Good Morning World,
Here is a question for the astrologers who are reading. Mercury is retrograde, counseling that we not start any thing new. But we’ve just had a spectacular New Moon in Aries, which is all about beginnings. When it comes down to pragmatic use of astrology, how do you handle this? That is to say, if you have to make a decision, or take action on something, which of these factors do you listen to — or how do you work with both?
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Astrology, in actual practice, is almost always a process of weighing and balancing different factors. Some of them are worldly factors and some involve astrology. The astrology never happens in a vacuum. For example, when someone calls me to time a medical procedure, I will ask questions until I understand how serious the condition really is; how much flexibility do we have? Then there’s the question of how flexible the medical facility is. Then there is the astrology. There are various factors that say red, green or yellow, but they’re not all alike. They don’t all have equal value, and the astrological factors need to be taken in the context of what is happening in the world of the client.
Under the influence of an Aries New Moon there is going to be a drive to begin things, and in many ways it’s a truly strong time to do that. There is a Sun-Jupiter conjunction happening in Aries right now. That is what you would call lucky astrology — particularly with the Sun and Jupiter so well placed in Aries. Plus there are many other points in Aries — such as Mars. All of that argues, or would seem to argue, for blazing ahead. Uranus is there too; that suggests some great ideas.
But Mercury is retrograde. That strongly suggests caution. Mercury retrograde suggests that there are factors that are a bit below the radar. It says slow down and take care of pending business, or old matters, or tying up loose ends from the past. There is the implication that something is going to come out in the wash. Mercury retrograde says mend the sails, be patient, and wait for the tide to turn in your favor.
So there is an apparent contradiction. And astrology is fabulous at dishing those out; astrology clients are even better at it; their lives are often complex at the moment they come in for consulting, and they are facing questions — otherwise they would not bother showing up.
How do you resolve this?
It depends on the issue. I would ask a few questions. How urgent is the beginning now? Will something expire, or will there be repercussions, if things delay past Mercury stationing direct on April 23, or leaving echo phase in mid-May? You have to do an assessment here. One thing for sure about all these planets in Aries is they are saying Leap Forward No Matter What! That’s Aries for you, especially when Mars, Jupiter and Uranus are hanging around. And that may be the way to go. But there also may be good reasons to pause.
For example, if you make a list of everything you don’t know about a situation, that may provide you with reasons to pause and figure those things out. The issue with Mercury retrograde as far as I have seen it in action is not that it puts some kind of jinx on things (though it can really seem to do that sometimes) but that there is missing information, and that information will likely come out around the time of the station direct. So with whatever plans you might move forward, be ready for an X factor to show up as Mercury stations direct. That calls for a bit of Plan B, which is another way of saying flexibility.
One time-honored method of working with Mercury retrograde is to proceed knowing that your plans will be reassessed. Make room for that; keep an open mind. If you are signing something that is irrevocable, such as if you’re going through a mortgage closing and you cannot delay, then keep an eye out for things that you might miss. Put extra eyes on the contract. Make sure you read the thing. Work out any problems or differences with actual conversation or correspondence — better yet, proceed in a way that allows you to document everything, so doing things in writing is better. Get commitments in writing. Make sure everyone understands what is happening. More to the point, make sure you understand.
Well, this Merc Rx is a very active one in my 4th house. I’ve been looking to move for a year now, have been delayed twice in the process. Finally, on the 30th itself, I decided to rent a 3 bedroom condo and contacted the owner. We met last Sunday, and I signed a provisional agreement and gave him half of the deposit.
The place is nothing special, but it backs onto a greenbelt/floodplain that can’t be developed. I took a walk that Friday just before the Rx, and met two very powerful elementals. They will have to be calmed down a bit, but I think they’re up for a relationship (I can’t take that for granted though, as humans have a deservedly crappy reputation among real earthlings).
Anyway, the landlord is a curious guy, a bit abrupt, builds multimillion dollar houses in San Antonio. Everyone in Texas thinks that Austinites are a little ~~~~ and he is no exception. I have some kind of odd internal connection with him, but I’m still a little shaky about all of this. It’s a big move, for reasons I will go into another time, and on 3/29 I had resigned myself to waiting till June. But it was time (past time, really) for me to go, and the word ‘Wait’ was simply losing all effect. Reading BK’s “Phil Sedgwick says that the day Mercury conjuncts the Sun during the retro period is a safety zone where you can, if you must, sign binding agreements.” I’ll try to test that out, though the Sun/Merc combust happens on Saturday, and we’re supposed to meet on Sunday. Both days the moon is in Cancer so I might be able to do something with that.
