Summertime

Leo Season is in full swing. Leo is summer at its brightest and boldest expression, and holds the fire element of the fixed cross. Symbolized by the lion, Leo represents courage, loyalty, leadership and enthusiasm. Leo is warm, playful and expressive.

Ruled by the Sun, Leo is heat: abundant, generous and radiant- the center of our solar system. The Sun is the central organizing force of our solar system, keeping all of our planets in orbit. The Sun’s movement is the most consistent of all planetary bodies from our vantage point, and is therefore a symbol of stability and strength. The Sun is our star- it gives us hope, optimism, and light.

In the body, Leo rules the heart. Just as the Sun is the center of our solar system, our heart is the center of our energy centers: connecting Earth with the Heavens. In Chinese medicine, the heart is associated with fire, and during the summer, the heart’s energy is at its peak. The heart is the root of life, and it is where our spirit resides.

Leo is magnetic- it has a gravitational force and loves to be the center of attention. Leo is dramatic, performative and charismatic. When Leo gets stuck in its need for approval, it can become bombastic and tyrannical, and incredibly sensitive to criticism. But at its purest essence, Leo is creative expression that emanates from the heart- shining brightly and encouraging everyone else to shine as well.

Leo season is a time to tap into the playful, creative energy from within the heart. it is a time to authentically express yourself, with presence and love. It is not a time to judge or criticize yourself or others. Ridicule and shame destroys the creative spirit of Leo, and is detrimental to our intrinsic need to feel worthy.

The Sun began its yearly transit through Leo last Monday night, July 22, where it will remain until August 23. Venus will join the Sun and Mars tomorrow- inspiring boldness and passion in our desires and actions.

Mercury is still traversing the waters of Cancer, teaching us about what we need in order to feel emotionally secure. Any Mercury retrograde gives us the chance to reflect and gain new insight into something we may have initially overlooked or missed. Stay alert for moments of intuitive clarity.

The eclipses have passed, yet the energy will continue to linger until the moon reaches complete darkness at the Leo New Moon on July 31- the same day Mercury moves direct.

Prioritize both rest and play, and always keep your center- your heart.

A new beginning is just on the horizon.

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!