Mercury Direct: Write It Down, Speak It Without Fear Dear Friend & Reader: Welcome to 2017! This first week of the new year also ushers us into the final days of the current Mercury retrograde. And while this could mean that you're feeling some difficulty in launching (especially if you've had significant time off for the holidays), there's a deeper and more distinct message when Mercury stations direct this weekend.
At that time, Mercury will be in the next-to-last degree of Sagittarius, after having spent more than two weeks moving backwards through Capricorn. (Mercury crept over the threshold from Capricorn through the back door of Sagittarius on Wednesday.) The last few degrees of Sagittarius are currently populated by several complex and powerful bodies that suggest some very clear and evocative themes. Chief among them are the Trans-Neptunian Object Quaoar, centaur Pholus, and the very core of our Milky Way Galaxy, known as the Galactic Core. These bodies combine to emphasize kind of a two-pronged message for Sunday's Mercury station direct. I'll start with Pholus. This is the centaur that signifies, provokes or suggests the sensation of something being right on the brink of going out of control. Its main key-phrase is, "small cause, big effect." Think of it as that feeling of letting the genie out of the bottle, with all of the unforeseen consequences that calls to mind. Mercury is the planet of communication and thought processes. In this week's Planet Waves FM broadcast, Eric states that Mercury stationing direct conjunct Pholus could indicate you saying something that sends a conversation out of control. Or, even more likely, it may represent the thing that you're not saying out of fear that it could send the conversation off the rails. Quick question: What would you truly be risking if that did in fact happen? Can you be certain it would be a bad thing? After all, even uncomfortable events can lead to creative breakthroughs, opportunities and desperately needed shifts in circumstances. Human beings are famous for clinging to the false security of the status quo even when it has become desperately uncomfortable or untenable and is prohibiting growth.
Which brings us to Quaoar. Quaoar was the creation deity of the Tongva people of Southern California. Its myth involves Quaoar dancing and singing the sky god into existence, who then helps to dance the Earth Goddess into existence. As each deity joins the dance, they help to bring the next round of creation into being. As Eric describes it, in modern astrology we can interpret Quaoar in two ways. One is your personal story of where you come from (such as what kind of soul you feel you have, etc.). The other is the collection of stories, usually taken for granted, about how you came to be in the long line of your family's pattern of ancestry -- family mythology that's often taken on an unconscious level. Next is the Galactic Core (GC): the center of our galaxy, where we seem to be able to access the most powerful cosmic homing signal. We can't actually see the GC thanks to all the dust, gases, stars and whatnot between it and us. Eric often describes contact with the GC as the sensation of finally understanding something profound, but then forgetting what you've learned. Mercury stationing direct conjunct such a powerful object suggests that any time you have an 'a-ha' moment in the next few days (and especially Sunday), write it down! Even if you are sure you'll remember it, and especially if it comes through a dream, take the time to leave yourself a voice memo on your phone or scribble down a few words of reminder. Quaoar and the GC bring out the second major message of Mercury stationing direct: this moment involves groups and families (and their patterns), and potentially some attractive force or even collective awakening. There's an indication that it will be crucial to make a physical, tangible note about it. You want to be able to use what you learn as Mercury moves forward out of Sagittarius, and re-enters Capricorn on Jan. 12, slowly picking up speed.