Here’s a little bit I filched from Radu Mosiou’s Astrology Weekly: “The probabilities are that the effect of the combust condition is to combine the planet’s influence more closely with that of the Sun, until it is no longer a physical emotion capable of independent control, but an integral part of that consciousness of Destiny that the Sun imparts. Thus Mercury combust imparts to the mind a capacity for concentration upon what it deems its own destiny, but robs it of its receptivity to distracting or diverting influences. “
Seems plausible…
Hey Carrie,
those issues are tough. been through some of those.
sending you love & some white egrets your way…..
peace.
So far, this Merc Rx has had me dealing with things not computer-related (yee-haa!). It HAS had me dealing with a person (my Dad) I had to deal with in 2006 (but I ended up not having to deal with him for long as other arrangements surfaced). This brought up a LOT of past feelings, baggage, hurts and extreme ups and downs of emotions. All that started in the Merc Shadow phase. As Merc went Rx, things heated up in a small power struggle with a step-brother; he took the money offered and dropped out leaving me dealing with a LOT of messy paperwork and financial stuff (someone else’s, not mine but that fits as I have Aries in my 8th house of other people’s money). Things have calmed down a bit but now it is a continuation of health care issues (my dad’s) and moving him and having him in my life again (maybe more than I want him and certainly more than my kids want him who neglected them their entire lives for his wife). My dad is religious (Pentecostal Christian religious) and he thinks I am still Christian…I have not disabused him of that because I don’t wish to upset him (he is 80 and his health is fragile) or his mother (she is 96 and an even more strict believer than he).
He is being released from rehab on the 11th but he is a bad fall risk and may injure himself; he has fallen a lot in the past few years and had congestive heart failure this past month. I may not be able to prevent his release this time so he may fall again and be worse off. He wants to move to Cottonwood (he cannot be in Flagstaff with me due to high altitude with his CHF and the cold) but it is getting him there with my full-time online class schedule and my husband’s teaching schedule that is an issue. He thinks he can still drive and do what he was doing before this latest fall, CHF, death of his wife, and abandonment by his step-son whom he had put all his faith in.
The situation was that my dad’s second wife had convinced him to put HER as his beneficiary and she had put her son as her beneficiary. My dad had also put her son as his executor and trustee AND power of attorney as well on all his checking accounts and he (Dad) was on my Grandmother’s bank account which made her son also over my Grandmother’s home (she had put the property in my dad’s and his wife’s name) which she has lived on for 86 years and possibly her bank. The magnitude of that betrayal (of me and my brothers) was enormous and his mother (my Grandmother) was so upset over finding that out that she changed everything to my name and when the step-son dropped out, my Dad did the same. Now I am on his bank accounts, I am his trustee, his POA and health care POA, his executor, his sole heir, my name is on my Grandmother’s property, I am named her executor and sole heir. The enormity of all this has me devastated. First by the betrayal and then by their dumping all that on me. I don’t believe I will inherit anything because I plan to use their assets to see that both are well cared for as they continue to age. The will, Trust, POA and HPOA were all signed BEFORE Merc Rx but my Grandmothers’ changes may not have been signed before. The transfer of assets to different bank accounts (to facilitate his move to AZ and to prevent the step-son access) happened AFTER Merc Rx.
Can you say Mercury Rx mess? I feel like I am living a weird dream that I am not certain I am happy about. Imagine my horror at finding out I was not as happy to finally have my Dad to myself as I thought I would be. He cannot live with me; it would upset the kids (who have all been showing signs of stress over this mess).
Unlike some in my family (my Mom and younger brother) I see this as THEIR money, not mine and I have no designs or plans for it except those which they (my Dad and Grandmother) specify. This is definitely 8th house money and I won’t mess with that. My Dad has paid for my travel and hotel expenses only because I could NOT afford to pay them myself. My husband and I have been to Las Vegas and back four times in four weeks. I have car-lag, my classes have suffered a bit, I am tired a lot and unable to think clearly at times (because of emotions and tiredness and the tons of things I have had to deal with).
What an ordeal. That’s how this Merc Rx is panning out for me.
Navigating an Aries New Moon during a Mercury retrograde feels like a great opportunity to operate my animal half, listening with every cell in my body and going with instincts. It is, as they say, a new world.
mm.
I’m actually feeling grateful for this particular Mercury Rx. Going back over territory to get a clearer understanding of it. A bit of extra time, however intense, is mightily welcomed.
