This is a transitional week in a transitional year. Against a backdrop of slower-moving changes, as this week draws to a close, the Moon (now in earthy Virgo since late yesterday) and Mercury (now in earthy Taurus since April 14) will transition from earth to air signs.
The Moon will leave its air sign, Libra, after only a little more than two days. Mercury, however, will enter Gemini for about two months just three short seconds before 10pm EDT Thursday (01:59:57 UTC Friday).
Two months? After just more than two weeks in Taurus? Yup, must be getting close to Mercury retrograde time again, but time enough for all that later. It would not be advisable to get all hung up on Mercury retrograde details now. It would keep you from getting off the mental ground you are on now.
Planet Waves will be here in a timely manner to guide you through Mercury’s retrograde with the Spring Report readings and other services. For this week, let transition be your focus.
To gracefully begin Mercury’s transition (initially in concert with the Moon) from a short run in Taurus to a long winding flight through Gemini, it would be appropriate to use your imagination. That’s because one of the ways versatile Mercury manifests in your life is through mental activities in general, and your own thinking specifically. The Moon’s own association with dreams makes an imaginative touch appropriate, at least enough to get you off the ground and into the weekend.
In this case, a useful mental construct would be to tell yourself that Mercury’s transition from Taurus to Gemini will be “just like flying a bicycle.” That way you combine a familiar and reassuring old saying (“just like riding a bicycle”) with what is still a relatively new activity for human beings, one that requires conscious awareness: flying.
Gemini is one of the two signs Mercury rules, along with Virgo. In other words, for Mercury, entering Gemini is like going home. Hence, you can safely anticipate Mercury’s ingress to Gemini on Thursday will be the mental equivalent of getting back on a bicycle after a long period of not having pedaled on two wheels. Your mind will likely adjust quickly and comfortably to the change.
Yet, it’s inevitable that you will not be able to take this particular traversal of Gemini by Mercury unconsciously. Depending on how sensitive you are, you may have to shift from intuitive bicycle rider mode to being an attentive and intentional mental pilot as early as the first week of May.
That’s because Mercury’s apparent motion will begin to slow down rapidly once it enters Gemini, which is not a natural state for what appears to us as the fastest planet. Much like an airplane, greater speed provides what you could call greater lift for Mercury’s metaphorical wings. By the same token, slower speed implicitly brings up the possibility of stalling, even crashing.
In an actual airplane, a consciously aware pilot can often employ a counter-intuitive strategy to prevent a crash in the event an unexpected stall — by going into a dive to increase air speed and restore lift under the wings. Sometime before Mercury emerges from Gemini to enter Cancer, you might have to be something akin to a skilled pilot as regards to mental activities in general — and your own thinking, specifically.
For this week, however, it will be enough to know what you are getting into while accomplishing a smooth transition. It will mean relaxing and allowing your natural, unconscious mental reflexes to come back. It will also mean being prepared to calmly and confidently employ less intuitive and more intentional strategies if and when they are called for.
One other possible strategy to investigate now is getting yourself a co-pilot for the next couple of months. It’s an idea that fits with Gemini’s iconic representation as a set of twins. It’s also a practical concept that suits any ongoing endeavor that involves transitioning from one lifestyle or state of being to another.
So, relax and trust your instincts while also being aware and (ideally) arranging for a buddy this week. If you can do that, just that, you will be able to more easily transition into a near future timeframe — one astrology indicates will be just like flying a bicycle.
Offered In Service
Len is available for astrology readings. You can contact him at lenwallick [at] gmail [dot] com.
Len, Once again, thank you for the insight. Your thoughtful comments keep me on track for what can feel like a monumental task. Finding a co pilot is exactly what is called for. Simply break it down to that directive.
A few weeks back your advice was to travel out here to Colorado and shake things up. Did just that and introduced an entirely new concept to an emerging industry. Makes perfect sense to me for years and was able to gain the understanding of some powerful com padres.
What is the old saying ” How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time…”
Thanks again for the affirmation.
Nancy: You are most welcome. It is gratifying to know my service offered here has been useful for you. My thanks to you in turn for your generous comment.
Funny as shit man! Somewhere in my old notebooks I have sketches, diagrams, calculations, and specifications for turning my bicycle into a flying machine!
I haven’t been able to draw since ’08, sketch sure, but complete an actual composition hasn’t happened. I now find myself at the point of either having to create something artistic, or go into the workforce in a soul-numbing way.
I’ve given myself a month (maybe two now, given the synchronicity) to put a project together. I’m quite capable in ability… it’s the mind realm that’s had me hung up.
Timely read man, thanks.
Jere
You are generally a suitable co-pilot, Len. No less today. Pictures of ET driven on flying bicycles to his transport home come to mind…
Mercury anyway, has phoned home.
