Tag Archives: Mercury

The Day of Royal Command: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is Aug. 15
The Day of Royal Command | 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for instant access | All Other Signs

This is likely to be a pivotal moment for you, highlighted by an influential Full Moon on your birthday. You’ll probably find yourself with fresh motivation to focus on matters you might previously have begun to let slide, or able to clear certain hindrances that may have seemed immovable in the past. The choice of where and how to devote your energy is yours alone; you’ll therefore want to be sure you can voluntarily honor any commitment you make, through all weathers.
— by Amy Elliott

Do you have a Leo Sun, rising sign or Moon? Your last couple years may have left you reeling trying to figure out which path forward is best. Hear Eric’s thoughts on expediting your post-eclipse process in your 2019-2020 Leo Astrology Studio reading.

Written in the Planets

Mercury leaves its post-retrograde shadow phase this morning, freeing up thought patterns and communication just in time for today’s Full Moon in Aquarius. The Aquarius Moon opposes the Leo Sun and Venus at 8:29 am EDT (12:29:08 UTC), which means it will be separating and the energy beginning to dissipate during the day. Yet even as the Moon moves along, the Sun and Venus will still be closely aligned — offering warm, heartfelt social vibes for a few days.

That said, if you’re in a funk or not feeling as social as everyone around you seems to be, there are elements in the Full Moon chart suggesting that a ‘fake it till you make it’ approach could be worth trying. Sometimes we feel limited in how expressive we can be with others, or in who exactly we’re able to connect with. And while that can speak to concrete circumstances, often it’s just a matter of perception (and specifically, self-perception) that’s based more on past or internal emotional habits than on the present moment’s opportunities.

Showing up bodily in a specific physical space where others are gathered may help you to find the leverage needed to rise above perceived limitations (or to hold space for others to do so), and let a little friendliness shine out. Yet you can offer this to yourself, as well, by setting aside some time and space to do something kind, creative or playful for yourself. Whether solo or with others, these options are a form of love — ones that cost little to give, yet are priceless to receive.
— by Amanda Painter

Aquarius Full Moon (and Friends)

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By Amanda Painter

Mercury leaves its post-retrograde shadow phase this morning, freeing up thought patterns and communication just in time for today’s Full Moon in Aquarius. The Aquarius Moon opposes the Leo Sun and Venus at 8:29 am EDT (12:29:08 UTC), which means the aspect will be separating and the energy beginning to dissipate during the day.

A sunflower demonstrates the Golden Ratio; photo by Amanda Painter

That could translate into any seemingly stuck situations starting to resolve — though this appears to be a Full Moon with less of a conflict/tension signature compared to many other Full Moons.

This one looks more social, with the energy peak having come Wednesday night. Yet even as the Moon moves along from this opposition, the Sun and Venus will still be closely aligned — offering warm, heartfelt social vibes for a few days. Mercury finally treading new ground in Leo describes lively and possibly even dramatic communication of ideas — the bigger the audience, the better.

That said, if you’re in a funk or not feeling as social as everyone around you seems to be, there are elements in the Full Moon chart suggesting that a ‘fake it till you make it’ approach could be worth trying. That would be the asteroids Achilles (false confidence or false lack of confidence) and Icarus (a desire to escape restrictions, exuberance of youth; also potentially reckless actions) conjunct the Moon in Aquarius.

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The Day of Long Odds: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Aug. 13
The Day of Long Odds 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for instant access | All Other Signs

You appear to be having a form of ‘no-bullshit’ moment with regard to your one-on-one relationships, of all kinds. This could very well be useful, in terms of both letting go of connections that no longer make sense, and meeting new people. The key is to consider whether you bring out the best in one another. The healthiest interactions result in you growing closer to your higher self and to all that is inherently sacred and beautiful. There comes a point when nothing less will suffice.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

The Moon enters Aquarius today ahead of Thursday’s Full Moon in that sign, in a week that appears to have ‘let’s get social!’ written all over it. That can be easier for some people than others (if social anxiety is an issue, feel free to modify what ‘social’ looks for you). If you tend to be the more introverted or shy type, or if you’re finding yourself alone or unable to connect with your usual group of friends, you may find that getting out into the world offers new opportunities to make contact with others in mutually satisfying ways. True, it’s possible to be in a group of people and feel lonely; yet it’s also possible for a single unexpected smile shared with a stranger to brighten an entire day.

