Sunday morning, Mercury stationed direct in Sagittarius. It had been retrograde, mostly in Capricorn, since right before the winter solstice, starting on Dec. 19. When Mercury stations direct early in the year, it feels to me like a second beginning — this time a little more clear-headed, and less stressed out by the holidays.

This is a diagram of the Milky Way, which is a barred spiral galaxy. If you look carefully, you can see our Sun just above the Perseus Arm, along what’s called the Orion Spur. We’re about 25,000 light years from the core.

Mercury is in its stationary direct position in a conjunction to the Galactic Core. We live on an island in space containing about 300 billion stars. They are arranged in a spiral pattern, approximately like the illustration. We cannot see our own galaxy from this point of view because we cannot get nearly far enough away.

At the center of the spiral is a supermassive black hole and a number of other radio sources that constitute the Galactic Core. Mercury is now aligned with the core within about two degrees. Amplifying this signal is a centaur planet called Pholus, even closer to the core (where it will be hanging around all year).

Sagittarius, particularly in those late degrees, is a visionary sign. It points directly to our cosmic source. If there is such a thing as Shamballa, you will find it in the direction of Sagittarius. Anyone born under this sign who is unhappy or frustrated is living below their spiritual calling, rather than rising to it.

Mercury is the planet of ideas and messages. Aligning with the core for approximately a week, as it’s now doing, Mercury is getting its batteries charged on galactic energy. We need this: we need the big-picture, wide-angle view that Sagittarius and in particular the Galactic Core offer.

We need to remember that we have cosmic origins, even if we don’t remember what they are. We need to remember that the galaxy is the primary unit of organizing the universe as we know it, and that we live on board a glorious one. Remembering is what the Galactic Core is all about, because it’s specifically this kind of spiritual learning that we forget.

Here’s what our galaxy looks like from Earth. It’s oriented vertically, and this is the view inward, toward the tropical sign Sagittarius. We are about 25,000 light years from the core. Because we’re on the galactic plane, we’re looking through all manner of stardust and debris, which obstructs our view of the core. But it’s right there.

What you’re immersing yourself in can seem quite real at Burning Man or during your workshop at the Omega Institute. But then once you step off the playa or the campus, do you really take it with you?

Mercury will proceed into Capricorn, where it arrives on Jan. 12 (about three hours after the Cancer Full Moon, so they are one event). This day is likely to come with some fuss and fanfare: a Full Moon in the cardinal signs, and Mercury contacting the Aries Point via Capricorn.

This is the perfect opportunity to get caught in the fireworks and forget all that you learned, and lose contact with all that you so recently soaked your mind and spirit in.

Remember what you’re discovering now. Remember what means something to you today. Remember what these past three weeks have brought: what you’ve observed, the healing you’ve done, how your relationships and family constellation have evolved, and the healing process you’ve been through as 2016 drew to a close.

This week’s horoscope is based on the chart for Mercury direct. I’ve broken it down by Sun sign and rising sign so you can give these aspects some specific relevance in your own affairs.

Regarding the Book of Your Life annual: I am now halfway through the writing process. I am taking it slow this year. I really did not have a choice, and as it works out I’m devoting more time to each reading than ever. I’ll keep you posted about my progress. Thanks for your patience.

Please tune in Tuesday for my one-year anniversary tribute to David Bowie, and my telling of an event last week where I got to experience existence from a female viewpoint, for one very interesting hour.

Catch you then.