her way through your health and wellbeing sector delivering grace and joy to all matters pertaining to this area. While Venus is in Virgo you can enjoy an eye for details and an atmosphere of cohesion. However, Venus can be overly nit-picky here so remember to monitor the levels of critique, so you don’t overdo it. The Sun in balancing Libra offers stability by collaborating with others.
TAURUS / TAURUS RISING
The Sun’s yearly passage through Libra energizes your health and wellbeing sector. Radiating and energizing it helps centre goals around these topics, making them more of a priority. Consistency with your routines allows you to maintain vitality, in-turn minimising problems. Venus in her house joy and in Libra stimulates strong reconnection to your favourite activities or allows more harmonious connection with children.
GEMINI / GEMINI RISING
Mercury retrogrades in your health and wellbeing sector encouraging you to dig deeper and re-evaluate influences or distractions within your areas of self-care and health. Picking apart, fine-tuning or reworking your routines is supported by this retrograde. Rewards, however, will be seen elsewhere as the Sun in Libra shows you where newfound and re-energized time can be used by shinning a light on things you love that may have fallen to the wayside.
CANCER / CANCER RISING
The Sun brings radiance in the home and family realms. Time spent around the home or with family is the perfect way to rest and recharge and bring about more balance with wellness. Venus makes herself busy, happily overhauling your scheduling and communication sectors, which allows for greater freedom of time for Spring and Summer.
LEO / LEO RISING
This Month, Mercury will be in Scorpio and retrogrades in your home, family and ancestor sector, helping to uncover and reveal constraints from the past to do with family or ancestors. Mercury brings the skeletons out of the closet and assisting in putting them to rest. Wellness and wellbeing comes from bringing to light things that have been hidden; the load is lessened as 2020 continues.
VIRGO / VIRGO RISING
Venus moves through your body and vitality sector creating the perfect opportunity to flex and extend; enjoy the process and the results. Venus is working to bring more fun and freshness, less micromanagement and just letting the magic happen. Seize the opportunity to appreciate your worth or benefit from financial gains as the Sun works its way through your money sector.
LIBRA / LIBRA RISING
The Sun transiting your sign helps revitalise and re-energise from the ground up. Take comfort and find vitality by centring yourself around your natural leadership qualities and affirming your goals. Venus, your ruler, will be working to untie knot or confusing threads in the backdrop of your subconscious sector. Both the Sun and Venus will be working to bring about balance to your inner and outer selves leading to greater wellness.
SCORPIO / SCORPIO RISING
Attempts to assert and communicate might feel like they are being held back with the Mercury Retrograde in your sign from mid-month. Expect frustration at being misinterpreted or misunderstood; it will pass. Both the Sun and Venus shine a light on areas of reworking. The Sun works highlight your subconscious sector, so things can be more clearly seen from that perspective, while Venus by bringing support and fellowship via your friendship and social networks.
SAGITTARIUS / SAGITTARIUS RISING
The Sun highlights areas of support and community contacts, allowing you to see more of how these supports can benefit you. Venus gracing your work and reputation sector helps with being seen and visible in a complimentary light. Mercury turns retrograde in your subconscious sector; dreams may become stronger and more visceral. Messages delivered are worth listening too.
CAPRICORN / CAPRICORN RISING
Mercury in Scorpio retrogrades in your community and networks sector so communications maybe confusing, delayed or unsettling. Your search for clarity is disrupted so monitor and manage accordingly. The Sun highlights career and reputation, the goals around this become clearer and you may be seeking more acknowledgement around such leadership abilities. With the Sun’s clear vision, you might also be seen for it.
AQUARIUS / AQUARIUS RISING
Venus in the ultra-picky sign of Virgo is beneficial for all forms of analysis around shared resources. Loans, Taxes or any form of resource that you use from others is given an increased eye for detail, creating opportunity to benefit and capitalise. Mercury’s retrograde in your Career and Reputation sector makes for some disruption or delays but in the long run is great for realigning your career ambitions.
PISCES / PISCES RISING
Looking to support from friends and partnerships this month helps your wellness and wellbeing. Venus will be working to make these people more noticeable for you, don’t be shy in reaching out as their assistance will likely be on offer. Mercury retrogrades in your belief and philosophy sector. Communications which develop and extend personal beliefs and philosophies assist in making changes to your values and belief systems.
Today Mars stands stationary in the sky, by tomorrow Mars makes his move to retrieve something that can’t be left behind, retrieve something that must be changed, altered or modified through his intense heat and pressure. Something must be re-sculpted and how this looks will be different and personal for each and every-one of us. The Mars retrograde is finally upon us.
Mars will be hitting on the iron metal, stoking the fires, burning hot and bright in ways we aren’t especially used too. Strong desires and urges to completely change or modify things that are seeded in anger, frustration, fury or tiredness become obvious and in dire need of modification. The focus shifts to making constructive uses for our tools and learning how to master the tools we do have with more vigour, will and strength.