-- Saturn square Manwe: tension between religiosity (or the posture of dogma) and the essence of the message itself (or the messenger). -- Eros square Ixion: What can you do to be kinder about sex, rather than getting caught up in the power trip? Can you reject people more compassionately? Can you accept those people you actually want? -- Nemesis conjunct Toro: We have a persistent problem with bullying and machismo, as evidenced by the incoming president. With these points conjunct the Galactic Core, are we in for some kind of transformation or awareness around this topic? -- Achilles conjunct Orpheus: Don't let yourself be lulled or seduced by your insecurity or false lack of confidence. Insecurity is no excuse for not taking action! Recognize what you've accomplished, give yourself credit and take on some challenges. Finally, just in case you need this basic reminder: the Mercury 'storm' phase, which is a few days on either side of Mercury changing apparent direction, is a time to be patient. Stay focused, and move slowly and consciously. You'd be wise to hold off on making any big changes between now and Jan. 10 or so. Should you have the most brilliant new idea and can't wait to get cracking on it, remember the lesson of the GC: write it down. You want to be sure it's still there for you when you've sorted through any tangles and it's truly time to put the wheels in motion. Onward! Yours & truly,  Amanda Painter Planet Waves (ISSN 1933-9135) is published each Tuesday and Thursday evening in Kingston, New York, by Planet Waves, Inc. Core Community membership: $197/year. Editor and Publisher: Eric Francis Coppolino. Web Developer: Anatoly Ryzhenko. Special Project Designer: Lizanne Webb. Finance: Jonathan McCarthy. Astrology Editor: Amanda Painter. Astrology Fact Checker: Len Wallick. Copy Editor and Fact Checker: Jessica Keet. Eric's Assistant: Gale Jazylo. Client Services: Amy Elliott. Media Consultant: Andrew Ellis Marshall McLuhan. Music Director: Daniel Sternstein. Bass and Drums: Daniel Grimsland. Additional Research, Writing and Opinions: Amy Jacobs, Cindy Ragusa and Carol van Strum.
 Pre-order 2017 Reading: All 12 Signs | Individual Signs Read All 18 Past Years' Annuals! A Tradition, a Feeling, and Great Readings: The Planet Waves Annual Dear Friend and Reader: Each year at this time, I am busy creating the Planet Waves annual edition. It's an Internet tradition but it's also a tradition in my life. I also consider it an invention: a way to get you a solid, detailed and authentic astrology reading, with information that makes a difference in your life -- astrology that you remember and come back to -- for a very modest fee. It's actually a rather astounding document that gives you access to 18 years of annuals so you can research your life.
The Planet Waves annual is one of a kind. There is nothing else like it in the business: an alive, immediate, accessible reading of the astrology that is happening right now and in the coming few seasons. The readings work for your Sun sign and your rising sign. It's a full-service offering. I write and record the readings to be motivational and inspiring, as well as factually informative about the astrological influences you will actually experience. I also think of it as a kind of yearbook, recording the story of our moment, the issues that were occupying our thoughts, and the breakthroughs in astrology and astronomy. Every annual is created taking into account the newest planetary discoveries of the era when it was created. Each annual has its own ambience, music and feeling tones that I associate with it, and memories of the place it was created. The Planet Waves annual has been a forum for developing the astonishing talent you see on our staff -- a kind of learning laboratory and easy way to get involved, a place to try new ideas and, in truth, to invent the craft of astrology as we go. Read more...  Old Soles Meet Good Souls Note: TC, the part-time page administrator for the Bangor (Maine) Police Department's Facebook page, has become something of a minor celebrity for his humane and often very funny posts about the BPD's encounters -- and their mascot Duck of Justice. TC's post for today struck me as well-worth reprinting. -- Amanda The man had holes in his sneakers. He was walking up Hammond Street in the sleet, slush, and rushing water. When you walk uphill and the water is flowing downhill, it is better to have your soles attached to your shoes.
Probably hundreds of people drove by him, hundreds looked at him. But how many people actually saw him? Dawn did. She called us. She offered to purchase a pair of boots for the man. She hoped that we might find him and speak to him. The man who was cold, had now been seen. Officer Jermaine Walker located the man a short time later on a side street. Still walking. Still cold and wet. Old sneakers with flapping soles and socks that you would have thrown away a long time ago. Walker brought the man back to the station to get him warmed up a bit. Walker was well aware that we have been overrun with donated socks this year. Simple gifts from local businesses. TJ Maxx, Winterport Boot, local people, and people from far way. Walker helped the man find appropriate socks for the season and gave him a pair of his own boots to tide him over until the other boots could be secured. They fit nicely. We all are more alike than we are different. Tactical boots that are properly broken in by a world-class athlete are always more comfortable. (Walker would expect me to say that. It's all good.) What you might not understand about folks that live on the street is that they don't typically ask for help. Sometimes they just need to be seen. Walker has more space in his locker, and the man can walk a little further knowing that someone had seen him. Old soles meet good souls. It's always darkest before Dawn. Keep your hands to yourself, leave other people's things alone, and be kind to one another. All we have is each other. We will be here. -- TC  This Week on Planet Waves FM Mercury Direct, J. R. R. Tolkien's History of the World Dear Friend and Listener: Tuesday was the 125th birth anniversary of J. R. R. Tolkien (1892-1973). This week's edition of Planet Waves FM [play episode here] is an extended special edition in two segments, devoted to the work to which Tolkien himself was most devoted: The Silmarillion. Published posthumously in 1977, Tolkien worked on The Silmarillion throughout his career, before The Hobbit and long after the completion and success of The Lord of the Rings.
