Integration and a Mercury Station

Dear Friend and Reader:

Although the astrology has been relatively quiet this first week following the eclipse season, I've definitely noticed a sense of things still feeling unsettled. Some of that may relate to Mercury and Mars still retrograde but nearing their respective direct stations. Some of it could be due to the fact that no matter how pivotal events like eclipses can be, we still have to figure out how to integrate them into the unbroken continuum of our daily lives — and of social contexts with much longer arcs.

Babbling brook at Camp Timber Trails, Tolland, MA. Photo by Amanda Painter.

For its part, Mercury will station direct in Leo this Sunday, Aug. 19, at 12:25 am EDT (4:24:38 UTC). Mars, which is now in late Capricorn, will station direct eight days later, on Monday, Aug. 27.

Both planets are slow right now, which according to astrological tradition, means they're more powerful. This does not mean that they ‘make you do things', but more that their significance is heightened. Slow, powerful, stormy Mercury may churn something up so that it comes more clearly to your attention; determined-but-frustrated stormy Mars could be asking you to understand your motivation and desires with absolute clarity before you charge ahead with them.

Inner planets stationing direct — along with events like eclipses — are often key times to notice themes in world events. Even if you're not sure there's a strong thematic link, it can be worthwhile to notice what grabs your attention and the headlines. I must confess, last week I just could not bring myself to deal with the news, despite that kind of contextualization being a hallmark of Planet Waves astrology writing. But as this week has progressed, a few particular stories have caught my eye.

Given how much news coverage is about disasters, it's no surprise that many of the items I noticed are not uplifting — though there are a couple. Take, for example, reports on Wednesday that the last of Puerto Rico's homes have had electricity restored.

Why the return of electricity to this small area took nearly an entire year — Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck in September 2017 — could take an entire essay. Also, one has to wonder if the restoration would still be ongoing if so many Puerto Rican residents had not relocated to the U.S. mainland in the aftermath. As it is, NPR and CNN report that residents in El Yunque National Forest in the island's northeast are still awaiting electricity, "because of a back-and-forth with the U.S. Forest Service and PREPA" (Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority). The irony of this timing, which comes just as the Caribbean's annual hurricane season is gearing up, is not lost on those who live there.

Then there's the gut-punch of the week: more than 300 priests in Pennsylvania are accused of sexually abusing more than 1,000 kids over 70 years, according to a newly released report. Sadly, this one shouldn't actually surprise anyone who's been paying attention, horrific as it is. However, it is interestingly reflective of the chart for Mercury stationing direct this week (which I'll get into in a moment): the truth coming out; the importance of remembering; and the hard work it can take to see past propaganda (in this case, religious) and embark on the steep learning curve to long-term healing.

El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico has yet to receive electricity, though the vegetation began regenerating relatively soon after Hurricane Maria stripped its canopy; 2015 photo by Amanda Painter.

In gender-related news: The New York Times wrote this week about a "MeToo" flip-flop: a female (and lesbian) New York University professor has been found responsible by the university for years of sexually harassing a former male grad student (who is gay) while he worked with her on his degree — and many of her feminist colleagues have come to her defense. Is that a reflection of her innocence, or of an unwillingness to see a woman as a perpetrator?

On another end of the gender-news spectrum, Christine Hallquist, a Democrat, has made history in becoming the first openly transgender candidate to be nominated for a governorship by a major party. She'll be running for governor of Vermont this fall, though she'll be battling a popular Republican incumbent.

Yet it's a couple of unfortunate stories from Seattle that really stand out to me. On Aug. 10, 29-year-old Richard Russell, a Horizon Air ground crew employee, commandeered an empty turboprop passenger plane at Seattle's main airport. Despite his lack of pilot's license, he flew the plane in dramatic loops, while in communication with air traffic control, before crashing it into a nearby island.

