Uranus reverses its Aries advance tomorrow morning shortly before 6 am EDT. Mercury turns back on its Leo course just after 10 pm EDT Saturday night. For Mercury and Uranus to initiate their respective retrograde periods at nearly the same time is an unusual event. Unusual events in astrology frequently correspond to exceptional times in the world. In this case, you may soon expect to find yourself part of an extraordinary and unanticipated correspondence as the direction and nature of your daily routine takes a sudden and unexpected turn into the course of history.
In the words of Robert Hand, “Mercury is the everyday routine, in that it signifies the nature of your casual exchange with the world around you.” Mercury retrograde periods get your attention precisely because they disrupt your routine. Disruption, on the other hand, is routine for Uranus.
The unanticipated discovery of Uranus in 1781 was the essence of disruption. Taking place between the unprecedented events that were the American and French revolutions, the observation and identification of Uranus as a planet initiated a new period in history which, even now, challenges human beings to catch up to the fact that routine is gone forever. The Uranus retrograde station tomorrow symbolically continues the process of pressing us into yet further change by setting up the next of a series of square aspects with Pluto.
Earlier this year, Eric called Uranus square Pluto “The defining aspect of our era in history.” It is the single phenomenon behind all of our current astrology and its interpretation. It is the dominant symbolic presence which connects all current events, both public and personal.
Uranus square Pluto is all the more remarkable in that the aspect will be exact a total of seven times over three years. The first such exact square was on June 24 when Uranus was in direct motion and Pluto was retrograde. The Uranus retrograde station tomorrow represents the beginning of the second square in the sequence as Uranus goes back to take another pass in September. The fact that Mercury’s apparent motion is reversing concurrently with that of Uranus clearly indicates that the immense magnitude of our era in history will ultimately derive from the minutiae of our lives.
Many astrologers consider the energy signature of Uranus to be the higher octave of Mercury. If that is true, then the history being made now is the result of every life of every being now on Earth. Gone with the ages before the discovery of Uranus are the times when only the powerful determined posterity. The essence of the period that started with the discovery of Uranus is that individuals play a part in making history, whether we acknowledge it or not.
The intrinsic theme of our era in history is the personal and political urgency of coming to that acknowledgement. The necessity of the epoch when Uranus and Pluto will dance back and forth into a series of seven exact squares is, for each and all of us, to take personal responsibility for the tacit recognition that each and all of us, without exception, create history through our action, or lack of it. In other words, the certain and inevitable disruption implied by this concurrency of Mercury and Uranus retrograde stations is nothing less than the cosmos asking us to wake up from routine, step up to reality, and human-up to the plain fact that the future is ours to create right now.
It is an unusually long, slow retrograde period that Mercury enters this weekend. That will give us plenty of time to contemplate our position. By failing to immediately embrace the disruptive awakening the discovery of Uranus entailed, we are now being compelled to achieve centuries of social evolution in a handful of years if we are to be at all. We are what history has come to, and it comes down to us to decide if there will be any more. With everything you do, you will play a part in that decision. We must each choose our every action with that in mind.
Offered In Service
Len is available for astrology readings. You can contact him at lenwallick [at] gmail [dot] com.
Lunesoliel,
You have a feeling about the Hermes-Mercury transits as, I take it, they are conjunct again. This was happening also earlier in March at the time of the Equinox (March 20) when Mercury was retrograde at 2 Aries 57 and Hermes was at 2 Aries 54. I had this feeling that with Hermes moving “forward” (with the Sun) he was “holding a place” for Mercury to return to, but first Mercury had to go back to the 0 Aries Point. My gut (or whatever) was telling me that Mercury was keeping the Aries Point active in order to enable the “personal is political” energy to continue during the time the Equinox power was effective, or through the Spring and into the Summer. That was just a feeling and probably there was a lot more to it then just that. I will look into the book you mentioned that was co-authored by Liz Greene as I respect her work a lot. I will also keep an eye on Hermes too now that you have brought him to our attention. Thank you for sharing.
be
No need to hide. This is not Troy. Having retrograde Mercury transit your natal Venus in Leo is possibly very hot for your personal life. Having the asteroid Achilles transit your natal Venus in Leo is probably a litmus test – how confident are you socially right now?
