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.

Full Moon in Taurus

Taurus Full Moon

Yesterday Mercury entered the heart of the Sun, making its inferior conjunction at 18º Scorpio. This aspect is a pivotal turning point in the Mercury retrograde cycle, and any confusion that has surfaced over the last couple of weeks may begin to become more clear. Mercury will continue its retrograde cycle through November 20, when it stations direct at 27 Scorpio. When Mercury and the Sun conjoin, Mercury is at its most invisible, and from this point forward Mercury will begin to emerge from the bottom of the underworld. Stay present and aware of any information that may reveal itself- as it may be insight into what has been hidden or in the dark.

A Full Moon at 19º Taurus closely followed this conjunction, with this aspect going exact at 4:35am PDT today. The opposition of Sun and Moon highlights a dynamic and tension. The opposition of Taurus and Scorpio is an axis of life, death and rebirth. Taurus is spring- it is Earth, the body, and fertility. Scorpio is autumn- it is water, emotions, and death.

Exalted in Taurus, this Full Moon brings a steadiness, calm, and presence. Venus in Sagittarius is the ruler of this lunation, and together with Jupiter, the two benefics are blessing us with abundance, compassion, and magnetism.

Full Moons bring endings and ask us to let go.

Reflect upon the ways in which you disconnect from your physical body. Spend time in your body and disconnect from all of the distractions keeping you from being present.

What are you willing to let die? Death is not the end, it is part of the cycle- it is alchemy and transformation.

Breathe deeply. The cycle of breath is the cycle of life. We cannot only inhale, fill, and gather. We must also exhale, let go, and release.

xx

New Moon in Libra

New Moon in Libra

Libra begins the second half of the zodiac. At the spring equinox, the sun moves into Aries- the sign of the self. At the vernal equinox, the sun moves into Libra- the sign of relationship.

Libra is a sign of justice, and it seeks balance. Deeply aware of its surroundings- Libra seeks to keep the peace in its environment and everyone in it.

Ruled by Venus, Libra is an energy of unification, affirmation, and beauty.

The ruler of today’s New Moon in Libra is Venus. She is in one of her home signs- Libra, making this New Moon especially sweet, generous and charming. The Sun, Moon, Mercury and Venus all in the sign of harmony and beauty bring a strength to this lunar cycle- inviting us to plant a new seed of intention.

What new relationships do you wish to create in your life?

What existing relationships are in need of more balance, harmony, and ease?

Relationships take several forms- not just romantic. This is a moment to evaluate your relationship to money, to what you value, to your friendships and partnerships, and to your creativity.

The most important relationship is your relationship to your self. As you tune in, center yourself, and become clear in who you are, your relationships in turn will reflect that back to you.

New Moon Blessings.

xx

The Axis of Transformation

The Axis of Transformation: Full Moon in Scorpio

This Saturday, the entire face of the moon will be illuminated by the light of the sun. The sun has been moving through the sign of Taurus since April 20. The sun is a symbol of pure consciousness. As the sun has been in Taurus, our attention has been on growth, the fertility of mother Earth, and increased sunlight. Taurus is the sign of abundance, wealth, and values. Its desire is to accumulate material possessions, as it fears lack of security and scarcity.

The moon changes signs every 2 and a half days or so. It will move into Scorpio Thursday evening, where it will remain until Saturday afternoon. The full moon goes exact at 2:11pm, with the sun at the 27th degree of Taurus, and the moon at the 27th degree of Scorpio. Full moons are oppositions: the sun and moon exactly 180º away from one another. 

Scorpio is the sign of death, emotional attachments, and transformation. Scorpio season occurs in the middle of fall, when leaves are falling and the Earth is beginning to contract. Daylight is decreasing and the instinct is to preserve. Scorpio is an energy of power, intuition, and rebirth. Light cannot exist without darkness, just as life cannot exist without death. Full moons remind us that life is cyclical, not linear.

This full moon may bring deep emotions to the surface, some of which we may have turned away from or refused to fully acknowledge. Emotions demand to be felt fully. Allow them to surface, and feel them in your body. 

This is a time to ask yourself what you truly value. Is it your wealth, your money, and your material possessions? The moment you fear losing something, realize it does not belong to you. We own nothing in this world, other than what is contained in our hearts. Hold onto love. Hold onto your self-worth. But release the rest. Let go of the old stories and patterns that are holding you down and keeping you from growing spiritually. Let go of the relationships that make you feel disempowered and unworthy. 

The energy of this full moon requires deep courage: to embrace change and to step into the unknown. Change brings transformation and growth. 

We are all broken, we all have darkness, and we all have fear. Love the part of yourself that feels broken and fearful of change. Love the part of yourself that is dark, shameful and feels unworthy. Step into the shadow, and remember that you are worthy of deep, unconditional love.

xx