Feb
29
Filed Under Virgo | Comments Off
Saturn in Virgo: The Lord of Karma Meets the Virgin
Sept. 3, 2007 – July 21, 2010
Saturn, the Lord of Karma, meets Virgo, the Virgin. Sounds like it’s going to be a fun couple of years. We may as well prepare ourselves with an understanding of Saturn & Virgo, because their combined energies will be deeply intermeshed within us all for the next 2.5 years. Whatever sign Saturn is in brings a focus in all of our lives regarding the sign, but for specifics one would need to consult an astrologer for how it is activating your own personal birth chart. Saturn in Virgo applies to all of us (not just Virgo’s) because we all have the complete zodiac within. The focus of this article will be the macroscopic level. It will review pertinent archetypal descriptions of Saturn & Virgo, concluding with 12 forecasted astrological trends of our social consciousness over the next 2.5 years.
Saturn: The Lord of Karma
Saturn, known as the Grim Reaper & Lord of Karma, rules Capricorn, the Sea-Goat.
Saturn stands on the threshold of Death, holding the scythe, as the Father of Time reminding us all that we are mortals and inhabitants of a physical body with limitations & boundaries. The Lord of Karma represents restriction, resistance, reality, practicality, discipline & structures (mostly conforming). The rewarding attributes of this planet involve achievement, recognition, mastery, & maturity. Being the furthest conscious-level planet in our solar system, Saturn represents the aggregation of our complete ego & our structure of consciousness. Overall, it is a very yin-natured planet and creates an infrastructure to our life, providing balance and order, as the glue to our life structure. Without it we would be overwrought with yang energy, creating chaos, disorder, anarchy and destruction. Many people consider this planet with negativity, but that is because they are not perceiving this planet holistically. Yes, Saturn can bring grueling lessons, but that is often because we are not learning a karmic lesson and are resisting evolutionary change. Saturn brings emotional pain & depression to such a deep level, that it demands our attention, so one can find the deepest strength to make transformative change and growth. It lets you know when the pain of resisting growth is greater than the fear of change, while realizing that your infrastructure & ego have been outgrown.
Saturn’s shadow creates the crystallization of our structure of consciousness, built partially from our deepest fears for a sense of control. That is where the name Lord of Karma applies, in that Saturn is a repository for some of our deepest pain and fears that must be relived to resolve the Karma. But it is through the cyclical nature of life, that we bring to consciousness our illusions regarding control & fear, to be recycled into higher forms of life. As aforementioned, Saturn represents the infrastructure of the ego and consciousness. It is built too tight or small due to early life conditioning from family & society. Our early life is a reflection of past life patterns and karma due to our deepest fears and illusory need for control. Saturn transits trigger us into inner transformation, realizing that our structure is too small or tight. The important point is that we need the infrastructure of Saturn and we must not vilify this planet, but instead allow its energies to empower us to cyclically destructure and rebuild bigger & more authentic Saturnian structures to house our evolving ego and life purpose.
Virgo: The Virgin and Goddess of Harvest
(Applies to everyone, not just Virgo’s; we all have the complete zodiac within)
Virgo is a mutable earth element, with a yin nature and is the other half of the healing axis, shared with its opposite sign Pisces. While Pisces, a water sign, represents emotional healing, Virgo corresponds with the earth element & physical healing of the body. Health interests often involve rituals that include tangible methods such as nutrition, herbs, massage and yoga. Key words describing the sign Virgo are analytical, detail-oriented, health-conscious, service-oriented & perfectionist. Virgo’s strong association with health and the body often guides many to a healing profession. While this is an admirable way to be of service, it’s important that the following adage be heeded: Healer, heal thyself. Many with strong Virgoan energy feel such a deep urge to be of service and help others, that they may skip the vital step of healing themselves. It’s pertinent to consider the concept of a Wounded Healer, in that through our own wounds and process of healing, we develop the empathy, maturity, & compassion to guide other people’s healing process in a more pure way. The sacrificing of self associated with Virgo can lead to martyrdom. It’s essential to understand that we each have the most to offer humanity when we serve from our highest level of consciousness. If we sacrifice ourselves and live out the martyr role from a sacrificed consciousness, we are not living and offering our highest and purest self. Our egos are manufacturing a service that is coming from our minds, not our hearts and souls. However, if one does the inner work and heals within, then he or she has the most to offer others and serves from their hightest capacity.