The writing on this topic (and others) here has most definitely helped keep a steadier course. Hairpin turns have popped out ah… good results. But I feel like I’m getting a better look at the topography now. Less head slams into suddenly appearing objects. Maybe less palm & knee scrapes. I think I’m even humming a little, a gentle melody to accompany the questions.
(Watching tons of documentaries and running into the most interesting conversations. Lots of listening.)
And I spray as many good vibes as I can around me.
New Moon in Aries, Mercury rx has me wrapping up a lot (LOT) of loose ends, Particularly with my financials; it also has me slowly putting together the next step for a small business venture that was initiated last November, These beginnings are more like beginnings of a new cycle, these endings are “just for now.’ (Paperwork never goes away.) It is the Energy to do all this that I am enjoying–the flow of the energy is just Flowing. There is flow, there is power. Feels Good to me.
Word: shamanic travel is initiated by going through a tunnel or cave down to the “underground” world. There you can find your power animal or totem animals, if you are looking for them, or if they are looking for you. It is what is called by Aussie aboriginals Dreamtime (and can be traveled to in waking meditation), and is very real. There is usually a river there, and a meadow or forest or all and more, if that is where you need to go. Rivers carry the waters of life, in a direction; there is purpose or direction with them. And always healing. The waters of life are always healing. The stewards of the Dreamtime have been doing a much better job than we stewards of our Earth Mother so far. Let’s see what we can put together with their help.
Thanks for sharing.
BR
I have mercury retrograde natally, and as an Aries w Aquarius rising my little antennaes have been vibrating wildly for some time now. I like mercury retrograde. It makes me learn to live in human time instead of digital time….
Thanks Eric – also greatly appreciated the latest Chiron Files report. Especially appreciate your advice and insights as this patricular Mercury retrograde is at what feels like a seminal time in history – as though we’re balanced on a knife-edge, and the stakes are incredibly high. I wouldn’t want to be going through this time without some very solid hand-holding. Personally I feel like I’m at a point of no return – I cannot go back now. But I also feel that it’s a good time to check the kit-bag, make sure I’m fit, and make sure I’m fortified and ready for the next phase. It’s feels like time for a rest, a time to deal with those irritating (but necessary) things that got neglected during the rapid-growth process I feel like I’ve just gone through – a time to “potter” and let things flow of their own accord.
Anyway, words are blessedly few at this time, and being of a naturally introspective nature, I’ll be making the most of this opportunity to be quiet.
Cheers,
Indrani
(Jupiter/NN/Neptune conj in SCORPIO meant to type)
Merc Rx has taught me to consider my jump-starts whether they be under the Rx or not. Rx seems to give more room for that process without as much stress as other times.
Since it feels like “all systems are GO” now – yet really they are still only shifting into place, I am far more relaxed than in past moments of life – this moment is a reflection of that newly-learned-and-constantly-working-at-learning- to relax, breathe, BE.
And a new chapter/series of Underground River dreams have begun since the Rx….I have had these since I was very young. I remember many, not all. Can’t find much online re: significance of the River being Underground but that’s where my flowing dream water always is (Jupiter/NN/Neptune conjunction?) – but these “current” (haha get it ‘current’) versions are at least reassuring if not (yet) (profoundly) informative.
At least I am out of the phase of dreaming about making my way through other people’s yards and porches and living rooms; struggling heavy from yard to yard not even trying to get to my own, just moving through it. Those kinds of dreams are so Heavy.
Water Dreams are not Heavy. Mercury might usually be, but despite dark water, these underground rivers are Light(weight) and Flowing. They seem to have a feeling of big open opportunity even though they are underground, in the dark and narrow river, not body of water….I’m getting dreamy thinking of them…..lalalala….must be Neptune sprinkled with a little Venus…..
xo!
Thanks for the insight Eric!
Very timely questions posed by Eric , and insightful responses all the way around. Kudos, Wavers.
Both questions and answers are especially relevant to me today as I feel the undeniable pull of the Sun/Jupiter/New Moon in Aries activity, which manifests for me as a strengthened impulse to launch a long-delayed blog/site focusing on a variety of interests.
Like many I’m sensitive to the appearance of Merc retro through the year’s course. But for some reason this current cycle feels less daunting. As I commented recently on Eric’s Facebook posting regarding this retrograde, “I’m ready.” That’s a fairly untypical response to MR over my years deepening into astrological understanding. Yet it feels grounded in something deeper than the usual reactions to this passage. Intriguing. The archetypal realm evolves in ways that the old scripts couldn’t or didn’t predict–wouldn’t that allow for changes in the relationship we have with MR too?