Len: Your words are soothing balm. I was not so excited about the thought of hiding in a closed space in the heat wave here.
As a sun, mercury conjunct in Virgo, with the moon along as well (11th house), I thought “oh oh”. Hurray to a hot personal life!
As for my social confidence:
A short answer to the question I have been pondering since I read your wisdom: A kernal of me remains shy but I continue learning to dance outside of it, my curiosity and heart bridging the gap between the personality me and the internal one. I guess I will watch this interaction more closely for this time period, knowing that there is some jewel lodged in my heel.
Thanks Len! You are a gift to us all.
I made a discovery Len, I don’t know if you are on Facebook? my thinking is as article that I sent in the Planet Wave group. My previous thinking I had integrated no asteroids and now I started to read the book Tarot Mythique de Juliet Sharman Burke and Liz Greene and reading thinking about Hermes, I have the idea to look on the serennu and I see Hermes in conjunction mercury, amazing….
Yes, thanks so much, Len! And for your wonderful blog, too.
Thank you Len for the precious insights. I feel comforted.
Hugging Scorpio: You are welcome and hope you feel better soon.
paola: Saturn transiting the Republic’s natal 12th house Scorpio Moon does have the feel of something not fun, like austerity. It’s not all bad news. Pluto applying to transit natal Pallas is potentially good news. Vesta in the 4th house is absolutely beautiful.
mystes: Thank you, it is a stirring sidebar. Just think about how terrifying, how horrible it must have been to witness. It would not have taken an arrow to topple me, sheer fear would have taken my legs away.
Lunesoleil: It is always an honor to have you visit. i like your perspective on the retrograde aspects.
artshopluc: No need to hide. This is not Troy. Having retrograde Mercury transit your natal Venus in Leo is possibly very hot for your personal life. Having the asteroid Achilles transit your natal Venus in Leo is probably a litmus test – how confident are you socially right now?
By the way, the asteroid Achilles (9+ Leo right now) will be swept by retro Mercury.
Alarms went off when I read this as my natal Venus (Libra ascendent) is at 9+. Any thoughts, anyone? Should I be hiding? I turn myself to greater minds than mine and thank you, in advance.
Hey Mr. Scorpio, hope you get to feeling better soon!
Len… [sidebar]
In Quintius’ version, Paris is nowhere near Achilles, but Phoebus (who is never called Apollo here) is the god to strikes him down. The scene is really quite stirring:
“Achilles pursued the Trojans and kept killing them right up to the city, because terror possessed the people. He would have kiled them all; he would have pulled the gates from their hinges and thrust them to the ground, or he would have dashed against them and shattered their bars and made a way for the Greeks into Priam’s city and sacked the rich town, except that Phoebus’ pitiless heart was filled with rage when he saw the vast throngs of heroes being killed. He came down quickly from Olympus like a wild beast. He had his quiver on his shoulder and his arrows whose wounds are beyond cure. He stood opposite Achilles and raging fire blazed from his eyes and the earth stirred beneath his feet.”
From that point Phoebus issues a cease-and-desist order, and Achilles tells him to sod off.
“Clothing himself in mist, he shot a loathsome arrow, and the swift missile struck Achilles in the ankle. He fell like a tower which the force of a typhoon scatters over the land, so the fine frame of Achilles fell to earth.”
Prometheus (and really, every other god on Olympus) figures heavily into this version, written and sung by a poet who could *see* — which changes the tone of the epic considerably.
[Sidebar out.]
Hi Len, and Be,
the heat and a mosquito woke me up, so here I am reading your comment. Maybe it’s the hour, but it doesn’t seem too encouraging…
Saturn will transit over the Moon in 12th house in a few months, does not seem such a fun thing also. Am I wrong?
Thank you so much. It’s weird to look at a country birthchart.
Thanks Len for a great informative read and a heads up!