Mastery comes from learning from past mistakes and learning how to hold tools that have the potential for danger or harm, whist modifying and sculpting for constructive uses. Looking at what is really causing harm or damage, strongly underlays this Mars retrograde period, allowing you to use your tools more wisely.
Mars will be going back and reclaiming many things on many levels, but in-particular finishing off what was triggered from mid-February – March. Mars will be squaring and making contact with the things he ignited then when he transited Capricorn, a sign he has a firm footing in, thanks to his exaltation in Capricorn.
Mars retrogrades occur every two years and Mars retrograding in his ruling sign of Aries is especially rare. 1988 and 1941 were the last instances this astrological transit occurred in Aries.
The question now is, what is currently being re-sculpted or sharpened through the fire and fumes? What is having the rust removed from and asking for a full refurbishment? Where do hostilities lay? Where does your anger sit? What Weapons have become blunt? What tools are outdated? Where is a lack of energy or vitality sit within you? What is the source of any and all burn out?
Answers to these questions is where the steam of this Mars Retrograde is coming from and we have from now until November to work on our skills as craftspeople to mould and reshape whilst looking at our relationship with Mars, his dynamics and various manifestations.
For a sign by sign breakdown, look to the Marathon of Bravery link below.
28th June 2020, Mars moves into Aries, a sign that it rules; for just over 6 months, rather than the usual 8 weeks. That’s an extra 16 weeks of Mars, an active, hot-headed, volatile, aggressive, and sword welding planet, in a sign that it’s super charged in, fun times.
Mars’ elongated transit of Aries is due to his retrograde in September to November 2020. The Mars Retrograde is the trickiest, out of all the planetary retrograde phases. Retrograde Mars is volatile and unpredictable, more so than any of the other planets. The other planets have a more predictable and regular retrograde cycle, not so in Mars’ case. Mars when Retrograde is notorious for its tendency towards extremes and a willingness to engage in hostilities. In most cases it tends to backfire, due to Mars when retrograde, acting in an extremely erratic nature being unpredictable, mis-directed and mis-guided. Aggressive or hostile acts during this time, generally tend to be the undoing of a person or situation. When active and fast-moving planets, like Mars; are forced to slowdown and move in motions and speeds they don’t like or are not used to, they create problems and manifest in unpredictable or unique ways or manners. Mars Retrograde if worked correctly, can give an opportunity to redefine, the rules of engagement, but to what purpose, is important, and it’s still very risky business, especially since it’s so strong in Aries.
The last time Mars was retrograde in Aries was September to November 1941, which was during WWII. During this 1941 Mars Retrograde Period, the decree that all Jewish people in Germany were to wear the Gold Star of David on their clothing and to not have contact with Non-Jewish People was signed and in-acted. The Polish Concentration camp Majdanek opened. The Siege of Leningrad began, which lasted 900 days, with the aggressor eventually defeated. In India, Mahatma Ghandi, urged his followers to begin a passive resistance against British rule in India. (a new technique of resistance, from a person who themselves, had an exceptionally strong Mars). 1941 saw no shortage of very key events, in human history occurring during this Aries retrograde. Addressing or creating extreme violence, repression and hostility, towards innocent and persecuted people, was a strong theme. As intense as these examples are, this was the last historical recording of such a retrograde in Aries. Mars also went partially Retrograde in Aries in 1988, it was slightly tempered with its retrograde back into Pisces. 2020 is the first time we have had a full Mars Retrograde in Aries since 1941.
What makes the 2020 transit of Mars in Aries, especially volatile and hostile, is the continuous aspects, that Mars will make to Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn. Jupiter is weak in Capricorn, so bringing any big vision plans or positive humanitarian focused values; struggles for any influence at this time. Jupiter’s optimism has been dimmed. Saturn and Pluto are coming back online, with Saturn moving back into Capricorn in the first week of July, re-activates the Saturn Pluto vibe and events of its exact conjunction in early January 2020. We saw what a strong Mars can do, when it crossed Saturn and Pluto in February – March 2020, in Capricorn. Things quickly began to spiral out of control at this time. Now were moving into a time where Mars will again be in a strong position to continually activating this, from July – January 2021, rather than merging with this energy, it will be activating it from a more aggressive square angle.
If you have Mars retrograde IN your birth-chart, this is your time to shine. People who have it in their natal chart, tend to get activated and achieve a lot of positive things, during the retrograde time period. This is due to their natal placement being unlocked and ignited. They finally get to harness the energy they have nataly, that is usually hidden, repressed or locked away. Mars retrograde nativities tend to avoid conflict, but when the sky mirrors their natal placement, they finally get to express their strength and might. It’s almost like they build towards each retrograde cycle, to accomplish the next phases.