The Moon’s opposition to Mercury in Leo today will go by quickly, but could give a taste-test of what the Full Moon is about for you. Notice who catches your attention, what you feel compelled to say, what they say to you, and how you feel about it all. Chitchat could be rampant and playful, but it’s the unusual idea that catches your imagination or elicits an unexpected emotional response that may be worth some additional pondering. Heart and soul, mind and spirit — all appear to be feeding each other well, and will likely benefit from some physical activity; perhaps especially if done for its own pleasurable sake, without a particular goal in mind.
— by Amanda Painter

COMING SOON FROM PLANET WAVES…

The Day of the Velvet Voice: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Aug. 10
The Day of the Velvet Voice 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for instant access | All Other Signs

You’re ready to commence a new phase of your personal journey, which is likely to center on bringing a part of yourself more decidedly into the light. Certain arrangements you’ve made are on the verge of being set in motion. Meanwhile, now is a great time for one last systems check; make sure everything is where it needs to be, and wearing its best outfit. This will help soothe any stage fright you may have. Keep your courage high. You’ve worked hard to get here, and you know what you’re doing.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

Mercury is in late Cancer, preparing to enter Leo tomorrow. It is nearing the end of its post-retrograde ‘shadow’ or ‘echo’ phase. But before it clears that territory, or even clears the sign Cancer, it makes a square today to the asteroid Rhadamanthus in Libra. In myth, Rhadamanthus was a king whom Zeus later made the judge of souls in the underworld.

You might consider today which of your emotional reactions needs to be brought into better integrity — especially regarding anything that came into focus during the retrograde. Another interpretation of this aspect could be a need to bring greater empathy to your judgments, whether of self or others. Have you been judging your feelings, thoughts, or responses — or your expectations of how others might respond to your sensitivities — harshly? We’re all human, and our failings come with the territory. It’s okay to be generous with your empathy; it’s also okay to know when enough is enough.

Meanwhile, Jupiter stations direct in Sagittarius tomorrow. You can read more about that in yesterday’s Written in the Planets or in this article here.
— by Amanda Painter

COMING SOON FROM PLANET WAVES…

The Day of Psychological Leverage: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Aug. 9
The Day of Psychological Leverage 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for instant access | All Other Signs

Cherish your individuality. If you’re living in a way that’s faithful to yourself, people will notice; they may react strongly. Yet whether they’re charmed, provoked or fascinated makes no difference in reality. What matters is that you continue on your life path regardless. Keep truth as close to you as possible, like a priceless item you could never sell or give away. When committed to this way of doing things, you can find yourself growing, creating and healing almost as a matter of course.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

The Moon’s conjunction to Jupiter in Sagittarius today is just the latest in personal planets making aspects to it before it stations direct on Sunday. On a social level, this is likely to come through as generosity and easy, lively rapport with others. Mercury in Cancer continues to signify enhanced emotional intelligence in that realm (especially if you’ve been working with any insights from its recent retrograde, and if you’re keeping tabs on your own sensitivities and those of others).

On a more philosophical or metaphysical level, the Moon conjunct Jupiter suggests the inspiration to seek or focus on some of the deeper spiritual insights life offers. How personal can you make them? As in: rather than pondering big ideas in the abstract, what questions can you ask yourself about your sense of purpose; your vision for your life; the lessons you’ve learned and the patterns you’ve perceived that contribute to your worldview and sense of yourself in it?

Or, to put it more simply: when you allow yourself to get very quiet and still inside, where can you feel yourself drawn to expand and emerge and explore? Jupiter is nearing the end of its phase of review in its home sign. When it shifts back to an orientation of forward momentum and external expansion, your notes on these questions could be useful in staying focused on the place where you most desire to aim your arrow. Of course, you may also find that the target itself has shifted. That’s okay — all that matters is that you notice it and respond accordingly.
— by Amanda Painter

COMING SOON FROM PLANET WAVES…

Jupiter Stations Direct in Sagittarius

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By Amanda Painter

On Sunday, Jupiter will station direct in Sagittarius, the first of two signs it traditionally rules (the other being Pisces). I know a few people who’ve been feeling like some part of their lives has been less able to develop over the last several months, or like it’s been hard to home in on a goal or vision. Jupiter traveling in apparent retrograde motion since April 10 is as good an image as any for that sensation, if it’s one you’ve been experiencing.