On a personal note, Mars is kicking my butt like a mofo as its passing over 5 degrees and hitting my natal Venus/Cap, Saturn/Cancer, Pluto/Libra. I’m just getting over my little flu though thanks to my lovely Taurus mom’s witches brew soup made for Gods but good enough for a man, and her gift of a truck sized watermelon “packed with vitamin C!”, she said. And then we sat and watched music doc’s. Must be that Taurus moon…
And it’s my vacation! Oy, the only disruption I really want now is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj6Vg5Mirg4
😉
mystes: by the way, yes, Mercury stations direct on August 8. Thank you for your question. Sorry i missed it the first two times. Kind of running around multi-tasking right now.
aword: Thank you for your kind words.
mystes: still have not looked that up, but i keep thinking Apollo was the nemesis who guided the arrow loosed by Paris. Prometheus just does not sound right but i will double-check. Thank you for your question.
be: You and i are using the same natal chart for the Italian Republic, just focusing on different things. Thank you for your attention to the other, very important, details.
Hi Len and all,
Thanks for the info on the Mercury retrograde types and for ‘splainin’ Mercury’s duality as in ‘during and following’ a retro spin. Your water conspiracy theory is bothering me almost as much as Chiron’s trine to the Scorpio three though. Especially since he is conjunct the U.S. natal Sibly chart’s Nessus – Ceres conjunction in Pisces right now. This as Jupiter prepares to conjunct the U.S. Uranus in Gemini that squares that U.S. Nessus-Ceres; sounds like bad news for food-lovers in this country. (But I take comfort in Sarah’s words and philosophy!)
Charle, this isn’t cardinal “stuff” but tomorrow, Friday the 13th, the Moon will be farthest from the Earth (called “apogee”) in it’s cycle, and it will be trine (easy going) your Sun in Virgo. This promises a sense of calm if not downright listlessness. As they say, it’s time to chill out. I promise if you stick around I will let you know as soon as possible if you will need to buckle your seatbelt. As to the other family relationship, I didn’t mean your family, at least not directly, I meant Chiron’s family; his wife and daughter. So sorry I wasn’t clear. Remember, we are all in this together. As for having the strength to take on challenges, you are way ahead of me dearheart. I’m impressed with your taking on ‘big business’ and winning! You go girl.
paola and len, there’s even another chart for Italy I printed out from http://astrotabletalk.blogspot.com/ which was included in an article published this past February. It is dated June 10, 1946 (18:10 CEDT – 2.00), Rome, Italy. Would you believe a Gemini Sun-Uranus conjunction, a Cancer Saturn-Venus conjunction, a Chiron-Jupiter conjunction in Libra and A Moon in Scorpio – square Pluto in Leo and trine Mercury in Cancer? Don’t know what the specific event was (after World War II) that this represents, but they sure picked a doozie!
be
mystes: You have me stumped regarding concordance with Homer, memory does not serve at the moment. Perhaps another reader (Alex?) can help while i look that up.
By the way, the asteroid Achilles (9+ Leo right now) will be swept by retro Mercury.
Love your interpretation of Mercury retro through fire. Any port in a (Mercury) storm?
Hey Len, funny you should mention Achilles… I am reading Quintius’ “War of Troy,” the other (beside Pliny?) version of the Iliad. Achilles is killed by Prometheus in that one. Remind me, is that his nemesis in the Homeric hymn?
I’m thinkin’ this Merc/Uranus Rx in fire signs may be manifesting our “cooler” summer here in Texas. Last year at this time we had already suffered weeks of 105-110 temps (40-43 C.). This year is hot –no doubt Sherman would still rent out Texas and live in Hell– but rainy as well. Too bad we can’t figure out how to market mosquitos.
Once Merc goes direct (early August, right?), we might see the de/confirmation of that hypothesis.
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Len….cheers bud
paola: Thank you for the Italian Republic chart, but i re-cast the chart using the Koch house system favored on this site. The transiting Uranus-Pluto square is working from the 5th (transiting Uranus) to second (transiting Pluto) house, which explains both the economy and the national soccer team. With the Scorpio ascendant, the chart rulers (Mars and Pluto) are in the 9th house. The Republic’s natal Pluto will be transited by this upcoming Mercury retrograde – expect intense negotiations with other nations, especially because the transiting Sun just abandoned the 8th house. The nodal axis is Cancer-to-Capricorn, also on the 2nd-8th house axis. Natal Vesta is in the 4th house, the apple does not fall far from the tree. With the Moon in the 12th house and Mars on the mid heaven (but out of sign), people like Berlusconi are always going to have an appeal, so don’t count him out. Natal Sun’s conjunction with Natal Uranus took a transit from our most recent lunar eclipse, suggesting some persistent instability. Good news (i think) in a couple years, transiting Pluto will conjoin natal Pallas in the second house (still squared by Uranus at that time, of course). Please, how did that work for you?