You can read more about this story here; mainly I mention it because it seems to be an extreme illustration of the ‘disembodied' state Eric has mentioned many times in relation to the effect of the internet. Undoubtedly Russell had a few things going on that led to his actions, and I don't know all of what they are (for example, his mental health); but it appears that he learned to fly from video-game flight simulators. I feel like there's something here relating to Mars retrograde in Aquarius (along with the pressure of eclipses, and perhaps of his Saturn return); if anyone reading has time to check on the position of the asteroid Icarus for the time of his takeoff or crash, I'd be curious.

Finally, there's the story of Tahlequah, the female orca who carried her dead calf around Puget Sound north of Seattle for 17 days. The calf was born July 24 (two days before the Aquarius Full Moon and eclipse) and Tahlequah kept it afloat until Aug. 11, the day of the Leo New Moon and eclipse.

Although marine mammals are known to show grief when their calves die, and although no calves born to the Southern Resident orca group have lived in the last three years, Tahlequah's response was unique for its duration. For many, it is serving as a wakeup call (such as in this poem) to the plight of these orcas, to marine mammals in general, and to the responsibility we humans must shoulder in the face of global warming and the other forms of environmental degradation we contribute to. Others have felt solidarity and empathy for Tahlequah's grief.

For nearly everyone who encountered her unfolding story, it was profoundly affecting. These are the things to notice, even though the very internet that brings them to us can just as easily and immediately distract us from them, and then bury them before we've had a chance to register and name what it means for us.

Which brings me back to Mercury stationing direct in Leo on Sunday. As is often mentioned in Planet Waves, Mercury stationing direct is an important time to watch for a missing puzzle piece, or for info you did not realize you even needed till it appears. (I've personally had this experience within 20 or 30 minutes of Mercury stationing direct once, and it was fascinating.)

Christine Hallquist celebrating her Democratic primary win in Vermont to become the first openly transgender gubernatorial candidate in the U.S. Photo by Charles Krupa.

When Mercury shifts to regular apparent forward motion, it's in an interesting T-square, using only objects with a 1-2 degree orb. First, Mercury is in a conjunction with the asteroid Memoria, which seems an obvious reminder to remember what you've learned during retrograde.

Mercury and Memoria are square the Uranian point Poseidon (enlightenment, illumination, propaganda) and the asteroid Toro (strength, endurance, hard physical work) in Scorpio. They're also square the centaur Pelion (mountain where Chiron was born; steep climb, learning curve, elevated perspective) and the asteroid Lempo (Finnish fertility and fire goddess) in Taurus.

As mentioned above, it can take a lot of work and perseverance to push through a steep learning curve toward healing and illumination; often remembering what you've learned through difficult times makes the difference between those lessons being fertile and just being frustrating. And with Aquarius as the ‘empty' leg of the square, we get a reminder that it's up to us to break up old patterns, make new ones, and to enlist the assistance of our close social networks. As life coach Barbara Sher likes to say, "Isolation is the dream killer." We need accountability to make lasting changes; buddies are often essential to face our fears to do what we love.

It's also worth noting that Mercury is in a harmonious sextile to Venus in Libra, and that Jupiter in Scorpio is in a harmonious trine to Neptune in Pisces. That would seem to add up to some great energy for verbalizing feelings, using your intuition, and letting your idealism and spirit move you to do some good for others.

As long as you take your usual Mercury station precautions over the next few days regarding your digital devices (back them up, plug them in), your car (check your gas gauge, be patient), your attention span (notice when it lapses), and your communications (double-check before you click ‘send', call when in doubt), you should be good to go. Just don't expect to go terribly fast.

Yours & truly,

Amanda Painter New Tarot & Astrology Studio Readings from Eric Francis

Note: We have now provided links to pre-order your Virgo, Libra and Scorpio Astrology Studio and Tarot Studio readings in the list linked below.

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Quick order links:
Astrology Studio: Cancer | Leo | Virgo | Libra | Scorpio
Tarot Studio: Pisces | Aries | Taurus | Gemini | Cancer | Leo | Virgo | Libra | Scorpio

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Dear Friend and Reader:

We are all going through a lot with Mars and Mercury retrograde, and a series of eclipses. And I have some astrology and tarot for you, if you want it. Audio samples are included, so you can get a feeling for the vibe of the reading.