I slept & I dreamed that life is all joy.
I awoke & I saw that life is all service.
I served & I saw that service is joy. -Rabindranath Tagore
While Virgo archetype can be eager to serve, sacrificing the self, it may be lived out through a very different way, by being stifled from perfectionism and lack of self-esteem. The basis of Virgo rests on being of service to humanity in a pure & authentic way. Within this light, Virgo as an archetype, bears a very humble essence (the Servant). This humility has it’s obvious positive contributions. But the shadow side of humility can be lack of self-esteem, which can be magnified by perfectionism. This can stagnate those with prominent Virgo energy because they may not feel ready to be of service in the form truest to their capacity. They may think that they need more information, experience, or knowledge and constantly have excuses for not being ready, which ultimately can delay what they have to offer for others. Often, Virgo’s just need to transform their self-perception from lacking self-esteem & perfectionism into being humble and having compassion for self and others. If my clients are being stagnated by perfectionism, I have found myself saying: “The only thing you can do perfect, is Nothing.” In reality, we are humans and making mistakes is inherent in all that we do. The risk-taking, innovative U.S. President of the U.S., Franklin D. Roosevelt, once made a very interesting point: (paraphrased, can’t find the exact quote) The best choice is the right choice; second best: the wrong choice; and the worst choice is to do nothing at all.
So far, I explained Virgo as an individual zodiac sign. As in all signs of the zodiac, we consider the opposite sign for balance & completion. Virgo’s opposite sign is Pisces, the Fishes, a water element. By integrating these signs, we encompass a complete healing of the body, mind & soul. Pisces is associated with compassion, which aforementioned is a key factor to balancing out the Virgoan perfectionism and analytical mind. Virgo’s would benefit by opening their minds to the true meaning of perfection being wholeness. By merging all the pieces into wholeness, we transcend into the Perfect Realm of Oneness. All the morsels of mortality are inherently imperfect when dissected to pieces by the analytical mind. But when seen in light of the whole, balanced out & complete, we see that everything is perfect and where it is suppose to be in relationship to the all. Pisces reminds Virgo to swim, let go and see their perfectionism & analysis in relationship to universal oneness. This supports them in opening up their mind to intuition and emotional healing. Perhaps, a more earthly metaphor of wholeness would be better for Virgo. As the Goddess of Harvest, Virgo is reaping the millions of grains from the field into one perfect crop or harvest. The individual grains may be flawed, but the harvest is perfect & complete as a whole.
The Virgo archetype is very communicative and known for having good writing skills. By finding precise word choices, Virgo’s can be deeply reached to change their consciousness dramatically for the better. So far, I mentioned replacing the word perfection with wholeness. Another example of a positive change in word choices would be replacing approval with acceptance. Virgo’s often seek approval for self from others. By understanding the nature of universal wholeness, it makes it more digestible to accept self and others as they are through a more holistic vision.
Overall, Virgo is learning how to balance the body & mind. Often, those with this predominant energy can shift to extremes, from overworking and neglecting the body to hyper-focusing on the body at the expense of their work and responsibilities. Because this sign can tend to compartmentalize in order to complete details, Virgo’s may ignore important issues regarding body or work depending on their cycle. This is where the idea of holistic medicine and living are applicable. If they are in a workaholic phase, I often hear them saying things like, “I have been so busy with this project, that I haven’t had time to go to the gym or prepare healthy food choices.” This mindset may lead to a health crisis that overtakes their body, so that then the health becomes the primary focus, ignoring their work. They usually respond to my advice when I frame it as such: You will save time in the long run by nurturing your health and preventing a health crisis so that you have the stamina to complete the project and prevent burnout.” The bottom-line is that Virgo’s are seeking balance of the mind and body.