Len, this is indeed heady stuff. Thank you, as always, for your guidance.
charle,
I’m so glad you have joined us here at PW! Thank you for your comments and questions – without them, I would not have grown and learned as I did from them.
xo
charle: you are not intruding. You are welcome here.
Hiuuu… (breath of relief).
It’s hugely unlikely that he ever attracts the youth vote.
Thank you Len!
Thank you for your greeting, Len –
I just realized I have been intruding here, and I apologize for being “off topic”…… anxiety has gotten the best of me.
Blessings to everyone……Charle
Thank you so much for the stuff on Berlusconi, Len. And thanks for asking, Paola.
paola: Got Berlusconi’s natal chart from astro dot com. It’s a powerful chart. His lunar north Node is on the Galactic Core opposite his mid heaven. Also, his natal Jupiter is in its rulership in Sagittarius. His chart ruler, Mercury (because of his Virgo ascendant) is in the first house, conjunct his natal Sun and they are being transited by Mars right now. The Sun is transiting his 10th house right now, giving him confidence, putting him in the limelight. However, an impending Mercury retrograde in his 11th house will not help his chances. It appears that the current astrology is functioning to make him a legend in his own mind. Unless he can win the “youth vote”, he should probably focus on getting more wealthy.
Great! Thank you.
(I found this
http://blog.leiweb.it/astrablog/2011/03/16/il-tema-natale-della-repubblica-italiana-1861946/
for the birth of Italian Republic (list of all planets at the bottom), but I’m not sure, there is another one for the unity of Italy in 1870…)
paola: It’s not just Italy’s problem. The United States has a history of re-electing disgraced politicians. i’m not sure how to do a chart for Italy, but i’ll check Berlusconi’s chart and be back with you soon.
Len, you talked about England and this makes me ask a question about Italy… I understand it’s off topic, so feel free not to answer, I understand. It’s on topic in the sense that it concerns a big ‘retrograde’: Mr. Berlusconi announced his intention to be a candidate for chief of the government again.
I think that this is no more than a joke, and that he hasn’t ANY possibility of being elected, or even to really present himself as a candidate. But newspapers give a pretty big space to the news, and he claims to have taken the decision on the basis of some survey (as usual).
??? Can it *really* be possible? Can Italy really go so backwards instead than forward?
It’s off topic, I realize.
I feel this retrograde Mercury that his influence will be positive by the double sextile that follow with Venus/Gemini then with March/Balance and then the trine with Uranus, it will alleviate the arrived March on my Venus, thanks Len for sharing
Charle: welcome.
starynight3: You have a good point that should not be minimized or marginalized. Yet, it could be worse. The burden of Achilles is far greater than any of us will ever know.
be: Thank you once again for your generous and erudite contributions. To answer your first question, please allow me to refer to the late, great astrologer Robert Blaschke, master of all things Mercury. Mr. Blaschke adroitly observed that not all Mercury retrogrades are the same and developed a colloquial method of categorizing them based on two variables (1)The number of degrees Mercury appears to travel backwards during its retrograde period; and (2) how long Mercury takes to complete the apparent reverse motion. The crucial variable is the second one, the length of time, because Mercury is “uncomfortable” moving slowly. The categorical groupings are three, each with an informal name. When Mercury is retrograde for about 20 days and backs up about 16 degrees, that’s a “shortie” (as in summer clothes). Retrograde for 22 days and backing up 13 degrees or more is a “middie” (as in middle). Retrograde for 24 days and backing up less than 12 degrees is a “longie” (as in winter underwear). The retrograde we are about to experience of the long variety, over 24 days and just over 11 degrees of orbital travel.