Photo by Amanda Painter.

In these final days before Jupiter makes its switch (which happens at 9:37 am EDT / 13:37:11 UTC on Aug. 11) it might be helpful to ask yourself some questions. The answers may be slow to emerge after the station direct; I have never tried to track whether Jupiter stations tend to arrive with the same kind of ‘sudden truth’ moment that Mercury stations can signal. I suspect that the expansive nature of Jupiter may correlate to a wider window of revelation and reorientation.

Yet this may be a good time to start practicing and opening up the space via these questions. Such as: how in touch do you feel with your sense of purpose or your vision for your life? What are you noticing right now about the lessons you’ve learned and the patterns you’ve perceived that contribute to your worldview and sense of yourself in it?

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The Day of Resolute Composure: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Aug. 5
The Day of Resolute Composure | The 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for instant access | All Other Signs

New ideas seem to be flowing into your mind like fresh, cool breezes. You are likely to be more in contact than usual with your intuition, and better able to understand concepts from a multitude of vantage points. Take every opportunity to feed your inspiration actively, however. Make a point of going places you’ve never visited — especially if you’ve always wanted to. Soak in experiences that nourish your love of life and of beauty. There is always more to see and do.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

Jupiter has been retrograde in Sagittarius for quite a while — since April 10, to be exact. In a week, on Aug. 11, it will station direct. At the moment, it is stationary — that is, barely moving at all (well, barely moving according to our perspective here on Earth; the planet has been moving in its typical orbit the entire time, and is now). We’re approaching a turning point in all that Jupiter and Sagittarius represent: expansion, far-reaching vision, pursuit of focused intention (like the archer’s arrow), optimism and so-called luck, seeing wider patterns, belief systems and so on.

You may wish to consider areas in your life where any of those themes have felt fuzzy, under review or in some form of retreat, as well as lessons from the past that have been magnified or tested in recent months. I’ll have more about Jupiter stationing direct and some related Sagittarian activity throughout the week, but that should get you started.

Meanwhile, Mercury is about to leave the degree where it stationed direct in Cancer. Today it repeats its exact square to the asteroid Haumea in Libra. As you begin to move incrementally forward on projects you’ve had on hold the last three weeks, consider what you’ve learned about your emotional responses in that time. You may be ready to birth a new way of expressing them, even if the process arrives via unusual channels.
— by Amanda Painter

COMING SOON FROM PLANET WAVES…

In These Times graphic

The Day of the Dangerous Quest: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Aug. 3
The Day of the Dangerous Quest | The 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for instant access | All Other Signs

If you want to make more of a positive difference in the world, this year’s astrology suggests you have the resources — whether it’s money, time, energy or ideas. You might need to use some discernment prior to making a firm decision, though do be sure to consider the opportunities offered you. Part of this exercise seems to be about finding your present vocation, and building on your self-confidence. Few things can do that like knowing you’re in a position to help someone, or several someones.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

Mars and Juno make an exact conjunction in Leo today, though they’ve been moving in tandem for a while now. Primarily this constitutes a reminder to keep tabs on scorekeeping, one-upmanship, boasting and selfishness — especially with people of the opposite sex, and particularly in intimate relationships, though this could crop up anywhere things get a little competitive or ego-driven.

Ego is not a bad thing, inherently; a healthy ego is necessary to getting almost anything done, and to having a sense of oneself in the world. Yet when the ego feels threatened, it tends to get over-defensive. You may need to be the one to offer gentle reminders that help to keep things functional if a situation gets heated, and that could take extra effort.

On the other hand, there’s something about Juno and Mars in Leo that suggests the kind of assertion in love and sex that could fire things up in an enjoyable way. If you can throw some flames and your partner or prospect can serve it right back in the spirit of saucy competition, the playful rather than prideful side of Leo might come out.

Mars and Juno conjunct in Leo also speaks to me of something else: a very creative type of partnership, where the activeness of one person fires up the courage of the other. Or, perhaps, the type of inner frisson (caused by some metaphorical fission?) that accomplishes the same thing — with Neptune nudging things along in imaginative (if sometimes awkward) ways. Mercury being in the position it is suggests the continued need to ‘be real’, and to keep treading carefully with communication. Watch your assumptions, and notice the emotions behind them.
— by Amanda Painter