Tag Archives: Mercury retrograde

Of Retrogrades and Gratitude

Dear Friend and Reader:

Mercury is stationing retrograde in Pisces on Sunday (early Monday in some time zones), which puts us in its ‘storm’ phase now. That’s the big astro-news you need to be most aware of. Yet perhaps apropos of Mercury’s stationary status — as it hovers seemingly in one place before appearing to reverse direction — I think I need to begin where I was originally planning to end this essay.

This will be my last weekly column for Planet Waves, at least for the foreseeable future. After 10 years of working for this incredible little astrology-website-that-could, and growing in immeasurable ways in the process, it is time for me to seek new adventures.

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Friends, Benefits, and the Leo Full Moon

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By Amanda Painter

We’re heading toward a Full Moon on Feb. 9, and Mercury stations retrograde one week later (on Feb. 16). That would be more than enough provocative energy on its own, but there are additional elements of the sky that will be sparking up the weekend.

Disco lion’s mane or crystallized moonlight? Photo by Amanda Painter.

One of those elements gets cooking tomorrow: Venus enters Aries at 3:02 pm EST (20:02:17 UTC) Feb. 7. Venus in Aries (the sign of Self ruled by Mars) tends to be lusty and assertive, idealistic yet impulsive, charming but sometimes inconsiderate without realizing it.

So remember your empathy, especially if any interpersonal situations get confrontational or intense as the Full Moon builds.

Yet it’s the conjunction of Venus to Chiron and the object Salacia that really focuses the qualities of Venus in Aries. Salacia appears to relate to sexual maturity (particularly the lack thereof) and to the kinds of sexual activity that get people all flustered.

In the U.S. media at least, that seems to be anything taboo or ‘scandalous’. In your personal life, it might mean the same things — or simply your perception that certain facets of your desire and sexual activity could be seen that way. But aren’t those always the hottest fantasies?

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Ceres in Aquarius, and a Vesta Quarter Moon

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By Amanda Painter

Tomorrow (Friday), Ceres becomes the next planet to leave the Capricorn stellium. It enters Aquarius at 2:59 am EST (7:58:45 UTC), and immediately bumps into the surprises offered by Uranus in Taurus.

Dewi Sri, the Balinese goddess of rice and fertility, watches over a home in Ubud. Photo by Amanda Painter.

What does Ceres in Aquarius describe? Ceres is the planet of literal food (specifically grain) and feeding, as well as metaphorical forms of nourishment. Aquarius is the sign of groups.

Automatically, we get an image of the social facet of eating: all forms of breaking bread with others, perhaps especially potluck dinners. Things like volunteering at soup kitchens and food banks bring in the humanitarian facet of Aquarius.

Less literally, we can see the theme of socialness itself being nourishing. Our friendships feed our hearts and souls, and at times offer the kind of nurturing that families of origin were not able to provide. Being accepted by a group can feel nourishing (though its shadow side includes peer pressure, social hierarchies and tribalism).

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The Day of Confidence: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Dec. 5
The Day of Confidence | 2019-20 Sagittarius Astrology Studio | All Other Signs

Opportunities to generate essential, material support in the coming year are indicated by Jupiter joining the planetary crowd in your zone of resources and security. Understand these will come wearing work clothes. Focus your efforts and practice delaying gratification. You’re playing the long game, here. Discipline is your key to creative satisfaction and joy.
— by Victoria Emory

If you have a Sagittarius Sun, rising sign or Moon and could use some insights on such real-life matters as work, relationships and career, your 2019-2020 Sagittarius Astrology Studio reading by Eric Francis will cover your ruling planet Jupiter’s conjunction to the Galactic Core, a preview of Jupiter in Capricorn, and many other potentially life-changing facets of your astrology.

Written in the Planets

After picking up on some deeper insights from Mercury in Scorpio in the wee hours, the Moon slides from Pisces to Aries this afternoon (around 2:44 pm EST / 19:44:20 UTC). With Mercury nearing the end of its post-retrograde echo or shadow phase, this contact describes some intuitive-level reminder of something you thought about or investigated in late October or early November. Info could come through a dream.