As regards to Mercury retrograde in a fire sign, it first must be noted that Mercury retrograde cycles follow a historical cycles of their own. One 6-year cycle noted by astrologer Erin Sullivan has to do with the elements that dominate any given set of retrogrades, a year and a fraction retrograding predominantly in each successive element (fire, earth, air or water). Fire sign retrogrades seem to bring out Mercury’s duality because fire is compatible with the Mercury’s rulership in airy Gemini, but not so compatible with Mercury’s exaltation/rulership in earthy Virgo. Hence a retrograde in a fire sign can appear to be one thing while experienced and something entirely different in retrospect. Finally as to your watery Scorpio “niners”, they are in cahoots with Neptune and Salacia in watery Pisces. Once both Neptune and Salacia are out of retrograde, many of us will have more water (albeit not predominantly potable) than we know what to do with, wait and see. Certain things, like the tides, cannot be held back. Hope those are satisfactory responses to your great questions (and thank you).
Sarah: Thank you for invoking Kundera. Yes, Great Britain does appear to be on the other side of the water fence. In the United Kingdom’s 1801 natal chart, Pluto was at 2+ degrees Pisces (where Neptune is transiting now), Pars Fortuna was at 27+ Pisces (nor being applied to by transiting Salacia), and the Moon was at 19+ Cancer, recently transited by the Sun. The progressed United Kingdom chart advances Pluto only three degrees, moves Part of Fortune to mid cancer (where expansive Jupiter is exalted) and Neptune is in the middle decan of Scorpio for both charts. Looks wet all right.
Dear Be –
Thank you for all the info you sent my way on asteroids – which I know nothing about and find hard to comprehend.
I do identify with organization, discernment, logic, sensitivity, wisdom and justice and even warrior, based on what many have told me during my lifetime and with my own firsthand experiences….One in particular, where I was instrumental in having the employment status of several hundred women changed, legally and permanently, in one of the largest firms ( in their category) in the world….at that time….many years ago. My Jupiter in Leo is showing!! Shame!! The “warrior” brought this to mind.
What is the other “family” relationship in my chart? could you explain, please?
I was happy to hear about the Grand Trine in my chart and an astrolger friend told me years ago that this comes to my rescue, so to speak.
Yes, I know the world has changed a great deal, in my lifetime, and seems to be doing more so. I don’t do well with change, but need to hopefully have the strength to take on any future challenges by learning to “go with the flow”.
It is a mystery to me that you or others have learned any lessons from my chart or the minute details of my life story ,which are only the tip of the icebeg….. but I thank you for all the input and info you have sent me, the comments and kudos from all.
Be, if in the future, you are aware of any of the Cardinal planets making an impact, on my chart, I would appreciate anything you would be willing to share with me that would not be malefic in nature….maybe some guidance on how to handle and time frame….. thank you.
Many blessings to you for all you do, and to all the kind people who write…..Charle
I agree, it is a heavy responsibility. But it isn’t a burden. I’m with Kundera when he cites the unbearable lightness of being.
We are in a flood season here in the UK, and it’s far from over.
I agree starrynight3, this is heavy responsibility. And it makes so much sense Len. The connection between Mercury being the lower octive of Uranus, and Mercury representing our everyday routine whereas Uranus is anything but, is going to manifest SOMETHING to serve as a wakeup call when they both (appear to) stop dead still and then reverse. I’m grateful that you have figured this out and passed it on to us in terms that absolutely must sink in. Do we know why Mercury’s retro period is going to be “unusually long and slow”? I’m wondering too about the meaning of them both being in fire (inspiration) signs, and that Mercury will trine Uranus twice this month; for emphasis I’m guessing.
Speaking of sinking in, something has intrigued me for months now which is that three symbols relating to water stories have gathered at 9+ Scorpio, all 3 retrograde. When Mercury makes his 2nd trine to Uranus on the 25th, Jupiter and Uranus will create a yod with those 3 water symbols. Could it be a repeat of the water (or lack of) catastrophies as it was when this aspect was formed with Venus instead of Jupiter on the 4th this month? This time the Moon will join the Uranian Point Poseidon, and the two TNO’s Deucalion and Ceto in Scorpio, which could increase the emotional effect. Having too much water or not nearly enough water affects us all, directly or indirectly. The drought in the U.S. and the flooding in Russia have had caused devastation for many now and will affect many more when failed crops become their reality. Twice in one month would disrupt many lives and certainly get our attention. These 3 water symbols did and will again trine Chiron who does tend to repeat his message until we “get it”.
be.
That’s pretty heavy. And it is.