Ruler of Virgo: The Asteroids
Many astrologers follow the ancient zodiac model, in that Virgo shares rulership by the planet, Mercury, with Gemini. In my opinion, it’s time to evolve our interpretations of the zodiac according to the modern discoveries in our solar system. In the past, double rulerships have evolved into incompletions of the astrological model following discoveries in our solar system. For example, Jupiter had double rulership for Sagittarius & Pisces, until Neptune was discovered as the more accurate ruler of Pisces. Between Mars and Jupiter is the Asteroid Belt, which are precursors of a planet that were not able to accrete into a planet due to Jupiter’s gravitational perturbations. The 3 largest asteroids (Hygaiea, Vesta & Pallas Athena) and Dwarf Planet, Ceres, combined constitute about half the mass of the entire Asteroid Belt. Most astrologers acknowledge these bodies, giving them various rulerships to feminine signs, such as, Virgo. I will introduce a subject that will be elaborated more on in my forthcoming article: The aggregation of these asteroids constitute as one ruler for the sign, Virgo. Isn’t that just like Virgo to be ruled by a body dissected into thousands of infinitesimal pieces, being the detail-oriented sign that it is. The 4 largest celestial bodies in the Asteroid Belt correspond with Goddesses that describe 4 key sides to the mutable sign, Virgo:
1. Ceres, a Dwarf Planet (largest body in asteroid belt), is the Goddess of Grain, corresponding with Virgo as the Goddess of Harvest.
2. Vesta, an asteroid, is the Vestal Virgin or Eternal Flame/Hearth corresponding with Virgo as the Virgin.
3. Pallas Athena, an asteroid, is the Warrior Queen corresponding with another aspect of the Virgin in Virgo as a more influential side to her service or cause
4. Hygeia, an asteroid, is the Goddess of Health corresponding with Virgo’s interests in the body, health & hygiene.
All of these goddesses represent fundamental archetypal energies typified by the sign Virgo. With Saturn’s transit in Virgo over the next 2.5 years, it is time to assign a more accurate rulership to Virgo by the asteroids and place her properly in the astrological hierarchial structure (Saturn). It’s time to give Virgo the full expression of her multi-faceted nature through the variegated asteroids with more focus on her strengths and power.
Medical Astrology: Virgo’s Rulership of Small Intestine & Enteric Nervous System
The sign Virgo rules the small intestine and Enteric (digestive) Nervous System (ENS). These parts of the body will become an increased focus in healing communities and our personal physical health over the next couple of years. One of the paramount functions of the small intestine is that it is responsible for most of the nutrient absorption from our food. It’s easy to perceive the analogy of the analytical traits of Virgo and the copious mental absorption of information with the nutrient absorption of the small intestine. Because Virgo’s can take in too much information that cannot possibly be absorbed, this can mirror in the body through lack of nutrient absorption of the small intestine. It’s not only about quantity, but also related to quality of information we ingest. For example, are we watching the news every morning before going to work or spending considerable time at the computer? There are studies that show that people who do NOT watch the news have considerably less anxiety and nervous disorders in comparison to those who watch it regularly. Just like you are what you eat, you are what information you ingest. All of the information you ingest, considering both the quantity & quality directly translates to the health of your digestive system and small intestinal nutrient absorption, especially for those with predominant Virgo energy.
Saturn transiting in Virgo, will be a time for the Grim Reaper to wield the scythe and severe the fodder from our brains. Unfortunately, this may manifest as digestive disorders to get our attention and remind us, that we have limitations and need to create healthy boundaries on the information we ingest into our minds and bodies. Malabsorption disorders, such as, celiac sprue & ulcers may come more to our social consciousness over the next couple of years, especially in relationship to psycho-emotional issues. A friend of mine, who is a double Virgo, is currently setting up an endoscopy to confirm a diagnosis for her digestive symptoms as a peptic ulcer in her duodenum. Additionally, I have found that people who have a preponderance of both Virgo and Sagittarian energy, are more apt to manifest their imbalances (we all have them somewhere) through malabsorption & indigestion. Sagittarius/Jupiter rules the pancreas (insulin) and Liver (Bile) which secrete insulin/bile into the small intestine for nutrient & fat absorption. If there is any dysfunction with these secretions, it will affect directly the Small Intestine and it’s assimilation functions.