In my case, the creative effort envisioned isn’t technically a contract; its an experiment in community and communication–one not only open to revision, but dependent on it. And, while I can see value in doing further research into the more practical concerns of crafting a digital platform intended to draw an audience, it seems to me that the overall message in the energetic mix right now is to trust my feelings, and move forward rather than waiting. After all, many times I’ve seen good ideas dissipate into the ethers because I waited for everything to be in place first.
Here’s some of the comments that stand out for me among the whole fine mix:
Shamika: “For me it draws me back to the basics of plain old responability(sic) for self and choice. Simple and wonderful. Peace”
Jere: “I think this particular Merc. rx. is prompting us to proceed, with all wits on board and a good dose of mental calisthenics.”
wandering_yeti: “Maybe the thing you remembered helps to start something new, but with an element that’s recovered from the past.”
eco11: “But yes to art, to love, to gentle acts of kindness, to the return of art and the allowing of deep dreams to emerge again from the dark places where they did not die, but only endured while we lived injured, and waiting for us to heal enough.”
Gracias, everybuddies…
wandering_yeti said:
“But when it’s in Aries it’s remembering something you forgot and it’s the old that’s new again. Maybe the thing you remembered helps to start something new, but with an element that’s recovered from the past.”
This feels right-on to me too.
Also, immediately on reading this post today, I knew, for me at least, that yesterday’s informs it and strongly and wisely. I love what you said about art.
Some things, things that would have replaced old things, may not need to happen after all. Were we so discouraged that we were about to give up a dream, about to start on that more tried -and-true path? Hold that thought.
But when the deep dream resurfaces, embrace it.
Chiron and Mars and Uranus in new configurations: it finally feels like a party where there won’t be a just a drunk or a fight or misunderstanding. Chiron feels amazing. Like, instead of being the “wounded healer,” it is just being itself. (God, we were wondering when it would stop whining! But of course, the only way through is through.) Uranus feels more of a wise-comedian or the “life” of the party than its often bad-boy reputation where everyone is ducking cause it could come in hauling a wrecking ball with a mad grin on its face. The planets are ready to play ball.
I love how Aries is feeling right now and Pisces. So different. So truer balanced.
And Neptune… it is like falling into love. I could not stop looking at the picture and the color of Neptune you posted yesterday.
I haven’t felt this good about the energies in a very, very, very long time.
And so, as I have also been scared out of my wits by nuclear disasters, and intense grief stricken by the lost peoples of Japan and of mother earth, and beyond knowing how to understand the testosterone (test-test-err-one) driven North Africa and the middle east,
I have also been feeling this sense of beauty rising. She is also on the scene.
We are living in changing times.
How I see this question of acting now:
Not on war. Not on dream-abandoning changes.
Careful on contracts. Hold your vote for old same-ol-same-ol.
But yes to art, to love, to gentle acts of kindness, to the return of art and the allowing of deep dreams to emerge again from the dark places where they did not die, but only endured while we lived injured, and waiting for us to heal enough.
Water can cleanse us and lift us back up restored. Or it can drown us. I’m afraid there is no escape from weeping over what is gone. But I sense that what is coming is so beautiful, it will nourish us long.
Hi Eric,
I think you have summed up the “Mercury rx during Aries season” and that Jere and Shamika have provided wise/experienced/common sense advice too. The various situations combined with the variety of people having to make a decision to “begin” something new makes it impossible to always follow a hard and fast rule. What if they had been planning “it” for some time before the retrograde? Then the process would be in the mid part of the plan and not so much subject to the danger of a Mercury retrograde.
In fact, I would think that the hard-to-resist impulsiveness of Jupiter, Sun, et al in Aries would demand a Mercury retrograde re-examinination, especially now with Saturn in Libra. I’ve never tried it but Phil Sedgwick says that the day Mercury conjuncts the Sun during the retro period is a safety zone where you can, if you must, sign binding agreements. Has anyone ever tried that?
be
This is a Jerry/Bob piece I think has implications to the astrology. There’s a balance between the energies.. a tragedy na-na-narrowly averted. 😉 Enjoy. (And Dave’s lookin’ young there!)
