In the Heart of the Sun

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.

Feeling oh so Virgo

So. Much. Virgo.

Virgo strives for perfection, efficiency and focus. Settling for anything less is not something that comes naturally to Virgo.

For the last week, the inner planets have been moving through Virgo- and this energy has been potent. The Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars are all clustered together- bringing our attention, our minds, our desires, and our energy into this highly productive and analytical sign.

The energy of Virgo is critical and systematic. Virgo is productive, efficient and exacting. However, when attention to detail becomes obsession with detail, Virgo is blinded from seeing the big picture. This kind of paralysis creates stress, anxiety, and disconnection from presence. Virgo’s standard of perfection is unsustainable, and most of the time, is impossible. Instead of using its discernment and precision into making something useful and of service, Virgo’s criticism destroys creativity and its connection to what is sacred.

When embodied, Virgo is both anchored in the moment, and immersed in spirituality.

This intense Virgo energy will culminate at the Full Moon in Pisces in one week- a Full Moon with the potential for profound healing.

xx

Mercury Retrograde is Back!

What is Mercury retrograde?

Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, taking about 88 days to complete its orbit. About 3 times a year, Mercury turns retrograde, or appears to move backwards from our vantage point on Earth. Mercury is not actually moving backwards, but it is the apparent movement we observe against the backdrop of fixed stars that creates this visual illusion.

Mercury rules things that move quickly- technology, travel, and communication. Mercury is also a symbol of the mind. As this fast-moving planet slows down and appears to move backwards, it is a time to reprocess and review the emotional content and landscape of the last few weeks. Repeating, reassessing, reevaluating, redoing…are all things that may surface during any Mercury retrograde.

From July 7 to 31, Mercury will appear to move from 4º28’ Leo to 23º57’ Cancer. During this part of Mercury’s orbit, it will be at its closest to Earth until the next retrograde cycle in October. When a planet moves closer to Earth, and therefore farther away from the sun, its energy can become louder and more intense.

Mercury in the signs:

Mercury will be retracing its steps in the signs of Leo and Cancer. Mercury in Leo is charismatic, charming and performative. In Leo, Mercury expresses itself creatively, passionately and courageously. Mercury in Cancer is reserved, intuitive, and cautious. In Cancer, Mercury is sensitive, emotionally intelligent, and expresses itself subjectively.

Mercury’s journey in the sky:

Mercury will appear to stop at 4º28’ Leo this Sunday, July 7. It will move backwards through the first degrees of Leo until it reaches Cancer on July 19. From July 19 through 31, Mercury will back up all the way to 23º57’ Cancer, where it will then begin to move forward again. It isn’t until August 14 that Mercury returns to 4º28’ Leo- where it is stationing to go retrograde in 2 days.

What does this mean?

Anytime a planet turns retrograde, its energy moves inward. As a symbol of the mind, when Mercury turns retrograde, so do our mental processes. This is not a time to fear, but instead a time to practice patience, awareness and intention. To remember that not taking action is a form of action. To remember that our reality is based on our limited and biased perception. And to remember that we can only control our attitude and response to others. 

We are in between eclipses, and as the energy builds to the total lunar eclipse taking place on July 16, give yourself permission to slow down, and practice radical self-love!

xx

Calling to the Moon

Calling to the Moon

The moon is in constant flux- from new to full and then back to new. The moon is mysterious, receptive and feminine. 

The sun moves into Cancer on June 21, beginning a new season. Before summer starts, we are already feeling the energy of the moon influencing us on a daily basis. Mars, the planet of action and assertion, moved into Cancer on May 15- where it will remain until the end of June. Mercury, the planet of the mind, moved into Cancer this past Tuesday. Cancer is the sign of home, family, and emotional bonds. Ruled by the Moon, Cancer is sensitive, nurturing, and intuitive.

When planets move into Cancer, they are responding to the sign that the moon is in. The moon changes signs every 2.5 days- creating a frequent shift in our minds, our communication, and the action we take. 

If you feel unsteady and ungrounded, pay attention to what sign the moon is in. The moon is in Leo today, where it will remain until tomorrow afternoon. Leo is the sign of creative expression, optimism, and generosity. As the moon moves through Leo notice if your mind is energized, and if your actions are taken from a heart-centered space.

Tomorrow afternoon through Monday, the moon will make its first quarter square to the sun in Gemini. First quarter moons mark the halfway point from new to full. The seeds planted on Monday’s new moon in Gemini are now beginning to externalize. It can feel restless and unsettling. With the sun and the moon both in Mercury ruled signs, we may feel especially anxious, stressed, and obsessed with the details. While the moon is in Virgo it’s a good time to be of service, to organize, and be practical. Watching your words is especially important- as Gemini and Virgo both tend to be critical. 

Monday evening through Wednesday the moon will be in Libra, the sign of harmony and balance. However, with Mercury and Mars in Cancer, and Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn, the Libra moon will be making hard aspects to these planets- raising emotional sensitivity and potentially bringing conflict.

Finally, Wednesday evening through the middle of the night on Friday, the moon will enter Scorpio, the sign of transformation, emotional attachments and power. Scorpio moons already have an intense quality to them, as the moon is in its fall in this sign. 

This next week will culminate at the Sagittarius Full Moon, on Monday, June 17. Stay tuned for the astrology of the second and final lunation of June.