Week of 16-22nd of July, 2012
It is official: Mercury is retrograde and there is no doubt about it. But this was not the entire story... The planets in motion triggered bells and whistles matched only by the decibels of the Beijing Opera! Hard to miss at times, read on...
We probably spent the weekend caught in the crossfire of the carefree Gemini Moon encouraging us to have fun, be lighthearted and joyful and a mood damper caused by a quick (and painful) square from the Sun in Cancer to the duty bound, “watch-what-you-are-doing” Saturn.
Also this weekend, the retrograde (turn backwards) of both Uranus and Mercury tempered (thankfully!) by sweet Venus, made headlines in the world of Astrology.
With Uranus the news is not at all bad. This electrifying planet started backing up on Friday, July 13 and won't return to forward motion until mid-December. While some revolutionary plans may be put on hold, this gives us more time to review our Uranian needs for freedom and originality so we can refine them to make our lives more exciting.
Mercury turned retrograde a few hours later in the sign of majestic, proud and dramatic Leo, encouraging us to express ourselves in every way we can, giving us a chance to enthusiastically tap into our own powers of invention, persuasion and expressivity, to do things we would never dare otherwise. On the flip side, watch for melodramatic scenes right out of a fiction novel and the usual snafus of delayed travel plans, missed buses, temperamental cars and computers. Don't say I did not warn you!
This week starts with a void of course Moon heading (slowly!) towards the sign of Cancer (5:30 p.m. EST/8:30 p.m.PST). During this limbo period, do not jump right in to start new projects and endeavours even though it is Monday. Instead, use that Monday energy into vigorously attacking and clearing odds and ends in preparation for Thursday's New Moon energy and a new lease on life.
The New Moon, a powerful force any time of the year and in any sign, is even more potent this time as it happens in the sign of Cancer, where the Moon is home, so to speak. Generally the Moon governs (and affects) our emotional landscape, women, relationships with women, the unconscious, dreams, hopes and visions. The New Moon usually cleans the slate for a new beginning, makes all of the above new again, or at least gives us a chance to make it new. And that is a good thing.
Here are both your Mercury Retrograde and weekly horoscope prepared for you so you do not miss the astrological beat.
ARIES
With Mercury Retrograde retrograde in your 5th House of Creativity and Play (and Romance) you are politely invited to slightly temper your proverbial sparkling enthusiasm about meeting new people (unless you are a VERY good judge of characters) . You are also invited to look behind the curtains of every annoying mishap in planning, the Universe has a way to surprise us with incredibly pleasant outcomes of missed opportunities. Not bad at all....
Use that proverbial keen wit of yours to keep communications clear, your comments interesting (not clever!) and surround your words with (some say, much needed) diplomacy:)
This week, many things will seem repetitive and unoriginal. In fact it is just another perspective you are invited to ponder. My advice? If a situation seems 'same old, same old”, change the outcome!
TAURUS
With Mercury retrograde in your 4th House of Home and Security, we might say it kind of hits you where it worries you most. You have a need for esthetic beauty but it is the practical side of life that remains your forte (and bone of contention at times). As I warned you last week, people you live or associate with closely might not be the picture of perfection but since you allowed them to be part of your life (or space) you should at least attempt to see their point of view. Or at least remember that they are there by permission: yours. Being a little dictator at home, does not guarantee peace will be restored your way. If you think you could use more peace of mind and comfort right now, by all means create boundaries and reinforce them rather than digging up into your heels and not seeing the forest for the tree.
Communicate your needs this week, while the Moon approaches its apex in your 3rd House of Daily Routines, clear your schedule, try to become more efficient and organized on a daily basis and walk on the sunny side of your life. And if you need yet more money...find a new and creative way to generate them. Something that does not involve...others.
GEMINI
Well, dear Gemini. Do not complain this week and anytime during the Mercury Retrograde phase. This is your own Master and Commander we are talking about and if there is any sign in the entire zodiac that knows how to deal with its quirks it is you. It is like fighting your best friend ...or your nemesis. You will try (and succeed!) to outwit, outsmart and outlast Mercury this time by turning the sour lemons of breakdowns in technology, communications and transportation into a step towards creative problem solving.
Because quicksilver Mercury is your sign's ruling planet, you are not doing bad every time Mercury goes retrograde. This time, it will affect activities that fall in your 3rd House of Communication, Technology and Transportation therefore patience is required. Patience, something you are not known to have most of the time. But you are inventive and clever and I know you'll handle everything that comes your way with ease.
The Moon is New in your 2nd House of Money and Possessions, take account and make an inventory of what you own, owe and move on. You are positioned better than you think but there is always room for improvement.