Virgo rules not only the Small Intestine, but the entire Enteric Nervous System (ENS), which is the controller of the digestive system. Technically, it is a part of the Peripheral Nervous System, but this is only by definition. The ENS does not follow command of the brain/spinal cord and in fact can choose to NOT carry out actions, suggested by the brain. It is an independent system of neural integration with approximately 100 million neurons, as many as the entire spinal cord. The ENS includes afferent/efferent neurons & interneurons, giving it the capabilities to carry out its own reflexes without input from the CNS. Studies show that if the Vagus nerve was severed, this system continues to work on it’s own.
Since the publication of the book, The Second Brain: Your Gut has a Mind of Its Own by Dr. Gerson, M.D., there has been increased research and acknowledgement of the subject, regarding the ENS as a as a second brain. Interestingly, did you know that 95% of the serotonin in the body is stored in the gut? Because this neurotransmitter is closely associated with mood and depression, plus mostly stored in the gut, we can see enormous implications regarding the mind-body connection. The concept of the gut as a as a Second Brain can be analogized to the brain in the head being the mainframe computer and the ENS being an independent microcomputer. Interestingly, the brain is protected by the Blood Brain Barrier, which some compare to the Omentum, a lining consisting of fat deposits & lymph nodes, giving it the appearance of an apron that protects abdominal contents. We’ve all heard the term, “Butterflies in the Stomach,” to explain a nervous feeling of anxiety. Our solar plexus, ruled by Virgo & Leo, is pointing to a thought-process that needs to be healed, so as to eliminate the uncomfortable symptom and prevent imbalances. Overall, there are many analogies to the mirror of the Second Brain in our guts to the one in the head. This concept is a very interesting microcosm for the astrological motto, “As Above, So Below.”
With Virgo being so closely associate with digestion & assimilation, it is palatable to understand one of the greatest gifts for Virgos to unearth within themselves: a power to sense the unseen truth with their “gut feelings.” While the water signs, such as Pisces, may experience more psychic attunements because of their fluid boundaries. Virgo’s can feel strongly in their guts a more instinctive, visceral knowing. By freeing their minds from being overly analytical, Virgo’s can connect with their natural instincts, by tapping into their “gut feelings” or “Second Brain.”
Virgo’s Healing Tools
All signs of the zodiac correspond with healing tools. Virgo corresponds with the following zodiac healing tools: Vitamins (B-complex, Probiotics); Herbs (Fennel, Camomile); Color (yellow); Chakra (3); Musical Note (C); Gemstones (Moss Agate, Blue Tourmaline, Citrine, Clear Quartz); Bach Flower Essences (Beech, Pine, Crab Apple); Aromatherapy (Cardamom, Peppermint).
Additionally, in Homeopathic Medicine, there are 10 constitutional types. Interestingly the type, Arsenicum Album “The Perfect Racehorse,” is very similar to the Virgo archetype. So, this may support a healing regimen with Homeopathic Medicine. Additionally, there are 12 Homeopathic Cell Salts with each corresponding to a zodiac sign. The cell salt, Kali Sulphuricum, has been assigned to Virgo. However, this does not mean that all Virgo’s should take this cell salt. It is suggested that the zodiac sign be considered in relationship to the overall constitution analyzed by a Homeopathic Practitioner. In general, with Virgo being of the earth element and associated with plants and the harvest, I have found that this energy usually responds better to more earthy medicines, such as herbs and nutrition, in comparison to vibrational medicine. Once again, as a reminder this is only a general statement and one’s entire birth chart would need to be considered to treat the person holistically.
Forecasted Trends for Saturn in Virgo
In overview of the Virgo archetype, we can see that it is very multi-faceted, which gives rise to her mutable nature involving detail, analysis, health, service, perfectionism. How do we reconcile this infinitesimal, mutable nature of Virgo with the limitations, boundaries, and karma of Saturn. We can start with the similarities: Saturn and Virgo are both yin and of the earth element. So they can agree on their practical, sensible, and predilections for organization and order. Saturn represents the infrastructure, the bigger plan and life ambitions/goals. Virgo provides the detail within the infrastructure, carrying out the daily routines to support the bigger plan (Saturn). However, on the shadow side, both can be too controlling. Both need to balance their earthy elements with the complementary element, water. Reconciling & balancing the archetypal energies of Saturn and Virgo will be a significant trend and focus of our social consciousness. Here is a synopsis of 12 forecasted astrological trends over the next 2.5 years:
1. Saturn wields the scythe, weeding out extraneous details of an (imbalanced) Virgoan nature, for increased focus and discipline to achieve our goals and mastery.
