In the Heart of the Sun

Mercury Retrograde, Explained:

Mercury’s orbit around the sun is approximately 88 days. It is the quickest moving planet, with the most variability in speed and direction. 3 times a year, Mercury turns retrograde- appearing to move backward through the zodiac from our vantage point on Earth. The apparent motion of this quick-moving planet can bring confusion, delays and misunderstandings.

Mercury is the messenger of the planets- delivering information from the underworld to the heavens, and everywhere in between. Ruling all things related to communication, technology and transportation, Mercury’s retrograde cycle can make all of these areas of life go haywire.

Mercury’s Journey through Pisces:

Tomorrow marks the halfway point of Mercury’s retrograde cycle, as it enters the heart of the Sun at 6°55’ Pisces. Mercury is purified and reborn as it passes through the Sun, and for a moment, we have access to insight and clarity.

Mercury’s journey through Pisces has been, and may continue to be, an emotional one. Pisces is sensitive, empathic, and spiritual. Mercury in Pisces has a difficulty staying grounded in the present moment- it is often nostalgic for the past, or looking forward to the ideal. Deeply intuitive, Pisces picks up on the psychic vibes from its environment. If you have felt especially emotional or ungrounded the last couple of weeks, take note of who and what is around you- what you are feeling may not even belong to you.

While tomorrow is a turning point, we still have 2 weeks until Mercury stations to go direct at 28°12 Aquarius.

Mercury Retrograde Checklist:

-Stay patient and flexible: give yourself plenty of time to get to where you need to go, and assume everyone else will be running late.

-Check in with how you are feeling: and cleanse your energetic body as needed- epsom salt baths, burning sage, spending time near water…

-Revisit old projects, meditate, journal, engage in anything that reconnects you with your creative self.

-Practice non-attachment: you have little to no control over most things in life, and the less you try to control, the more likely you will get through this moment as unscathed as possible.

-Remember that everything is temporary. Everything.

Red Light, Green Light

For the last several hours, Mars in Cancer has been in opposition to Saturn in Capricorn. Mars is the planet of assertion, severing and decisiveness. In the sign of Cancer, it is taking action based on emotion, and motivated strongly by feelings. Saturn has been in Capricorn since December 2017. Saturn is the planet of time, age, and karma. Ruled by Saturn, Capricorn is the sign of achievement, ambition, and the initiation of structures.

As these two planets oppose each other, their energies conflict- Mars wants to act, and Saturn creates a boundary. Mars is ready to speed through the green light, and Saturn turns the light red. This can bring up feelings of frustration, resistance, and emotional charge. As this aspect separates later today, you may feel the weight of repressed emotion, or you may feel relieved. The energy of Mars in Cancer has been building since May 15, and now is a time to not let your emotions get the best of you. If frustration arises, find an outlet to productively use your energy- exercise, journal, meditate, engage in creative projects.

Early tomorrow morning the moon will move into Sagittarius, bringing an energy of hope and optimism. Sagittarius is idealistic, and chooses to see the best in situations. At the 25th degree of Sagittarius, the moon will come into opposition with the sun in Gemini on Monday at 1:30am PDT. This full moon sheds led on our ideals, our beliefs, and how we seek meaning in our lives. The sun in Gemini brings our conscious awareness to our language, our expression, and how we connect with others. The moon in Sagittarius brings our emotional awareness to how we seek personal meaning.

Jupiter, the planet of expansion, generosity and abundance, also joins this full moon. Jupiter has been moving through Sagittarius, since December 2018. This full moon highlights the energy of Sagittarius in its planetary ruler: idealism, optimism and truth.

At this full moon, become curious about what you believe to be true about yourself. Gemini and Sagittarius both seek truth: Gemini seeks truth in intellect— through relationships and learning, while Sagittarius seeks truth in making meaning— through travel, adventure, and teaching.

What do you believe in? Our beliefs shape our perception, and our perception creates our reality. This full moon calls us to question our beliefs, especially those that are self-limiting. Choose to believe that you are capable of achieving all of your greatest ambitions. And release the thoughts, ideas, and relationships that are keeping you from believing otherwise.

Create the space for yourself this weekend to meditate, find stillness, and spend time in nature. Open your mind to the possibility that you are enough, that you are worthy, and that you are capable. Let optimism fuel your trajectory, rather than your fluctuating emotions.

On June 18, Mercury and Mars come into alignment at the 21st degree of Cancer. The energy of this conjunction sharpens our mind and makes our communication direct. In the sign of Cancer, however, this can lead to conflict, especially if we communicate impulsively and from a place of emotional reactivity.

On June 19, Mercury and Mars at the 22nd degree of Cancer will oppose Pluto in Capricorn. Pluto is the death force: it is destruction, transformation and regeneration. This aspect brings an intensity—as we are challenged to move through the layers of fear. We may be confronted with our self-destructive patterns, especially the patterns of emotional attachment.

As the weekend begins, find the reprieve in the Sagittarius full moon. Next week requires patience, self-discipline, and honesty. Give yourself the space to feel without letting your emotions overtake you. Pause before reacting to others. And finally, remember that we are all human, and we are all going through our own personal struggles. You are not alone. The darkness will pass.