CANCER
Besides being tender and loving, Cancer, few people know you are a good accountant and money manager and you like having your nest egg (or several of them) untouched by the vicissitudes of life, most of the time dreaming not to be in the position to actually use it at all. Well.... Mercury is now retrograde in your 2nd House of Money and Material Worth and that is a double blessing in fact. On one side, you are invited to check your sources of income for ...flow errors. A silly error on your part, a larger than needed recent expense (perhaps an eccentric one) will have you worry about your fate, future security and wellbeing...please, do not start making mountains out of molehills though. The New Moon in your sign this coming Thursday will give you the golden opportunity to put things right by getting more organized and methodical in the way you earn and save money....your money, that is, not other people’s (you like money coming from other people).
And on another note, the same mischief making period will give you a chance to re-think the way you understand SELF WORTH...yours, I mean. Here is a clue for you: it is not about the money.
LEO
Your preference (read need!) to be in the spotlight is no news to anyone remotely acquainted with your regal demeanour, pride and propensity for the dramatic. With Mercury now retrograde in your sign in your 1st House of Self- Expression, Personality and Self-Image, you might become self-conscious even without any input from the outside world. You may wonder if the image you present to the world is savvy enough, brilliant enough, fashionable enough to match your own view of yourself. Well, Mercury retro period is giving you the chance to make changes on the outside and on the inside as well. Shape down (the opposite of shape up) your rhetoric by giving in to honest, heart felt communication. Tell people you trust how you actually feel without embellishment, disguises and "faux semblables". People will see the vulnerable you (at last!) and will feel more comfortable around you.
With the New Moon in your 12th House of Endings and New Beginnings, you have a golden opportunity to do just that, reinvent yourself. Something in the way you think about you and what you deserve stands in the way and must be removed. Authenticity is in, arrogance and disguises are out. Do not hesitate to enlist the help of sincere and devoted fans/friends while you are at it.
VIRGO
Virgos, you have a special connection to Mercury, because this brainy agile planet is your sign's ruler (as well as Gemini's). This retrograde is happening in your dreaded 12th House of Unconscious Processes, Endings and New Beginnings and it will wreak havoc to your mental agility, choices and therefore, your peace of mind. Navigating this period with a smile will prove an undounting challenge at times. Your mind will wander off, miss the point and the mark and give you another jolt of fear of inadequacy. My advice? Don't beat yourself up. Just start making "it" (whatever that may be) better, in small increments and on your own without expecting someone else's help (and then criticize them to no end for not being efficient enough clearing your mess).
The New Moon in your 3rd House of Daily Routines will give you a clean slate to work with. Clear the debris of clutter in your home and workplace, throw unnecessary projects to the dumpster without regrets and become more efficient in your job, home life and the way to manage them all. The way you live is a reflection of yourself, it is the way you are! Don't you want your environment to reflect YOU?
LIBRA
Dear Libra, I wish I could tell you everything will be alright....actually I know I will tell you that and you need to hear it more than ever. With Mercury retrograde in your 11th House of Others, your desire for peace, harmony on Earth and in your world will be difficult to preserve. You are caught in the crossfire of so many cosmic aspects it is not even worth reminding you. You already know and feel the challenges, you are engulfed by them yet bravely soldier on towards finding solutions, appease people and coworkers, meet difficult (if not impossible) demands and maintaining peace.
Sometimes it gets even tougher when you forget( or worse), loose yourself in other people's demands to the point of draining your resources, energy and goodwill for years to come. This period for you is about SELFpreservation, Libra. Don't loose sight of your goals, your health and well-being and what you really want this time. You have to put up many fires right now courtesy of Saturn continuing its hard lessons cycle in your sign. Whoever understands that, will respect your limits and come by your side with real and genuine help and support (you have been there for them for a lifetime!). The others should be told politely to get out of the way.
SCORPIO
Recent setbacks and annoying changes in status have rattled your nerves a bit, Scorpio.
You strive for excellence in everything you do and you find the appreciation of those around a much needed recognition. It helps you grow with a healthy self-esteem. (who wouldn't?). I wish I could tell you that you will get the recognition you deserve this Mercury Retrograde period but other cosmic battles are fought in the same time and you may not find that perfect balance between excellence and recognition. Mercury is retrograde in your 10th House of Career and Status, so expect frustration to build up a bit, especially if you are hunting for a new career or a better place in your company. There will be delays but most probably it will be you (yes, you!) a fixed sign as it were, lacking the ability to adjust, adapt and generally speaking seeing the bright side of things.