Virgo can get scattered through dissecting and compartmentalizing things into perfect little boxes & detail. Saturn in Virgo is here to say, let’s get focused and what’s the bigger picture and goals? Where have you overscheduled your calendar with things so as to dissipate your power and focus? What are you here to master? How are you squandering your energy on minutiae and losing sight of the larger picture regarding goals and mastery? Saturn, the Grim Reaper, is here to remind us that we are mortals and that we have limitation with our time, bodies and energy expended. Saturn will take this time to use the scythe and cut through our lives to eliminate that which is not part of our purpose and mastery. This scythe may manifest as health problems, from stress and over exertion to enforce us to focus our energy in a healthier way, which will provide us with the stamina to fulfill our goals & life mastery.
2. Saturn reminds us of the limitations of the body and urges Virgo to find a harmonious balance between body and mind/work.
Both Saturn & Virgo are of the earth element and embody life lessons. Saturn will bring us to focus on Virgo concerns of health, leading us to make changes in our life that promote good health and more balanced lives. For example, does your job involve being in a cubicle all day with no windows? Does it involve a lot of stress? Is your job aligned with you vocational purpose and personal values? How we spend our energy directly affects our health and this will be at the forefront of the universal consciousness over the next couple of years.
3. In the healing professions, there will be an increased focus on the Small Intestine and Enteric (Digestive) Nervous System in relationship to our mind and stress. As explained above, Virgo rules the Small Intestine and Enerteric (Digestive) Nervous System. Overall, at the social level there will be more attention towards the mind-body connection in relationship to health & disease.
4. In the world of healing, there will be increased focus on the Virgoan earthy, healing modalities, such as, herbs, yoga, nutrition, neutraceuticals & exercise. In western medicine there will be increased research and attention on the pharmaceutical structures of herbs. Additonally, there will be more research and cultivation of transplanting Chinese Herbs in the U.S. and recognition of eastern herbs in both an eastern & western context.
5. In the healing professions, there will be increased visitations from patients with strong Virgo energy. This is especially evident regarding those with the Virgo sun sign, since the sun represents our life force & vitality. Whereever Saturn goes in the zodiac, there are lessons regarding limitation, aging/maturity and responsibilties often in relationship to the physical body.
6. Individually, we will all be healing any issues regarding lack of self-esteem and perfectionism.
7. The universal consciousness will better come to realize the “Paralysis of Analysis,” provoking all of us to discover our individual powers for accessing knowledge/wisdom outside of our heads, through psychic intuition or instinctive gut feelings. We will also come to a better understanding regarding the illusion of control and the reality of unseen phenomenon supporting our plan.
8. There will be a deep impetus within all of us to align ourselves with a meaningful service, so that we can serve humanity from our highest capacity.
9. All of us will be challenged to discern where we are most sacrificing ourselves in our life, especially regarding issues affecting health.
10. Since Virgo is a zodiac sign of healing, we will be healing Saturn issues, which are always at the core of our karma.
Our Saturn issues are reflected in the zodiac sign, Capricorn, of which Saturn rules. In modern astrology, people often refer to Capricorn as merely a mountain goat. It’s important to remember that when astrology originated during the Matriarchial Period, Capricorn was a yin-natured, feminine energy symbolized by a Sea-goat with dolphin’s fins. Thus, the Capricornian Sea-goat was able to swim in the ocean and climb the mountain. The higher side of Saturn involves remembering to use the fins of the Sea-goat and swim to let go. Saturn issues regard attachment to the illusion of being in “control” and the goals/outcome. It’s important that we allow ourselves to let go and trust the process according to the higher plan. And remember, the end does NOT justify the means. I believe in a balance between destiny (Yin) and Free Will (Yang). Our Saturn issues involve finding this balance metaphorically through the mountain and ocean.
