Mercury Retrograde ended May 3, and even though it will take a couple of days for Mercury Direct to kick in, and despite several other retrograde planets—Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto—as the madness of Mercury Retrograde recedes, the regular routines of daily life find a slightly more even rhythm. And while normal isn’t likely to return any time soon, it is safe to exhale.
Nothing is normal, so please don’t confuse the absence of astral stress as a guarantee of anxiety-free days and nights—we are, after all, living in a topsy-turvy world. But there are opportunities during the coming weeks take a deep breath and replenish inner reserves.
Mercury Direct occurs with Mercury continuing its tight conjunction to Uranus, in Aries—this conjunction began on April 21 and continues until May 18. Both Mercury and Uranus are closely related to the nervous system, and when they are aligned, and especially when they share the same space, sleep patterns are disrupted and restless anxiety can fill the air. Mercury represents all things mental. Uranus signifies invention and innovation, and given the tendency for both planets to move at the speed of light, that translates into problems with concentration and focus. The good news is that Saturn also continues its trine to both Mercury and Uranus, and that grounded Saturnian energy has the power to harness the mental might of this conjunction. Saturn is the king of keepin’ it real, and that’s a bonus rather than a deterrent when it comes to taming the often wild ideas generated by the brilliant intensity of the Mercury/Uranus conjunction.
A Sun/Pluto trine begins this week, producing the potential for hard work that yields tangible results. The Sun, in Taurus, is all about a fresh, creative and fertile approach to almost any endeavor. Pluto, in Capricorn, provides the power and strength to amplify the already strong impulse of the Sun to “make it so,” and their positive alliance supplies the necessary ballast to bring some of those Mercury/Uranus/Saturn ideas to life. Use the power of this Sun/Pluto influence wisely because it can also foster the need to lead at any cost, and right now the world already has one too many despots.
I like to consult the I-Ching as well as the stars for guidance, especially in times such as these when so much is changing so rapidly that it’s hard to keep my bearings on the practice of the everyday and stay focused on the mundane tasks of simply being a spirit in a material world. For those unfamiliar with the I-Ching, it is an ancient book of Chinese wisdom that also functions as an oracle of profound accuracy. (I use the Wilhelm/Baynes translation with the forward by Carl Jung.) This week Hexagram 43 came to mind, with its excellent counsel on how to combat evil. It provides guidelines for the fight, but ends with the advice that “the best way to fight evil is to make energetic progress in the good.” That energetic progress in the good has the power to right the ship of conscious living through a myriad of opportunities to be of service and to help each other out. Whether it’s through money, time, effort, intention, or prayer, make that progress part of your daily practice throughout the coming weeks.
Sun Bursts: If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that too.
Aries March 21-April 19
As Mercury moves forward, so do you, especially through thoughtful communication with coworkers. Take the time to explain your plans and share important details. Then let your willingness to cooperate create a combined effort that moves everyone toward success. Move forward with a clear intention about what you want to accomplish and you’ll be pleased with the results.
Taurus April 20-May 20
Expect to feel good just being you—that’s right…there’s no need to do anything other than stay present and be authentic. I’m not suggesting that the streets will suddenly be paved with gold and that all your wishes will be granted. But a genuine sense of being comfortable in your own skin is worth more than all the treasures money can buy.
Gemini May 21-June 21
You’re in the driver’s seat of your own life, free from a variety of others’ expectations and assumptions as well as your own. The problem is you’re not really sure how to spread your wings. And because you’re feeling free inside and out, you may also feel uncomfortable—it’s been a long time since you felt free enough trust your hunches and have confidence in yourself. Seize this moment and make the most of it.
Cancer June 22-July 22
Mercury Direct moves you into an entirely new landscape of ideas about how to share your gifts with the world, so don’t hesitate to put your many plans into action. This powerful phase allows you to branch out and stretch into new areas that previously felt unavailable, but there’s no need to feel inhibited any longer. And as you stretch, you might be surprised to find help along the way.
Leo July 23-August 22
You continue to be in the power zone, and this week there are plenty of opportunities to expand your ideas and move into a more creative way of making decisions. So before you commit to something that’s all too familiar, take a moment to consider another alternative. You may not be as comfortable or as confident, but sometimes pushing the envelope builds creative muscle.
Virgo August 23-September 22
There have been a lot of dynamic shifts in both your internal and external worlds, and keeping up with the changes has required a lot of personal work—and sometimes that effort has simply been exhausting. I’m not suggesting that the work is over, but I am advising you to use this time to catch your breath and replenish your reserves—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.
Libra September 23-October 22
The time is ripe for conversations with significant others—personal and professional—about how to restructure your relationships so that you are able to get your needs met without denying the needs of others. Yes…you’ve been working on this for a while, but each turn through this spiral brings you closer to a self-awareness that enables you to express yourself without hesitation.
Scorpio October 23-November 21
There are opportunities to take important steps toward greater financial stability, especially if you are willing to restructure how you think about money and the role it plays in your life as well as in the life of the world. This may sound like a repetitive exercise, but sometimes repetition permits us to identify patterns that have otherwise escaped our awareness.
Sagittarius November 22-December 21
You are not as alone as you sometimes think you are, and as your week unfolds you are likely to be reminded of just how many interesting people inhabit your universe. You don’t have to make contact with everyone. This is about realizing the depth and breadth of your interests with a wide variety of fellow travelers who share similar sensibilities.
Capricorn December 22-January 19
Honor your need to hunker down at home and feather your nest. It isn’t necessary to go on a shopping spree to fulfill these urges. All that’s required is a commitment to making both your internal home—or your spiritual center—as well as your physical home a place you can return to and rest whenever you are in need of realigning yourself with what matters most.
Aquarius January 20-February 18
Be prepared for emotional conversations with significant others, personal as well as professional, and anticipate those dialogues to open up new ways of looking at old situations. You may not find a solution for each and every problem in need of a makeover, but you are likely to access a perspective that stimulates a thoughtful process that will eventually lead to practical remedies.
Pisces February 19-March 20
Those opportunities to transform your finances persist, as does your willingness to stay grounded and pragmatic about your choices. The best way to take advantage of this ongoing opportunity is to seek the counsel of an experienced financial advisor, one who is more interested in creating stability for you than accumulating fees and commissions.
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