Jere
Jupiter, Sun, Mars, Uranus keep doing what they do as Mercury brings information from the future to enhance their practices. Sure there’s a lot of stuff in Aries, but Saturn and Venus are both hanging out in their exaltations: cooling system. Head brain isn’t the only brain in the body anyway. Return to Dan Tian. Mercury retrograde is never the only thing going on. Microscopes and telescopes hack things up and the Modern trance can’t think outside its head so Mercury looks much bigger than it really is kinda like Greenland in the flatland maps of Earth. Return to Dan Tian. It’s never retrograde. In Bagua we walk both directions and changing direction too, the root stays firm. So what if a planet goes backwards in the sky? The old astrologers were scared of widdershins and eclipses so of course they’d say don’t start anything new when Mercury is retro. But when it’s in Aries it’s remembering something you forgot and it’s the old that’s new again. Maybe the thing you remembered helps to start something new, but with an element that’s recovered from the past. Return to Dan Tian. Then you’re solid no matter which direction you’re going.
ps, the lime is just a sprinkled layer not loads
When I feel Merc. rx. I think about thinking my ideas one step at a time, from a to z. There’s always that sense of way to much to do, and a bewilderment of where to begin, in my reality (my thoughts are way too big, I could get lost on t when I haven’t even stepped into c). With that said, I think this particular Merc. rx. is prompting us to proceed, with all wits on board and a good dose of mental calisthenics. The Aries energy is pulling like a freight train, Merc is there to say “Hey, this is new territory, we’re on the trip whether we want it or not, let’s consider our options carefully.. the implications are too far reaching not too.”
I think Merc is actually the mature, sober voice of reason in this particular setup. I’ll have to bake more on this quandary to see if I can’t flesh it out.
Thanks for the two-pence,
Jere
I’m not an astrologer but the question to me seems almost standard in a way. I mean isn’t that the way to conduct ones life anyway. From my perspective all decisions carry the same potentials for disater or “getting caught out there” as the saying goes. Perhaps what the astology is saying is more like a refresher course in the ways we should already be approching the handling of our experiences, and not so much as “showing something new or different”. For me it draws me back to the basics of plain old responability for self and choice. Simple and wonderful. Peace.
Love ~
Eric I’m a bit behind these days – but really appreciated the audio a week ago and Len’s post yesterday. lots in between but those two ‘specially. And Jude’s DL piece. And the humour. Loads of humour in these comments the last week or so.
Jere in case of interest for your farming idea. No animal deaths with this biodynamique mix – uses one drop of honey per bottle. I think it might probly help the earth to heal herself in any circumstance…
Making a compost heap
Last summer I discovered Maye Bruce’s Commonsense Composting book, so the following is taken from her. You can find the text on line: http://journeytoforever.org/farm_library/QR/QR1.html
In making a compost heap don’t exceed 10cm of depth for any layer and alternate the layers as much as possible if you can between green and dry, soft and twiggy. Don’t have any stalks you can’t cut with secateurs, and those cut into 30cm lengths. From time to time add a layer of earth, and manure if you can, and twice in the heap powder a layer with lime (chaux). Top off the heap with a 10cm layer of soil.
If you use straw, soak it overnight in water or purin (nettle, comfrey, horsetail, seaweed, or urine diluted 1:25 with water).
When the heap is finished, take a stick or metal rod and make 5 holes (like on a dice) in the heap, making sure you don’t quite touch bottom and then tip your dynamising solution in the holes. Fill up the holes with earth, cover the heap with sacks (or carpet), weight the sacks if you can, and cover everything with a roof so the rain can run off and it is protected from too much sun etc. In spring the compost may be ready to use as early as in 4 weeks, in summer 8 weeks and in autumn 12 weeks. It keeps indefinitely.
Dynamic composting recipe
Yarrow
Nettle
Chamomile Matricaire
Valerian
Oak bark
Dandelion
Seaweed
Honey
The most important ingredients are Yarrow (balances the end result), Nettle (enriches the quality) and honey (dynamising element).
Gather and dry the plants until they are brittle. Grind each one to a powder and store in a jar. Mix the same volume together ie a serving spoon of each, and keep in an airtight jar. To use, add enough of this powder to cover an American cent (I use my thumbnail) to a pint of rain or spring water with a drop of honey, shake and leave 24 hours before shaking again. (Shake again before use if not used immediately). Use as directed.
Keeps up to 3 weeks. Delicious to drink (I don’t use the oak bark I didn’t know if it is good to drink). Best not to drink for more than 15 days without the same amount of days rest. Valerian is very strong and it’s not advised to drink it for more than 2 weeks at a time.
Good morning to you, e!