Things to keep in mind during this upcoming Mars in Aries Period. Watch the burning of the midnight oil and running yourself down. Overextending yourself at this time is a real possibility. This will be a marathon, not a sprint. Making up for any lost time or ground from early 2020, will be ill advised in this next 6 months, things are very much still influx for the rest of 2020. Curve balls will come, so be ready.
Mars is energetic, active and loves to assert this strength via brute force. Saturn, which Mars meets and is also strong in its rulership of Capricorn. Saturn likes to keep a routine, make long term plans and working towards them. Mars is spontaneous energy and exertion, Saturn is calculated, cautious and conservative with its energies. Saturn also likes fiscal responsibility and doing the admin. Mars, is too busy making things happen, bulldozing large areas and thinks about the consequences after. This will be the constant push and pull over the next 6 months. Making sure you keep these two squaring energies in check is very really important for the next 6 months. Saturn’s influence during this time, does however have the upper hand.
Over extending or gambling on an offer or bet, will most likely see you come off second best. Do expect some out of the blue surprises, or any hostilities that do pop up, register and keep a track of it. There could be something more to it. Don’t shy away from or ignore gut instincts. We are getting into some pretty gnarly terrain and staying on guard, without being overly defensive or hostile is extremely helpful. Managing how you exert and replenish your energy is vital. The next 6 months is some of the trickiest terrain we have had to navigate in decades. Keeping all this in mind as we enter the next 6 months will be really helpful as we enter the next phase of 2020.
MARS THORUGH THE SIGNS
ARIES / ARIES RISING
Having your ruler activate your house of vitality, being seen and how you present, might be a double-edged sword. Being aware of not burning out and watching your health and energy will be of great assistance over the next 6 months. Be conscious of how you do and say things, making sure you aren’t seen or interpreted, in an overly aggressive or hostile way, especially when things get a bit heated or stressful. Mars being so visible, may put any anger or frustrations on show, in ways you may not be aware of. Monitor it. How you manage your health and conduct yourself, is of great importance over the next 6 months, as the triggers and frustrations will be there. Don’t take the bait. Conservative approaches, will have the upper hand.
TAURUS / TAURUS RISING
Mars spending so much time in your subconscious, and private realms may see under the surface agitation. Sleep disruptions, maybe a thing, as well as an increase in frustrations, of things you thought you have forgotten about or want to avoid dealing with. Knowing that your subconscious will be activated and churred up over such a long-time frame will be helpful, as you learn to untangle the fuse. You may feel irritable and frustrated, that things or angers you tried to supress, pop back up. But using the determination and energy of a hot Mars to cut through the tangled cords, will be of great assistance. Mars has a severing effect and getting rid of old cords and things that hold you back, might be greatly assisted at this time, but it will unfold over a longer than wanted time frame.
GEMINI / GEMINI RISING
Mars will give a blast of enthusiasm and great momentum to groups, communities and shared activities. Having so much energy in a such a social area of your chart, means this area will be extremely active and energized. You will have lots of reserves to pull from, but it’s easy to burn through it all when your running on adrenaline. Watch you don’t over commitment or bite off more than you can chew. Keep an eye out for hostilities or aggressive behaviour from community and groups. Don’t get dragged into them, as they will pop up. Remember this is a marathon not a sprint. Longer time frames will allow for more success overall, there might be a strong drive to do it all at once. Tempering and thought out action is a lot more productive long term, than running yourself into the ground, because you found a new well of energy to tap into. Boundaries will be important when dealing with community, groups or networking activities.
CANCER / CANCER RISING
Having Mars make its home in your Career, Ambitions and Reputation sector, will make for a hot and active 6 months. Mars in Aries has its advantages but making sure you wield his energy at appropriate times is the key here. Being engaging, active, energetic and enthusiastic around Career and Reputation is important. You are worth it, and you are an asset for any team. But being cool, cautious and calculated (Saturn like) will help balance all this Mars energy, which can be exhausting in itself. Solid friends and one on one relationships will help anchor you as you traverse the next 6 months. Mars will be hot and fiery, stoking passions and maybe resentments. Be mindful of the rays you hurl around any career or reputations that relate to your career. Mars in the 10thcan be difficult but keeping the right checks and balances as well as keeping a positive active role in what battles you want to forge on the Career front are important. Just make sure you aren’t dragged into the wrong battles or the wrong side of opinions. Use Mars to help drive your ambition, without taking anyone else down or out, in pursuit of your ambitions.