11. There will be more of a focus on grounding and mastering (Saturn) the Physical Plane (Saturn & Virgo).
12. In the world of Astrology, Virgo will begin to find her proper place in the zodiacal hierarchy, as being ruled by the celestial bodies in the Asteroid Belt, especially the 4 largest: Ceres, Pallas Athena, Vesta & Hygeia. This concept is explained more fully above in the section on asteroids.
Jan
31
Filed Under Eclipses, Moon Cycles | Comments Off
The Cyclical Nature of the Moon & Eclipses
Moon Cycles
An easy place to begin working with astrology is to simply attune oneself to the moon’s monthly cycles. The affect of the moon on our emotions is evident to even most astrological skeptics. After all, the moon obviously affects our ocean’s tide, and humans consist of approx 70% water. In astrology, the water element represents the unconscious and emotions. So the moon reflects on us as an emotional barometer illuminating the ebb and flow of our moods and emotions.
Every 28 days the moon completes a cycle. The new or dark moon marks the beginning of the cycle and waxing period that lasts for half of the cycle or 2 weeks. Likewise this is a good time to begin new projects in life, with the waxing of the moon representing a growth period. At 2 weeks, the moon is full, symbolizing an ending or culmination point. The full moon is an ideal time for letting go of emotional attachments or issues from the past (important for the fixed signs: Taurus, Leo & Scorpio). The 2 weeks following the full moon, the moon wanes, indicating it is the best time for completing projects or unfinished business.
Solar and Lunar Eclipses
Eclipses are a powerful time when the status quo is shaken up, and we are directed to change and grow in an unexpected way. The solar and lunar eclipses always come together as a pair, about 2 weeks apart. They cyclically happen 2 times per year, about 6 months apart.
The eclipses are like magnified moon cycles. The solar eclipse occurs when the moon stands between the sun and earth, cutting off the light of the sun. It always involves a new moon and indicates new beginnings. The lunar eclipse occurs when Earth stands between Moon and Sun, cutting off sun light from the moon. It always involves a full moon and illuminates endings or culmination points. It’s best to utilize these paired eclipses in a balanced way, realizing that one must let go of what’s been outgrown, to make room for the expansion and new growth.
Eclipse Tips
1. Eclipses bring news or significant events in your life, that bring you forward.
2. Always give special attention to signs or messages received around the eclipses.
3. As mentioned above, Solar Eclipses bring new beginnings and Lunar Eclipses bring endings or culmination points. There is no exact length of time that the effects from eclipses last. My experience is that the continuum of letting go the outgrown and aligning with the new direction is a significant influence in one’s life until the next eclipse, 6 months later.
4. For information on how eclipses specifically effect an individual, it is interpreted from their astrological birth chart. General facts, such as the dates and degrees of signs only explain circumstances at the macrocosmic level.
5. Try not to make any big changes or react immediately to circumstances under an eclipse. Give at least a week to contemplate and be sure that you have all the information necessary to make decisions or act in the most beneficial way.
6. You will be more emotional, especially around the lunar eclipse. This is another reason to avoid being reactive and wait until you can respond to any situation or news with clarity and good judgment.
7. Eclipses turn light within, illuminating awareness about unknown parts of yourself.
8. If an eclipse is on your birthday, you will have a very significant year making profound changes in areas emphasized in astrological birth chart.
9. Take extra care of your health if an eclipse is on your birthday or rising degree.You will have less energy than usual.
10. Eclipses play with your sense of time. Sometimes they bring situations that you thought were months or even years away to you now.
Dec
31
Filed Under Mercury Retrograde | Comments Off
The Return of Mercury Retrograde
(Three Times Per Year)
In the Egyptian Emerald Tablets of Thoth, there is an ancient truth that is popularly associated with astrology: “As Above, So Below.” According to myth, Thoth was an Atlantean Priest-King, who founded a colony in ancient Egypt and wrote the Emerald Tablets. The Emerald Tablets were the primary source for wisdom taught in the Mystery Schools of Egypt. These writings were passed down to ancient Greece and used in the teachings of Plato and the Hermetic tradition. The Roman God, Mercury, is the counterpart for the Greek God, Hermes, and the Egyptian Thoth (author of Emerald Tablets).