The rest of the program intersperses samples of The Silmarillion read by Martin Shaw [access full recording here] and my commentary about them. I relate these much earlier works to what later develops in The Lord of the Rings. I'll say it again here: once you have some familiarity with The Silmarillion, then The Lord of the Rings bursts into another dimension of reality. The very thing about The Lord of the Rings is how real it feels, like he's reporting a history that actually once happened and that he somehow witnessed. When you know something about the histories he's describing, for example when you know what that abandoned ancient foundation once was (such as at Weathertop), the story's ancient and interwoven nature becomes more vivid. Tolkien's work, in total, is called the "legendarium," a term that applies to him alone. Anyway -- tonight, if you like, you'll meet the original goddesses and gods who gave rise to Middle Earth, you'll meet the Noldor elves, you'll hear the history of Morgoth, mentor to Sauron. I end with a sample of The Rings of Power and The Third Age, a concise summation of the key plot elements leading into Frodo's journey to Mordor with the One Ring. Here is a map of Middle Earth. Tolkien's writing method was to plot his stories on a map. I make reference to Akallabeth: The Downfall of Numenor. This is Tolkien's telling of the Atlantis myth, unlike any I've ever heard, reaching into the heart of the spiritual rather than technical crisis in that pre-history. You can hear Akallabeth on this website we found. Here's the natal and progressed charts I'm using for Prof. Tolkien. Thanks for tuning in. Please do tell me your response to this program. Planet Waves FM is part of the Pacifica Radio Network, published by Chiron Return, Inc., and distributed by Planet Waves. Three rings for the Elven kings under the sky! With love, 
  Your Monthly Horoscopes -- and our Publishing Schedule Notes We published your extended monthly horoscope for January on Thursday, Dec. 22. We published your extended monthly horoscope for December on Wednesday, Nov. 23. We published your Moonshine horoscope for the Capricorn New Moon on Thursday, Dec. 29. Your Moonshine horoscope for the Gemini Full Moon was published Thursday, Dec. 15. Please note: we normally publish the extended monthly horoscope on the first Friday after the Sun has entered a new sign. Short Monthly Horoscope for January 2017, #1133 | By Eric Francis
         Attention Sagittarius Sun, Moon and rising folks: You can get instant access to your two segments of audio astrology, and the tarot reading will be ready shortly! The entire Birthday Reading can be yours for only $24.97. But hurry: the price will increase again when the tarot publishes.
Capricorn Birthdays 2017:
Get Instant Access to Your Capricorn Audio
"Remember this: the central transit of your life, the master transit, the planet that's the central processor of your astrological computer, is Saturn in Sagittarius in the 12th. For the next two years, everything is playing a supporting role, or in some way modifies, describes or elaborates it." -- Eric Francis Coppolino in Vision Quest for Capricorn Dear Friend and Reader: Are you getting the hang of having Saturn in your 12th house now? It's a tricky place to have it, but expert assistance is available.
He designs the audio birthday reading so it takes a different approach to your astrological forecast -- making it an amazing complement to the annual. "Great audio as usual. Thank you for brightening my little attic rooms with your lights, Eric!" -- Catherine Pape The birthday reading includes two audio segments of astrology (at least 30 minutes each) plus a tarot reading -- which will be recorded a little later -- along with an extended description of your sign. You can access all parts of the reading as many times as you wish throughout the year. You can still order your 2017 birthday reading at a discounted price of only $24.97. Once the tarot portion of the reading publishes, the price will increase again. Still not sure? Feel free to review last year's Capricorn Birthday Reading (as a gift from Planet Waves). It's a great way to check Eric's accuracy and integrate what you learned in 2016, so you can focus your vision for the year just beginning. Yours & truly, Amanda Painter   
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