My advice? Don't do that. The essence of life, our life, is change, nothing stays or should stay the same. Do not be afraid of change, because if there is any sign capable to completely start anew, from the ashes if necessary, it is you, Scorpio.
The New Moon in your 7th House of Partnership is the right time to reinforce the ties that bind you to your mate.
SAGITTARIUS
How do you manage to navigate unscathed and at high speeds through the cosmic landmines Sagittarius? Is it your proverbial enthusiasm and optimism that makes you ready for the new, the adventurous and the social?
I think you will agree this is a cliche. You are more than a social butterfly, superficially jumping over life's hurdles with innocent insoussiance. You have your moments of depth and calm and solitary reflection but this is not one of them...I know you just breathed a sigh of relief. This Mercury Retrograde happens in your 9th House of Expansion and Travel. On one hand you are ready to take flight (literally) and enjoy the crazy days of summer with the help of an unexpected jolt to your resources ( did your spouse get a raise or bonus? did your manager decide to reward you for your previously unrecognized performance?) courtesy of a bright New Moon in your 8th House of Other People's Money. On the other hand, there is something in the air, something you can not pinpoint that makes you rethink (and sometimes even abandon) fun and frolic in favour of bringing more order into your many projects and life in general. You can not do both, Sagittarius and expect to do them well. But, whatever you decide, use your unbriddled enthusiasm, forge ahead and make it happen...one thing at a time.
CAPRICORN
If anyone can survive apparently intact a Cosmic cross, a Mercury Retrograde and a Full Moon all in a few days' span, it is you Capricorn. While Mercury is retrograding through your 8th House of Intimacy (sex and taxes, a weird combination but this is how it goes), you have a chance to shed a spotlight on and re-evaluate the importance of intimacy. \Maybe even attempt to define it. I know, I am again reminding you about your feelings. And with good cause, I should say. Turn your interest in discovering your "intimacy potential" this retro period. Tap into your side that allows you to be more vulnerable, softer and gentler. You will be amazed how easy it is to be ...yourself. With yourself and others. Because there is power in opening up to your mate or loved ones, to a dear friend who knows you inside out or to yourself. In doing so, you will become, paradoxically, even more powerful. And you like that:).
The New Moon is happening in your 7th House of Partnership...start with your mate or with the one closest to your heart.
AQUARIUS
You might think that you dealt with your past in clear and uncompromising ways, however, Mercury's retrograde in your 7th House of Partnership could change your mind (not in the best of ways at times). If you are unattached (and even if you are...weirder things have happened) there is strong possibility that you may have to deal with someone from your past. People from our past reappear into our lives briefly, to remind us why we parted ways to begin with. It is not the joyful, tear-filled reunion that I am talking about, even though in rare occasions that might happen too. It is the brief glimpse that renews your resolve and makes you even stronger in the belief that you made the separation choice for the right reasons. Do not give in to guilt or remorse, or re-settle for "old times sake". Remember, nothing changed with the other person, but you did/should...change. In rare occasions, you may be tempted yourself to revisit an old relationship (for whatever reason, mostly fear of change). Stop right there! Remember and honour the good old times and move on, there is no guarantee your heart will not get broken again. My advice? Keep clear of sentimental outbursts, yours and others. This is a test of the Universe to check your resolve and realism.
The Moon will be New on Thursday in your 6th House of Health, a chance to put aside your worries (real or imaginary) about your physical wellbeing. You are just fine.
PISCES
This week will not help clear your head and intentions as much as you'd wish, dear Pisces. Mercury is retrograding in your 6th House of Daily Routine and Health and is prompting you to first review your daily schedule and how you spend precious time of your life every day. You had a tendency lately to loose yourself in other people's routines while forgetting about your priorities. Being of service is one thing and becoming a workable appendix for someone else quite another. Get your life, or at least your daily time back. And on another topic: check back with your doctor on an old issue left in suspence. Not that there is anything wrong, just that you may have defaulted on your treatment or worse, acted against it with some unpleasant consequences down the road. My advice? Changing the way you function daily must start with establishing once and for all where your home base is, how much of family time is detrimental to your need for solitary regeneration and how much is too much in general. Stop running in circles believing you are doing valuable service and wasting your life. Respect your valuable time and others will do too. Those who really love you, will understand that.
The New Moon shines brightly in your 5th House of Romance this coming Thursday and it gives you more reason to believe in love. But with all the retrograde planets now taking center stage and Neptune, your ruler still hovering over in Pisces, it will be easy to fall prey to your own illusions. Keep your heart closer to your circumstances not your dreams.