Aquarium Age

Aquarium Age: April 26 – May 2, 2017

By Ralfee Finn

Hello to readers in Bilbao!

Since Mercury Retrograde began on April 10, the regular routines of daily life have been a wild and wacky ride. And even though the retrograde ends mid-day on May 3, the madness is certain to continue for a while, so don’t expect anything related to communication and travel to settle into an even pace anytime soon. This Mercury Retrograde is unusual for several reasons, not the least of which is its contact with Uranus, the planet of surprises, spontaneity and startling plot twists. The best advice I can offer this week is to expect the unexpected and be prepared for just about anything.

Normally during a retrograde phase, when Mercury appears to be moving backward relative to Earth’s orbit around the Sun, all things within its vast domain seem to go awry. Mercury Retrograde is all about reviewing the details, especially when those particulars are about negotiations, current contracts, travel delays, or just conversations, personal or professional. (As a side note, Mercury Retrograde is not about relationships unless the retrograde occurs in Libra, the Sign of relating, or the retrograde occurs in a natal chart in the House of relationship.) Mercury Retrograde is never a good time to initiate new endeavors, and it is always a good time to edit and perfect what is already in motion.

But this current retrograde phase is a bit of an anomaly (and one could argue that all of life is right now) because as Mercury moves behind rather than ahead, it is conjunct Uranus, the ancient Greek god who moves at the speed of light, throwing thunderbolts of illumination into stagnant waters. Uranus is brilliant at illuminating what needs to shift, but sometimes the constant barrage of bolts from the blue can be exhausting. And when that happens, information fatigue sets in—too much data to process combined with a nagging sense of being swept away by a deluge of information can simply be overwhelming.

When you mix that Uranian Olympian activity with fleet-footed Mercury (also an Olympian god known as Hermes in the Greek system), the pace of Mercury Retrograde quickens. And this can be confusing when you also add to the mix the one-step-forward-two-steps-back rhythm of a normal retrograde. Nervous systems tend to rattle from the stress of an erratic pace, creating another symptom of this retrograde phase: disturbed and disrupted sleep patterns.

The good news is that Saturn, the great stabilizing force of the astrological pantheon, continues to form positive relationships to both Mercury and Uranus, which translates into a modicum of stability. Retrograde madness may take its toll, but there are pockets of sanity amidst the crazy chaos.

There is a New Moon, in Taurus, on April 26 (today, if you are reading this on the day it’s published), and a New Moon is always about a new beginning. Taurus is the Sign of fertility—it’s creative, physical and sexual—which turns this new cycle into an excellent time to think about the seeds you would like to plant during this next cycle. Use the remainder of Mercury Retrograde to reassess what you would like to grow in your garden—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual—over the coming months. And when the retrograde is over, be ready to plant those plans and projects.

And one last thing: A Mercury/Uranus conjunction symbolizes quick and often impulsive action, and while I’m not advising you to hold back on something your heart knows is the best choice, it might be wise to exercise a bit of caution before you boldly go after what you may in the retrograde aftermath discover you don’t really want or need. And as always, practice compassion whenever possible—we are in this together, even if it is sometimes uncomfortable.

Sun Bursts: If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that too.

Aries March 21-April 19
It’s all about balance—finding it and maintaining that equilibrium no matter what you have to deal with. I wish I could tell you to let loose and go unfettered into your brave new world. But it might be—actually it is—much wiser to exercise caution and restraint. The results will be much more to your liking if you can manage to hold steady and be moderate.

Taurus April 20-May 20
The key that unlocks the current difficulty is your ability to be present as well as authentic. I’m not suggesting that there is an easy-peasy solution. I’m simply reminding you that if you show up and take your time, rather than despairing over the complications, you’ll be able to trust your ability to handle whatever happens skillfully—and with grace.

Gemini May 21-June 21
Life is playing out on a split screen—but hey…what else is new? One story is all about the need to take charge and be a leader, which you are only too happy to do and be. The other narrative is all about needing a little extra quiet time to regroup and replenish your inner reserves. While you’re used to being pulled in several directions simultaneously, this is about prioritizing quality time for you.

Cancer June 22-July 22
You’re ready to put practical and pragmatic plans in motion and the retrograde brakes are a hassle. Never mind…be patient, bide your time, and while you do, try not to brood too much over what you might be missing. There’s no need to worry—the extra time can be well spent refining your plan.

Leo July 23-August 22
You’re in the power zone—so take a deep breath and recognize that even though lions don’t have a hibernation phase, you’re out of your winter’s sleep and rapidly moving into full-throttle, full speed ahead. All you have to do is keep paying attention to the details. Remember: A truly powerful person recognizes her limitations. Work with what you have and you’ll be happy with the results.

Virgo August 23-September 22
Don’t be surprised if you’re hypersensitive this week. You’re stepping into a new role that requires you to be in command, but it feels as if you’re constantly encountering unforeseeable obstacles to your progress. Rather than resist, consider the notion that these interruptions may actually be beneficial—you just won’t see the benefits until later.

Libra
September 23-October 22
You’re synthesizing reality and fantasy, blending creativity with practicality. Try not to let self-doubt interfere with your determination to create something new, especially when it comes to clearing out several still-lingering relationship patterns that no longer serve. You’ve been working on rehabbing those patterns for the last seven years—don’t stop now.

Scorpio October 23-November 21
You’re being asked to trust at a deep level, which is seldom easy for anyone, but never easy for you because you’re always keenly aware that there’s more to every story than meets the naked eye. Nevertheless, this phase is about learning to feel safe in the world—and not because you’re in control, but because you feel supported by both the visible and invisible universes.

Sagittarius November 22-December 21
The first rule of magic: Whatever you focus your attention on becomes your reality. Or as a wonderful ET couple from Sedona once taught: The universe rearranges itself to accommodate your picture of reality. Don’t miss an opportunity to make magic. Not every dream will come true. But if you focus on joy, joy will prevail—and that would be a good kind of magic.

Capricorn December 22-January 19
You’re reviewing recent history, although there are probably more than a few moments of ancient history included in this process. Don’t worry—everyone cycles through the same patterns and most of us have the Am I still doing this? moment. Mostly because most of us are unaware of just how deeply these patterns run. So just take a deep breath and keep on moving.

Aquarius January 20-February 18
It’s not easy to be a torch-bearer, lighting the way so that others can travel safely. And sometimes that role is costly, especially if there are others who don’t like what you have to say. But don’t let that stop you from being true to your heart, even if that means dealing with a difficult situation or telling the truth when others don’t want to hear it.

Pisces February 19-March 20
Expect bolts-out-of-the-blue moments of inspiration to provide a wide variety of ideas about how to improve your finances. Just don’t be fooled by a get-rich-quick scheme that could cost you more than you can risk spending. Instead, filter those money-making ideas through the cold eye of practical, tangible possibilities.

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This article was originally published on April 27, 2017.