Moving day shifted forward to middle of retro, then shifted back to beginning; that’s foreshadowing the retro I imagine– and the Gemini wind beneath my wings.
Yes, I agree with aWord, ET came immediately to mind and I caught glimpses of the movie just a couple of days ago as it was replaying on a cable channel one of my teenaged children was watching and we both watched it for at least 45 minutes and did, indeed, see the flying bicycle scene again. Some kids closed their eye as their bikes lifted to the air, others were totally absorbed in the ride. I used to cringe when Mercury Retrograde arrived being quite sensitive to its effects, I was especially known to blow up office computers in a three year time frame all during Mercury Retrograde periods: 7 hard drives, 2 portable, 2 office re-wires; some people can’t wear watches, others are hard on shoes, I, well, …) But, it is Mercury in Retrograde that prompted me to discover astrology. Now I embrace and look forward to MercuryRetro, more than anything, it allows me to slow down and reflect. Something I don’t do often enough, likely due to an Aries Moon.
Thank you Len for encouraging the “buddy system,” I will take it to heart. I found the last two weeks or so particularly agitating, I am looking forward to the calmer, simpler, unplugged, retro times…
Aries Moon(shine scope) couldn’t be more apropos, Len. Thank you for that as well.
Jere: i want you to succeed in your artist-revival project. i believe in you. i sincerely hope that something in my service today goes beyond tickling your funny bone and stimulating childhood memories to help you evolve (rather than numb) your poet’s soul.
aWord: It’s encouraging to know my work has not only stimulated a fond cinematic memory but also supported your plans to further further yourself a bit farther North from where you are now. It’s my guess that the options for your moving date will narrow down rapidly after the Sun passes the mid-point of Taurus.
Pisces Sun: You are among many who found their way into astrology through the gateway Mercury retrogrades avail. It’s encouraging to read how open-minded you are about doing constructive work with Mercury’s apparent reversal, in spite of some notable (and typical). misadventures. i empathize with one of your examples is that i’m one of those who “can’t wear watches.” Keep up the good work and please “phone home” to keep us posted on your progress with regress.
Assuming such “phones” will be working during Mercury Retrograde, 🙂 Thanks Len. Now that I embrace the calm, I almost become one with the energy now, you wrote about going with the flow recently, it’s more like that. Sure, there are certain things I do avoid, but more than anything, I try not to get excited or start certain things, if I can help it. If I must (and yes, sometimes I am required to do certain things that an antithetical, it seems (communication, usually) to Mercury Retrograde, again, I try to be low keyed about things, that seems to be more important than anything. It’s weird but I am thinking of the line in Caddy Shack: “Be the ball.” It’s almost like I have to become one with whatever it is that I am doing, because resistance is futile.
aWord: Thank you. i’m gratified to know my Moonshine Horoscope “clicked” for you.
Jere. take heart – the creative spirit sometimes seems dormant, hidden, but it does not go away. I have “quit” a few times over the years, usually after my work/self had been trashed too often by unsupportive partners. There are still many arid days, but the flow returns. May you enjoy a re-emergence of the enegy you need to be inspired & creating again.
Len, thank-you for the heads-up on the coming Mercury retro. It will be toodling through my 12 house, after almost touching my retro Uranus before reversing course. And it will oppose my Sagg sun. I’m expecting a fairly quiet time, not necessarily devoid of “unexpecteds” – have already recalled more dreams than is typical, though none yet which I would call profound. I’m staying tuned.
My (real) bicycle needs a tune-up before I discover whether I remember how to cycle (I probably do), but that’s on hold as I’m flat out preparing garden space, tending bedding plants & trying to find good homes for some motherless kittens I rescued. They need a chance at a good kitty life!
Everyone, thank-you for reminding me of ET – I recall loving that movie when I saw it with my daughter all those years ago. A sweet memory!
Bette: Thanks, first off, for supporting Jere’s aspirations with the benefit of your rich experience and hard-won perspective. Best of luck getting your gardening underway at an auspicious time. May you also find success with your aspirations to adopt those kittens. May more sweet memories even now be in the making for you!
Thanks, Len. Gardening in a severe climate has its challenges, but brings both food & beauty (along with sore muscles!) into my life – & I love the independence it supports. Of course, one aspires every year to grow “my best garden ever” – & sets out to try.
Len………your advice coincides with some interesting upcoming events … for this traveler …..I’m starting to get the feel of your sage words…..THANK YOU…………
Jere……I’ve read, that what you seek…..is likewise…..seeking you…….
Len, Bette, Barbara, thank you for the encouragement. In the past I’ve had friends who always know ‘some other cat’ who is “really” talented.
Luckily, over the last several years (old friends’ moved on) and I’ve ran across new folk who’ve done their best to pull me from the shadows. It’s time I accept the moral support and at least take a bit of pride in myself for what I can do to make the world a more beautiful space.
Peace and Love,
Jere