Aries Moons describe emotional impulses leading to action. Other objects in early Aries and Capricorn offer the themes and context for this. Namely, Chiron and Salacia in Aries bring in an element of sexual healing and identity integration; Pholus and Quaoar in Capricorn suggest some familial or ancestral material that you need to push against or integrate. Although the Moon will pass through these aspects fairly quickly, they set the tone for the last half of the day. How does it all connect to the broader project of applying your vision and faith to the practical tasks on your agenda?
— by Amanda Painter

In 2020 we have not one but two conjunctions that mark the turn of a generation, and of an era in history. On Jan. 12, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn form their once per 33-year conjunction. Then on Dec. 21. 2020, Jupiter and Saturn, both now in Aquarius, form a conjunction in the first degree of that sign. Read more here…

Tending a Grateful Space

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By Amanda Painter

Jupiter is currently making its way through the last degree of Sagittarius, bringing to a close this year in its home sign. Before you look ahead to what Jupiter in Capricorn is all about, you might take a little time to consider the area(s) of your life where expansion, broad or far-reaching vision, acquisition of new knowledge and experiences, adventure, distant travel, attainment and sharing of wisdom, increased optimism or faith, religious or philosophical zeal (including fundamentalism), or self-indulgence have been prominent.

Wind chimes and frangipani tree in Padangbai, Bali, Indonesia; photo by Amanda Painter.

Where have those themes intermingled in your life? What new vistas — inner or outer — have you encountered as a result?

What now feels like a distant daydream (emblematic of Jupiter’s long square to Neptune in Pisces this past year)? In what ways do you feel like you’ve mastered — or at least gained a foothold in — a new life-level?

I ask, because when Jupiter enters Capricorn on Monday, Dec. 2, the emphasis will shift to the practical application of whatever you have learned, envisioned and acquired.

Saturn rules Capricorn. And while Saturn/Cap can have a dampening effect on some of Jupiter’s traits, it’s also possible for Jupiter to infuse some optimism, humor and breadth of perception into the more conservative, rigid and dry realm of Saturn and Capricorn.

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The Day of the Commentator — Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Nov. 13
The Day of the Commentator | 2019-20 Scorpio Astrology Studio available for instant access | All Other Signs

You have something important to share, and this is the year to let your voice be heard. Stimulating aspects all over your birthday chart indicate strong currents and open channels to express complex thoughts with surprising ease. Your words may have educational value, or studies may dovetail with writing projects that bring considerable creative satisfaction. This could entail revisiting work done previously that you’re now ready to bring to fruition. Seize the day.
— by Victoria Emory

Do you ever feel like your Scorpio Sun, rising sign or Moon gets a bad rap from astrologers? Eric Francis understands the potential held in your depths — and can walk you through how the planet Uranus in your relationship zone might be stirring things up. Pre-order your 2019-20 Scorpio Astrology Studio reading (offered now at its lowest price!) to move past the stereotypes, and meet your life at full strength.

Written in the Planets

The Moon entering Gemini today at 3:46 am EST should lighten things up after the recent Full Moon intensity. Conversations are likely to move at a quicker pace — though with Gemini’s ruler, Mercury, continuing its retrograde journey, this could open mouths wide enough for feet to fit all too easily. Luckily you can probably correct things just as quickly — though with things like important business emails, consciously slowing your pace down could save valuable time and extra steps.

Venus in breezy, optimistic Sagittarius square Neptune in romanticizing Pisces has a “sky’s the limit” feel when it comes to idealizing a love interest. Fantasies are fun, as long as you keep checking them against reality. Additional factors suggest that indulging daydreams could have a strong pull but might be quite polarizing if someone feels they can’t live up to expectations. That said, anything that fosters sharing good vibes is needed and welcome on this planet. Venus-Neptune could also describe far-reaching artistic vision, and just enough inner tension to spur using your creativity in some spiritually tuned-in way.
— by Amanda Painter

The Day of Sensual Charisma — Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Nov. 12
The Day of Sensual Charisma | 2019-20 Scorpio Astrology Studio available for instant access | All Other Signs

This Full Moon birthday describes a culmination of one phase in your evolving approach to relationships. Themes you encounter may include the interplay between self-sufficiency and devotion; identity and commitment. Real opportunities available this year to enhance self-worth and security might somehow tie-in to this process. You’ll need to heed intuitive prompts and then actively pursue those leads, but it will be worth it. Wrapping up old business now clears the path for dynamic breakthroughs ahead.
— by Victoria Emory

Your 2019-20 Scorpio Astrology Studio reading for Scorpio Sun, rising and Moon signs addresses the current jolt to your relationships, as well as the profound thought transformation you’re going through. Eric considers some deep matters of self-identity and where that meets personal healing. Listen to Sample 1 or Sample 2.

