We’re just over a week into Mercury’s pre-retrograde shadow phase, and some people are already noticing slightly retrograde-type hiccups. That’s one of a few reasons why it would pay to start being extra mindful when it comes to thinking, emoting, speaking, moving and expressing yourself in general.
Part of this is because Mercury is in Scorpio, a water sign (and will be there for the whole retrograde). Mercury in a water sign means that emotions and thought processes kind of blur together; you may feel your thoughts.
Another reason to be mindful of the aforementioned actions is that Mars is entering the last few degrees of Leo. This hot-blooded planet in a fire sign could equal a little more ‘assertiveness’ when it comes to the chances one might be inclined to take — and the attitudes that go along with them.
With Venus in Sagittarius, Jupiter’s home sign, there’s more emphasis on the whole fun-loving, extravagant appetite and adventuring (or adventuresome sex) theme. Play, extravagance, out-sized appetites and even outsized emotions have their place, and can be truly constructive when making art and performing.
Speaking of outsized emotions, Jupiter in Cancer is receiving a square from the Libra Sun. This will be exact Saturday, Oct. 12 at 11:08 am EDT but is certainly in effect now. Classic hallmarks of any Sun-Jupiter square include a “tendency toward untruthfulness and exaggeration” according to Isabel Hickey, along with showiness, questionable judgment and the need to adjust one’s attitude.
Throw in the fact that Jupiter is in Cancer — ruled by the Moon and signifying our emotions at their most cyclical — and there’s genuine potential to be swept up in a current whose flow is stronger than you thought it was before you jumped in headfirst.
Squares urge us to act; that is the balm that soothes the tension manifesting. But this would be a good time to remind yourself that just because a little of something is good, more is not necessarily better. Sometimes more can be downright toxic or dangerous; sometimes it just translates into wasted energy, drama and frustration.