LEO / LEO RISING
Mars will spend 6 months burning though your beliefs and Philosophy sector of your chart. Now you have a real chance to get rid of any self-limiting beliefs of things you didn’t think you could do. Mars is set to challenge, your belief systems, allowing them to be re-formed or moulded into a way that allows you to become more aligned with such an abundance of Mars energy. There may be challenges or glitches along the way but proving your own strength and abilities to yourself is one manifestation of this energy. Also powering through any research, study, education, books or publishing would be a positive use of Mars in Aries for so long. Just make sure that you don’t become the hostile one and being overly aggressive in challenging such beliefs in others. Not really the most positive use of this energy, but a possible manifestation.
VIRGO / VIRGO RISING
Mars will be spending 6 months in your area of shared resources and external money sources. Everything needs to be done by the book, with the potential for the odd miscellaneous expense to pop up. Managing outgoings and keeping on top of the admin is of great importance right now. Mars might feel like you are wanting to push forwards with external financial investments. Do your homework, don’t rush in. There are many other unseen variables at work. Mars might make you feel a sense of urgency and momentum around debt and resource. Keeping a conservative view, doing the groundwork as well as not hedging bets on gambles or high-risk ventures right now are good things, to keep in the forefront of your mind for the rest of 2020.
LIBRA / LIBRA RISING
It will be challenging having Mars activating your one on one relationships for 6 months, but don’t let the agitation break your cool. Mars is quick, swift, fastmoving and energetic. You may find yourself surrounded by these kinds of people for the next 6 months. Do beware, low vibe Mars people may also crop up. Hostile, Angry, and Short Tempered, manage your relationship to these people accordingly and make sure you check yourself in these roles as the rest of the year progresses. Keeping a cool head and a good check on your one on one relations keeps you in good stead. Expect challenges, but be the cool detached one in the relationship, no matter how difficult it might be at the time.
SCORPIO / SCORPIO RISING
Having Mars sitting in the house of its joy, as well as being your ruler means you probably have some of the best pickings from this challenging 6 months. Mars rev’s up your day to day & health routines. A great time to smash through the to do list, as well as get physically active and work that body. Just be very mindful of burn out or going to hard. We are in quite an active time, so you might not need to do as much as you initially expect to get good results. Looking after yourself health-wise is essential, and don’t make the to list, do big, to be successful over the next 6 months. It’s all about bite size portions, and not over committing, though over estimation of energy sources.
SAGITTARIUS / SAGITTARIUS RISING
Mars gives good momentum for you over the next 6 months, to pursue and engage with things that bring great joy or creative outlets to you. Making sure the fast momentum and energizing doesn’t get overtaken by frustration or burn out by over committing to such projects. Deadlines and timeframes may need to be longer than usual. There is a lot going on, so make sure you don’t bite off more than you can chew. Just because you love doing it, doesn’t mean you should forget about other commitments over this time frame. Balancing what you love doing and find creatively rewarding, along with the daily grind is key to keeping in balance for the next 6 months. It will do wonders for you overall.
CAPRICORN / CAPRICORN RISING
Mars spending so long in your home and family sector, will be something that needs to be managed and monitored. Mars going through the base of your chart, which also includes your ancestors stirs and agitates the depths. With Saturn in Capricorn in your 1st house, trying to establish boundaries and authority around “Who you are” and “What your identify as/with” vs Mars in your home sector, agitating and stirring up the waters of where you come from and how these things sit together, will be a tricky balancing act. The retrograde, may have you feeling like you’re challenged or moving backwards. Make sure you check your aggression and hostility towards family as you work through all this will be important. Mars in Aries is a pretty big trigger, and with it spending so long in such a sensitive and personal place in your chart, will need management. Making good with it, and using its power wisely is of the upmost importance right now.
AQUARIUS / AQUARIUS RISING
Having a strong Mars, in your local neighbourhood and resource sector, will see hot flashes or little micro aggressions pop up in your local neighbourhood, as you go about your routines. Mars also activates your relationships with siblings. Beware of these flashpoints. Not all aggressions, frustration or challenges need to be brought into. There is a lot going on for the rest of 2020, working out if what pops up in these areas is really worth putting your energy into will be part of the process. Upshot? Getting out and engaging and being active in your local community through sports or exercising in your neighbourhood, is a positive use, of all this physically strong and mobile energy. It may help take the stress off as we make our way through 2020. Be extra cautious when driving over the next 6 months, anything with strong fire power in your day to day neighbourhood should be treated with care, as its all on high rev for 6 months.
PISCES / PISCES RISING
Mars spending 6 months in your Money house, will be challenging. Watching how you spend, manage, invest or earn your money will be where Mars edges his sword from now to January 2021. Mars in your money house, may see more out goings as things you don’t expect pop up, with those annoying one off’s. Expect some unexpected expenditure, keep this in mind so you can monitor the essential and non-essential spending, before these things pop up. However, leaning into a strong Saturn in Capricorn, will be of great assistance. Use your networks or community to help establish strong structures around Money, and how you earn it. Mars maybe pushing you to get out there and earn it. Using your solid network of friends and connections, is how you end up doing it.