Aligned for Mercury Retrograde

Mercury retrograde in Leo reminds us to be aware of the two sides of pride: the kind that ‘goeth before a fall’ and the other kind that is about self-esteem and a feeling of belonging in the world. We are beset these days will all manner of terrifying narcissistic behaviors in our leaders.  Mercury retrograde always encourages us to look within, to listen to the still small voice, to reconsider if things are the way we think they are. When the outside world is so chaotic we may find it especially difficult, as individuals, to know who we are in some of the most fundamental ways.

The journey of this retrograde period involves a square to Jupiter in Scorpio on August 11^th. I think Jupiter, as it has journeyed through Scorpio since October 2017, has a lot to do with the ‘me too’ movement. It’s not easy to look at the places where we have been betrayed, even harder when it seems we have done it to ourselves. But to not look is the more difficult choice in the end. Mercury retrograde calls us to look at the effect of betrayal or misuse of power in our lives. And to do this with kindness toward ourselves first, then extending it to others if possible. Only if possible.

The most important day of any Mercury retrograde period is the conjunction with the Sun which happens on August 8^th. Given that there is always a whisper on the wind when Mercury conjuncts the Sun; something we need to hear even if we aren’t sure what it means at first, it’s always a good day to take some time and see if you get any messages. It can also be a time when it’s important to open yourself up to messages that are coming from outside you (in your mail or email box, through the chat with your neighbor…). In Leo the intuitive, artistic, creative qualities of mind can be very powerful.

You can read more about Mercury’s aspects at Insights for the Month. Here are the significant dates.

Mercury retrograde 26^th (1:03 AM EDT)

Sun conjunct Mercury August 8^th (10:06 PM EDT)

Mercury square Jupiter, August 11^th (2:32 AM EDT)

Mercury direct August 19^th (00:25 AM EDT)

Mercury enters the shadow of the retrograde period (setting up the issues) around July 8^th and releases the issues after September 2^nd.

Join the Aligned for Mercury Retrograde alignment healing session with Carolyn Winter and I on July 25th 2018.  We will broadcast live on video conferencing.  The recording is available afterward.   Click here for more information and  to register. 

Warm regards,

Julie 

Mercury will be very busy this time around, putting its retrograde stamp on the Saturn, Uranus trine of 2017, as well as connecting with Venus, Chiron and some asteroids, not to mention the Sun which is always involved in these things.

The actual station on December 3^rd is at 29 degrees of Sagittarius: The last degree before Capricorn. It will have been close to Saturn and trining Uranus since late November.  

29 degrees of any sign suggest a threshold; a line separating before from after. Mercury gets up to the line and then doesn’t cross it. Although Saturn will most definitely cross that same line on December 19^th. So here we are, wanting things to be different, expecting things to happen when in fact, it’s not quite time. And one of Mercury’s favorite lessons is that if you force the time you might just make a mess. This Mercury retrograde period encourages us, more than most, to finish what we started. Granted it’s December and most people are grandly distracted by seasonal expectations. Maybe what you haven’t finished is your list for Santa or gifts for the kiddies. But maybe it’s something deeper than that. Maybe you’re not sure what kind of vision if any you have that allows you to go forward into 2018 which promises to be at least as chaotic as 2017. And what would it mean if you didn’t? Lucky for us we have three weeks to ponder, sort and figure things out.

The most important day of any Mercury retro period is the conjunction with the Sun which happens December 12^th right around the time it will conjunct Venus, trine Uranus and square Chiron. This suggests a great time full of creative talent and brilliant ideas as well as some foolish or simply delightful risk-takings but there is also the shadow of the suffering of others. We know how to have a good time. But what about those who cannot afford or are not in a location where they are safe enough to do that?

Sagittarius is a complicated sign. On one hand it loves to party and is also very creative. On the other hand it can be very depressed and gloomy. This is not necessarily an indication of pathology but rather a human dilemma. Ours to discover, endure and/or work with during this Mercury retrograde period.  

You can read more about Mercury’s aspects at Insights for the Month. 

Warm regards,

Julie 

Beautiful sunrise in Toronto today. The forecast should improve with Mercury going direct tomorrow morning around 7:30am