Prior to taking a month or so off, I've completed my backlog of overdue readings. I've done these through the past eight days or so, working very early in the morning, when the world is quiet. I want to get them to you, and I don't want to return to a backlog — I plan to hit the ground running.

The readings are enhanced by the fact that I'm not doing any astrology writing at the moment, so I'm living a human schedule. I've cleared up some space in my mind, and I'm working rested, in a quiet place — perfect for doing this kind of reading.

I've taken the opportunity to redesign my tarot readings, which are now called Tarot Studio. In the future, they will be included with your astrology reading with pre-order only; then the two sessions will be offered separately.

We got this response last week to one of the readings: "Absolutely amazing. Beyond words how pertinent this tarot reading is for my life right now. Even more powerful the second time. So much love and gratitude."

As ever, I think it's amazing that this stuff works at all, though it certainly seems to. I offer these readings in the spirit of helping you make the best decisions you can make.

Thank you for your business, and for trusting me as your astrologer.

With love,

PS — You may access birthday readings for all the signs here. If you're having difficulty ordering on the internet, you may call us at (845) 481-5616. Give us one to two working days to get back to you, and make it easy for us to reach you! It'll probably be sooner. Thank you again for your business.

PPS — We will re-mail this a few times, to make sure we catch everyone. Please check out the audio samples!

Read more...

As Mars continues its retrograde journey amid some profound eclipse events, we wanted to remind you about Eric's 2018 Spring Reading -- the perfect guide to help orient you through this interesting period and beyond. The Sacred Space of Self consists of 12 video readings of 40 minutes or more. Ordering options and links to samples are below.

Mars Retrograde: A Rare Example of Astrology

Dear Friend and Reader:

You might say this is the perfect time for Mars retrograde in Aquarius. The energy patterns that are represented in the collective, archetypal version of this vitally important sign have indeed grown overbearing. We need some change; we need a rearrangement of our personal contracts.

Eric recording the Pisces Spring Reading video.

And most of all, there are many people who deeply need the opportunity to express themselves as individuals rather than as people whose only option is to follow the rules of the game. The whole purpose of growth, of the spiritual path, of self-actualization, is to be able to express yourself, as you are.

To that end, I have prepared a set of readings for you, in video format.

Taking my friendly, positive and clear-headed approach, I work through Mars retrograde for every sign and rising sign. And while I am at it, I cover the many sign changes of outer planets that we are experiencing now, particularly Chiron in Aries, Uranus in Taurus, and several points entering Capricorn at the same time.

The readings are available as a set, or as individual signs. We've prepared some sample videos -- you can see them here.

Read more...

Oh, the Humanity…
By Amanda Painter

Has this been an easy Mercury retrograde for you? A tough one? Are you too wary of jinxing yourself to say one way or the other?

As you likely know, Mercury retrograde phases can often be full of 'teaching moments' if you're willing to slow down and learn the lesson. Once in a while, you may encounter a quirky, funny moment a la Mercury the Trickster. But let's face it: sometimes when this usually fleet planet is doing its version of a moonwalk illusion, things happen that just make you want to throw your hands up in defeat and frustration.

In 2016, Parallel Studio paid homage to such unsatisfying moments with its video "Unsatisfying." In a little more than a minute, it's all there: the pathos of bad timing; the banality of small imperfections; the quiet, everyday heartbreak of 'so close, and yet so far'. And yet it is funny -- because it is oh, so true.
Listen to Vision Quest on Live Stream

Planet Waves has an in-house music ensemble, called Vision Quest. We have a 38-hour loop of our music, which you can listen to any time. Included are finished pieces, rehearsals, live concerts, drum grooves, and spoken word recordings. I consider it a kind of musical divination. Click in randomly at different times of day and see what you discover. Monthly Horoscopes and Publishing Schedule Notes