Written in the Planets

This morning’s Taurus Full Moon is exact at 8:34 am EST. Chances are you’ve been feeling it build for at least a couple of days, even if you could not quite put your finger on what was brewing. Full Moons, visible in the sky, are literally a reflection: the Moon reflects the light of the Sun, though one would swear something so bright must be shining all on its own. It’s a useful dynamic to keep in mind every 28 days, particularly if you find yourself reacting strongly to someone else’s emotions or attitude toward you, and wondering “Where the heck is all this coming from?”

A more productive question might be to ask what they’re actually showing you about yourself. Is it possible you’re projecting some barely registered feelings or motives of your own onto them?

For this Full Moon, the Scorpio Sun is conjunct retrograde Mercury, and they are opposing the Moon in a tight conjunction to the asteroid Vesta in Taurus. So on one side we have symbols of conscious awareness and a deep memory process (Sun+Mercury); on the other side, emblems of intuition/emotion and embodied devotion/space-holding (Moon+Vesta). The signs Scorpio and Taurus both relate strongly to the emotional and physical experiences of sex (which implies surrender) and security (which implies control).

That all potentially translates into a visceral sense of conflicting desires and motives that could play out between you and another person. It need not be a showdown; it could easily morph into a mutually satisfying — if intense — exchange. Getting there, however, will require owning what you’re feeling, what you want, and how vulnerable you’re willing to be about it. Even if you experience this event entirely internally, rather than in a seemingly stuck situation with someone else, the questions and the available payoff are the same. Other factors in the chart suggest there’s plenty of energy available for physical or personal growth endeavors (double entendre not intended, but definitely an option) — but you’ll have to take the initiative.
— by Amanda Painter

The Day of the Underground: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Nov. 11
The Day of the Underground | 2019-20 Scorpio Astrology Studio available for instant access | All Other Signs

You make an impact on others simply by being yourself, but your words could pack extra punch this year, so choose them wisely. Your birthday astrology indicates intense focus on communication and relationships, with your mind firing on all cylinders and burning high-octane fuel. Self-expression in all forms is favored, but resist snap judgements, including assumptions about those you know well. Make a point to bring your keen emotional intelligence to all interactions, and you should be in for an exciting ride.
— by Victoria Emory

Written in the Planets

Mercury conjoins the Sun today — the day before the Taurus Full Moon — marking the astrological halfway point in its retrograde. According to traditional astrology, if you have important business that truly cannot wait until the retrograde is over, this is thought to be a better day for it. In any case, we have the planet of the mind (Mercury) and the emblem of conscious self-expression (the Sun) merging their symbolic energies — though Mercury is looking backward or inward, while the Sun maintains its forward/outward orientation. This describes a potentially interesting conversational dynamic: both expressive and reflective at the same time.

Yet, as a friend once remarked to me, you cannot actively think and truly listen at the same time. We were discussing the challenges we faced in trying to meditate; a teacher had offered this insight to her, along with the advice to focus on listening to all the sounds around her as she tried to meditate. Each time she noticed her thoughts wandering, she’d re-focus her attention on a specific sound. You might consider this dynamic today, especially since Sun-Mercury conjunctions can also describe a blind spot in awareness — such as being a little self-absorbed or talking a lot and not listening to others.

What shifts are you noticing between thinking and speaking, between listening to others and listening inwardly? With Mercury and the Sun also in aspect to Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn, what you notice, think and express could be quite useful in making certain changes you’re contemplating, or in aligning yourself more actively with goals — whether in the near future, or long-term. The Moon in early Taurus appears to offer an inner sense of steadiness regardless what surprises emerge.

Bear in mind, however, that interpersonal emotions could be running high. If a situation feels especially intractable with someone, patience and listening more closely could help. The way should begin to clear by the middle of tomorrow, after the Full Moon peaks.
— by Amanda Painter