The weekend’s signature event is the Sun-Mercury conjunction in Leo Saturday, and then the workweek begins with this month’s Moon-Pluto occultation in Capricorn. We’ve been tracking the Moon-Pluto events, which began in April and repeat for 19 straight months (here in a subscriber issue, and also on this blog). If you’re curious about what’s slowly working its way up from the depths in your emotional life, check your journal around these dates. The Sun and Mercury may lend your mind a little extra perceptive juice if you do.
As of this writing, the waxing Scorpio Moon is opposite the Black Moon Lilith (a hypothetical point related to the Moon’s orbit) in late Taurus. It may be lending some interesting undertones to your Friday along a sensual, sexual and at times possessive, at other times transformative, axis. Feel around in those shadows for which emotions are actually motivating you, and how deep they reside in the less-accessible (or acceptable) reaches of your feminine side. Is your mother in there somewhere? With the Moon not making any other major aspects before it enters Sagittarius, it’s a good moment to do the spelunking with less chance of emotional backlash.
That clears the way for Sun-Mercury. Effective now, it is exact Saturday at 3:57 pm EDT. Yesterday Len Wallick explored this conjunction’s participation in a grand fire trine, with the advice to add awareness and discipline to our spiritual, imaginative fire. That configuration starts shaping up tonight into Saturday, when the Moon enters Sagittarius just before 1:18 am EDT and makes trine aspects with Uranus in Aries and Sun-Mercury in Leo.
Eric noted the potentially questionable facet of the Sun-Mercury conjunction in today’s subscriber issue, in the context of a horary chart for the Olympic Games. The Trickster may indeed play games with the proceedings — he certainly raspberried Mitt Romney, who’s visiting London. So you may want to keep an eye on your thought processes and conversations, making sure your mouth doesn’t run ahead of your mind.
As a bit of contrast, consider this: the Sun and Mercury were exactly conjunct in 2003 (in Capricorn) on the day then-Governor George Ryan of Illinois commuted the death sentences of every prisoner on or waiting to be sent to death row at that time. He did it despite his belief that the death penalty is sometimes warranted, because he did not believe that it could be fairly administered. Translation: the Sun is a powerful force if you open your mind to let in the light.
More personally, this aspect can spell quick-wittedness, and lends itself to teaching (both in speech and in writing) – especially if you exercise some patience, since Mercury is retrograde. Do little self-checks through the weekend. Is wit taking precedence over substance? Are you actually conveying what you value, or just going for the easy laugh? Are you being self-serving or losing perspective out of nervousness?
All of these are possibilities, but none a foregone conclusion. Let the Sun do its thing. We are at the heart of this Mercury retrograde. Take your mind deep, digging for the gold of what matters to you most, even as you let your imagination shine out to play in the world this weekend. Mercury retrogrades are great for reviewing and planning. When this on ends, we are (blessedly) graced with a three-month period with no inner planet retrogrades. Gather those gold bricks now so you’re ready to pave your path later in August.
Speaking of a breather from inner planet retrogrades: Venus clears its retrograde path – the second ‘echo’ phase – on Tuesday July 31. This means it passes the point where it stationed retrograde May 15. Next week begins opening up some new relationship territory, and presents us with a signpost by which to measure the whole Venus in Rx in Gemini journey. Venus won’t leave Gemini altogether until Aug. 7 — the day before Mercury stations direct. But we get a week of fresh Gemini real estate for a week or so. It’s space to play with your recently integrated inner twin.
I know this question does not relate to the article, but I was looking at my natal chart and realized that Uranus is now sitting exactly where my 1st and 7th house degree (8 degrees) begins. That is where the house begins but I don’t have a planet on that degree. Is this relevant or felt? How would this be interpreted? Any answer would be wonderful, and sorry to branch off.
“Is your mother in there somewhere? ” Ha! I have a wonderful relationship with my mother now, have worked through so much there. But the neurotic mother dynamic continues to play itself out with my female boss, and it’s hitting hard again. Thanks for this wonderful piece, Amanda. A lovely weekend to one and all.
Thanks Amanda, I have my natal Sun and mercury (retrograde) exactly conjunct. So this was helpful for me to understand this aspect. I have this happen where I am formulating my answer after a verbal question, and someone answers without me hearing. Then I answer and everyone laughs at me because they think I was not paying attention. I hate that, esp when my answer is really really good! And because I have it retro, it takes longer for me to arrive an answer that is line with how I truly feel about something, not what others want to hear or expect of me. Then pluto is conjunct my rising sign degree which make people feel uncomfortable when I exact my words and push the truth out like a poison. Some people find me amazingly precise while others don’t want to be around me. Who cares right? La morte mi trovera vivo.
Amanda: Thank you so very much for a thorough, cogent and truly thoughtful synopsis.
“the art studio / healing space indicated by the Leo-Virgo line”
The picture of how my life relates to my 11th house just got clearer. In fact for a long time now the friends who have come into my life have been leading me to realize the link between art and healing. Planetwaves included.