Your extended monthly horoscopes for August were published on Thursday, Aug. 9. We published your extended monthly horoscopes for July on Thursday, June 21. Please note: we normally publish the extended monthly horoscope on the first Friday after the Sun has entered a new sign. Aries (March 20-April 19) -- Mercury stations direct overnight Saturday, and this event tends to bring with it revelations. What you might discover, regarding your current creative or work-related goals, is a point on which you've been having underlying doubts or where there's been a delay. Grasping this in its full capacity is likely the first step to letting go of any concerns, which should make it easier for you to move forward. Take this one day at a time, however, especially while your ruler Mars is still retrograde. Taurus (April 19-May 20) -- Breaking free of particular constraints or inhibitions can be an involved and sometimes turbulent process. You may notice feelings emerging that you had thought long buried, or which you may not have realized existed at all. Be careful not to judge yourself for your emotions. Rather, consider them a form of illumination, helping you to find a way out of the labyrinth of the past, and into freedom. How you act on what you feel is your choice, and where your power lies. Gemini (May 20-June 21) -- As Mercury turns direct, you might feel anxious to push forward with the next stage of your plans for development. It would, however, be worth taking at least a little time to review how the past few weeks have been for you. There may also still be a discovery or two to come. By this time next week, you'll likely have a good deal more information; at least, enough to organize a coherent schedule that also gives you sufficient space to breathe and relax. Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- You seem to be undergoing a sort of enlightenment process in terms of seeing your true capabilities. Close partners and specific experiences may be helping you recognize certain skills and qualities you possess, though in truth the movement is coming largely from within you, as a result of accumulated knowledge. It should help you commit to valuing yourself justly and generously. Doing this will in turn make it easier to discover the opportunities for abundance available to you, and to embrace them. There are several ways to enjoy your new 2018 Birthday Reading, Leo (though please note: it is now being called the Leo Astrology Studio with Leo Tarot Studio). You can purchase it on its own for $44 (this is all segments of the astrology+tarot, available for instant access). If you have a lot of Cancer in your chart -- or simply want more insight into all three of eclipses we just had -- you can buy Leo+Cancer audio together at a special rate.

Then again, if you missed The Art of Becoming -- the 2018 written annual edition -- you can pick up your Leo birthday audio + Leo written annual for $55. If you're new to Eric's audio readings, you can hear a sample of the Leo Astrology Studio here and a sample of the Leo Tarot Studio here. You're invited to tell us what you think of your readings!
Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) -- The past few weeks may at times have made articulating ordinary phrases seem like trying to recite tongue-twisters. You've perhaps wished to express yourself on a particular point, but felt prevented from doing so for whatever reason. Over the next few days the mists should start to clear; however, don't rush to the mic. Be sure your message is in its most refined form before delivering it. It's likely important enough that you'll want to get the communication right the first time. Virgo Birthdays and Rising 2018-19:
Are You Getting Ready to Shift Gears?

"Mars retrograde in Aquarius, your 6th house, describes you as someone in the role of problem-solver. This looks like some kind of systems administration work, though there's a social dimension -- that of keeping people organized. To do this, you'll need either to break some rules, or to establish new ones."

-- Eric Francis, in The Art of Becoming 2018 annual edition for Virgo

Dear Friend and Reader:

Just how are you doing as a problem-solver, rule-breaker and rule-maker this year? It's possible the current retrogrades of Mars and Mercury (your ruling planet) have slowed your progress some. But both planets are preparing to station direct soon; are you ready to shift gears?

If you'd like access to a fresh, of-the-moment take on how your next 12 months (or more) could shape up, I hope you'll pre-order your 2018 Virgo Astrology Studio with Tarot Studio. This is what Eric used to call your "Birthday Reading," just under a reimagined name.

You'll still get two segments of audio astrology; and if you pre-order the reading before it publishes, you'll automatically receive the tarot reading for your sign or rising sign when it's ready. As always, you can download the audio files and listen as many times as you'd like.

