Doesn’t it seem as if this Mercury Retrograde has a peculiar time signature? On one hand, it’s definitely a retro-mess of communication snafus—a file I was working with disappeared from my screen in the blink of an eye and couldn’t be found anywhere. Yet on the other hand, some aspects of life are moving so swiftly they’ve become a blur—one minute it’s 9 o’clock in the morning and the next, it’s 11:30 AM, and a plan for action was conceived, agreed upon, and enacted before lunch.
Old friends, distant for many moons, suddenly appear as if no time has elapsed, and new friends, made in an instant, seem closer than they ought to be—and no drugs were shared. The time warp feels so strange I find myself humming “You’ve got to pick up every stitch,” but it’s still two weeks away from Halloween, which is the actual season of the witch; I can only surmise that it must be the season of the eclipse, that time of year when shadows wobble the world.
The source of the current time distortion is a combination of Mercury Retrograde as well as our current position between two eclipses, the lunar eclipse of October 8, 2014 and the solar eclipse of October 23. Eclipses occur at precise intervals, but even though they are predictable, they are nevertheless unnerving. That’s probably because eclipses focus attention on shadows, especially solar eclipses, when the Moon overrides the Sun and unconscious patterns obscure conscious choices. Of course, not every conscious, pragmatic concern takes a back seat during this wobbling eclipse phase. But emotional themes, intentional or impulsive, tend to dominate during the six-week before-and-after period of a solar eclipse. It might be worthwhile to observe yourself and others during this time if only to see what, if anything, arises from unconscious internal reservoirs and insinuates itself into daily consciousness. Unconscious forces are usually revealed through dreams. But children are often the vessels for powerful unconscious forces and during eclipses they give voice to the feelings no one else is expressing.
We are at the mid-point of the last Mercury Retrograde of 2014—only ten more days to go, which means only ten more days to review, reflect, and reconsider plans already in motion or cull through the details of projects you would like to initiate once the retrograde is over. Remember, Mercury Retrograde is not the devil, even if it feels like the devil when files disappear in a cloud puff and smartphones turn dumb.
For the next ten days, you can jump to the left and step to the right, but clarity is still the key to navigating the madness of a Mercury Retrograde and eclipse time warp. Use that clarity to prioritize your time and efforts, but also to bolster your patience.
Sun Bursts: If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that, too.
Aries March 21-April 19
Mercury Retrograde continues the emphasis on relationships, so don’t be surprised if your social calendar is filled to capacity with meetings and engagements with significant others, past, present, and possibly future. Rather than resent the constant activity, take a deep breath and dive in.
Taurus April 20-May 20
You could experience this retrograde phase as a work review, but it could just as easily manifest as a health review—or both. Either way, use this time to reflect on habits and routines that would benefit from conscious rehabilitation and refinement.
Gemini May 21-June 21
It actually is a mixed-up, muddled-up, shook-up world, but I wouldn’t let that stop you from being hopeful about an eventual positive outcome. There are some things you can’t “fix” but there are things you can refine, especially if you’re willing to let go of tight control over the outcome.
Cancer June 22-July 22
You don’t like turmoil at home—there has to be some place that’s absolutely safe from the outside tumult. Unfortunately, Mercury Retrograde isn’t doing a very good job of keeping still. Rather than resent its presence, use Mercury to uncover new ways of creating security.
Leo July 23-August 22
Conversations and communications with family, friends, and neighbors, whether past, present, or perhaps future, have immediate consequences. Listen carefully to what’s being said but rather than reply impulsively, try to filter your reactions before you speak. This is not about holding back; it’s about applying wisdom.
Virgo August 23-September 22
Envision the possibility that old patterns of low self-esteem are being transformed by new, vital information, and that instead of facing an ongoing financial crisis, you’re rearranging money matters through a new view with up-to-date information that will help you make better choices.
Libra September 23-October 22
You’re in the process of synthesizing volumes of disparate information, and to your credit, Mercury Retrograde is assisting this process. Leave no stone unturned in your effort to make sense of this question: How do you navigate a relationship without either person getting lost?
Scorpio October 23-November 21
Mercury generates its own stimulus package as it retrogrades through the sector of your solar chart designated the “terrain of the unconscious.” Anticipate broadcast overload through dreams or in your meditation, and even though you may already be too tuned in, Mercury will deliver vital and useful information.
Sagittarius November 22-December 21
Try not to be alarmed if you are feeling stretched so thin that even casual conversation feels effortful. Instead of pushing through, give yourself a much needed rest—all the conversations that need to happen will be waiting for you when you’re finally ready to talk.
Capricorn December 22-January 19
It’s not always easy for someone like you who likes things to be neat and tidy—even if they are a mess. Unfortunately, Mercury is messin’ with your systems and you’ve had to spend too much time cleaning things up. Trust the delays; you might discover something valuable that was mistakenly discarded.
Aquarius January 20-February 18
Some of your tried and true beliefs are being challenged by reality, and you’re forced to reexamine several ideas you take for granted. You can call it a crisis of faith or you can call it an opportunity to reaffirm what matters to you and why.
Pisces February 19-March 20
Mercury Retrograde is stimulating a deep process of personal transformation, and that process could cause a fair degree of discomfort. Rather than getting swept away by the tumult, do your best to hold your ground. Staying centered will allow you to discern where you need to grow next.
Ralfee Finn specializes in Transformational Astrology. For readings, call 1-888-937-9264, write P.O. Box 343, New York, NY 10025, visit AquariumAge.com, or e-mail ralfee@aquariumage.com.
Copyright © 2014 by Ralfee Finn