Hello Cousins,
This week’s audio covers Mercury stationing retrograde in Virgo. We are now in the Mercury storm phase — with the little planet closest to the Sun moving at its slowest, about to turn around and give us the illusion of moving backwards for 22 days. This time near the station — a few days before and after can be challenging, confusing days, when it’s possible for a lot of things to go wrong that don’t need to go wrong. So do your best to keep your focus, harness the winds of change in a productive way.
I also cover the conjunction of Venus and Mars in Libra (that carries through to Scorpio, where Venus goes retrograde in October), and I look at the Sun opposing Neptune and Chiron this week before it ingresses Virgo over the weekend.
Assisting me with a programming project for the Mercury retrograde audio report, Tracy Delaney @Serennu created this mini-ephemeris that looks at Mercury aspects from late July through early October, while Mercury is in Virgo. Mercury’s aspects to many minor planets and points in Sagittarius helps explain why this retrograde is so psychologically hot, as in intense, as in a bit overwhelming — with breakthroughs.
Check in later in the day — we will have Sarah Taylor’s latest essay on how to read tarot cards, and some other good stuff later on. We’re keeping busy, for sure.
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Thanks and — comments/questions on the audio are welcome.
If there were ever a time to practice compassion towards your sisters and brothers, it sounds, from this podcast, that this weekend would be it.
.. which is not to say that we shouldnt practice compassion every moment… but alas, we are humans evolving…
and extra heavenly dose of xoxo to my mutable cousins out there….
Here’s my mercury shadow moment: I looked at your name, Eric Francis, on the FB announcement and I thought “Oh Fuck! I have been spelling his name wrong since May!!” I dont know if have or not, but now, at least I am aware.
Great Podcast Mr. Frances, it is sweet to hear your laughter…. (looking forward to seeing Chelsea’s drawings)
Hey Len, thanks, and yes that does indeed resonate precisely. Finding your values in the dark….. and on the fly!
And I love continua and Mobeus strips……. and it seems these cosmic forces are operating now to stimulate the levels where those lovely ideas have not yet fully penetrated the viscera. Or something. I mean, I can think continuum till the cows turn blue, but that place inside has its own timing for resolving its argument, seems like.
😉
Eric and Tracy: Thank you for the wonderful gift of the customized Mercury itinerary. As informative and it is, it is even more interesting to contemplate the template that determined how the content selected and presented. An insight into two great minds!
Kyla,
Love reading your comments. You seem to be asking the right questions. The general answer goes back to 2008 when Pluto first moved into Capricorn – get to the point where you can find your own, personal values in the dark because you will need to. Does that resonate? Also, in addressing the polarity issues, may i suggest that you think in terms of a continuum rather either/or?
Okay, another version of the same thing: when is it best to surrender to the flow of events unfolding, and when is it best to take direct action of some kind? And what might the alchemical precipitate of those two opposites look like? Clearly, none of these questions has an “answer” but it is the nature of this location, this edge, that is so inflamed right now…. in my world at any rate.
Eric, thanks for the rockin’ audio. May you find many more occasions to “sleep in”.
Comment on the Mars/Venus conjunction thingoo, regarding the sense of masculine/feminine competitive tension: As I heard that, what rang the bell for me was not so much any such manifestation in an actual outward male/female relationship but rather the awareness of that inner configuration in my own character, as a struggle of deepening I have been undergoing is along that very edge, or could easily be described so. And I believe I can perceive that same dynamic in some other folks I interact with. To do with the question: when is it most effective and most appropriate and most aligned to simply hold space in loving neutrality toward a conflictual situation, and when is it necessary or rightful or even appropriate to take an active stance of opposition or resistance or the like?
That sounds really abstract, saying it that way — trying to give the character of it across the board makes it kind of bloodless, but this is wrenching at times! And having that frame for it is extremely helpful indeed. Looking for the alchemical result, the third, the different expression that is the child of those opposites, being the container in which that alchemy occurs, outwardly does not look like much happening but boy howdy, it is a pressure cooker all right!