Even though our recent eclipses were not in Virgo, there's still plenty going on that's having an impact on your chart: for example, Uranus in fellow earth-sign Taurus is jazzing up your house of spirituality, long-distance travel and higher education (among other things).

Meanwhile Chiron, in your Aries-ruled 8th house, is bringing your attention to some deep matters that include sex, surrender and money. You can count on Eric having plenty more to tell you about your charts this year.

"Thank you. I've been a fan for a few years and always feel nourished by every reading -- my own and others. This particular reading hit home and felt like a swoop of fresh air pointing me home. Thank you again."

-- Elaine Sonne, on a recent Virgo reading

Eric is sure to cover the most important details of these issues and astrology (and more) in your upcoming Virgo Astrology Studio and Tarot Studio recordings.

His current sabbatical is proving restorative, which means he'll be able to access the best of his decades of astrology and tarot experience, his therapy training and his creativity to encourage and empower you, nudge you with questions and new perspectives, and inspire you to get right to work with what you're learning -- in your relationships, healing process, career, family, community and inner evolution.

Wishing you a happy birthday and an illuminating year,  

Amanda Painter

P.S. If you love someone with a Virgo Sun or Virgo Rising, you can also pre-order the Virgo Astrology Studio with Virgo Tarot Studio as a gift. They'll receive both parts automatically when they're ready. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) -- When there's a lot of focus on the 12th house, the most secret and deepest place in one's chart, what happens may not always be easy to comprehend. Yet this time also plants a seed of potential for inspiration and growth. This, in turn, develops over time and usually blossoms as the activity shifts to the more conscious realm of the 1st house. Your ruler Mercury stationing direct overnight Saturday into Sunday should help you make sense of your recent experiences and unlock their wisdom. Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) -- Etiquette can be a useful guide to navigating social situations (unless you're one of those blessed folk who have a knack for fitting in regardless). The difficulties start when it becomes binding, and thus restrictive -- for example, if it prevents you from asking someone you like out for coffee, seeking a decent pay rise, or traveling somewhere you've always wished to go. As long as you're not actually hurting anyone, you can safely dispense with conventions and unwritten rules. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) -- It's rare for any person not to have some influence over the lives of others: whether as a parent, a boss, or in some other capacity. Even if you don't possess any formal authority, your words and actions still have power that can be used for good or ill; that can help and support those closest to you, or not. Try to choose, this week, to err on the side of kind and generous, and to place trust in people's motives unless you have reason not to. You'll surely feel better for it, and others probably will too. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) -- The word 'idealism' is treated more often than not as a derogatory term, as a way of describing an almost hopeless naivete, rather than an aspirational way of looking at the world. As a Sagittarian, however, you probably recognize that having ideals and trying to live up to them need not necessarily conflict with reality or truth, or even pragmatic thinking. After all, if everyone simply accepted the status quo, nothing would ever change. Be fearless in your beliefs. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) -- You seem to be getting wise to the fact that buried feelings don't stay buried for too long. They will invariably continue to resurface until acknowledged and addressed. Doing this is a function of taking care of yourself, and of refusing to shut down parts of you for the convenience of others, which is another term for living honestly. Don't be afraid to accept the emotions or vulnerabilities within you, and express them without shame; they are a part of us all. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- With Mercury changing direction in your opposite sign and Mars having slipped back into your 12th house, be extra wary of misunderstandings this week, especially in a close relationship. If you feel offended or upset by something that's said (or not said), you would almost certainly be well served to slow down and look for other possible interpretations. Where there is ambiguity, you might give partners the benefit of the doubt, or just ask. At the very least, don't rush into action. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- A love of life, an awareness of some kind of spiritual presence and a sense of purpose all give to our everyday existence a touch of magic. Our world is brightened by the understanding that we're a part of something greater than ourselves. You are naturally close to that concept, though this week sees an opportunity to be exceptionally so. If you've been feeling distanced from your spiritual or ethical leanings, for whatever reason, you'll find a way to bridge the gap and reconnect.