The rich mythology of Mercury & Thoth (his Egyptian counterpart) explains the practical and mystical sides of this planet’s archetypes as the magician, messenger, and healer in all of us. With these important roles in mind, it’s understandable why we are so strongly affected when Mercury goes retrograde. This article discusses the opportunities and challenges to us “below.” when the planet, Mercury, appears backwards or retrograde “above.”
What is Mercury Retrograde?
Mercury Retrograde is one of the most misunderstood phenomena in astrology. Most people consider it as merely a dysfunctional time period when communication and transportation go amok. This article attempts to explain the reasons behind these seemingly unfortunate manifestations during Mercury Retrograde and how we can avoid them. Additionally, it discusses ways to potentially utilize this period as a productive, creative and even healing time, if worked with congruently. The Roman God, Mercury, was considered the Messenger of the Gods, and in astrology he represents our left (logical) brain and how we process information. Metaphorically, Mercury is our telephone/computer network, connecting us to everything in a cohesive communication system.
Mercury goes retrograde 3 times per year, and each period lasts for about 3 weeks. It happens when Mercury is closest to earth in its cycle around the sun and appears to be going backwards in the sky. “Going backwards,” How can we translate this as positive? Simply, consider doing things that start with “Re”: reevaluate, review, reconsider, reintegrate, resolve, reorganize, reflect, research. The message of this period is to slow down and catch up with unfinished business. Here are some tips on how to best ride the wave of Mercury Retrograde:
12 Simple Do’s & Don’ts for the Mercury Retrograde Period
- Do finish old business and Don’t begin new projects
- Do hold final decisions/approval until Mercury goes direct
- Do remember those “Re” verbs when taking action, such as, reevaluate, review, reintegrate, reconsider, resolve, reorganize, reflect or research.
- Don’t sign any contracts, leases, or legally binding paperwork
- Don’t mail any important documents, such as taxes or contracts
- Don’t have any major surgeries or repair work done
- Do recheck and reconfirm for accuracy, while paying special attention to details
- Do expect changes in plans, delays (this includes domestic travel) & indecisions
- Do reflect on the power of communication in your life and how to enrich it
- Do be alert to any miscommunication (written or oral) between yourself & others
- Do be prepared for problems with communicative technology, such as, computers & telephones
- Do resolve to heal the mind with methods, such as, Theta Healing, hypnotherapy, creative visualization, saying affirmations, or journal-writing
Many problems incurred during Mercury Retrograde are largely due to our lack of awareness about the true meaning of it. We blindly forge ahead, continuing our western paces and progressive natures. To ignore Mercury Retrograde is like swimming upstream or going against the tide. Ultimately, if we would take this Yin period to reevaluate our Yang or active periods, we would be more productive and creative overall. An exception to this is those who have Mercury Retrograde in their natal chart. During Mercury Retrograde, things may actually fall into place for them, while everything around them is scattered. It’s also important to realize that Mercury rules the signs Gemini and Virgo. So individuals with an emphasis in either of these 2 signs in their birth chart can expect to be more strongly influenced by these periods.
Additionally, during this period we can expect changes in plans, delays and “indecision.” This is a good example of how an “indecision” may actually facilitate the best outcome. Let’s say you don’t have the complete information, and this “indecision” delays you until that missing piece of the puzzle appears, to make the best decision. Perhaps, it’s better to view this period as a great time for being in the decision-making process, with final decisions being held until Mercury goes direct again. The inevitable changes and delays during Mercury Retrograde remind us to be flexible and let go of mental attachments that may be blocking better ideas or solutions.
Mercury Retrograde Period – Time for Healing
Something often overlooked is Mercury’s connection to healing. After all, he did carry the Caduceus, the herald’s staff with wings and 2 entwined snakes, that has become the universal emblem for healing.
In Medical Astrology, Gemini corresponds to the Respiratory and Nervous Systems, as well as the upper limbs, while Virgo relates to the Small Intestine. As mentioned above, Gemini and Virgo are under co-rulership of Mercury; so that is why these 2 signs are emphasized during Mercury Retrograde Periods. (We all have the 12 zodiac signs and Mercury within us, so this relates to everyone.) This time could be therapeutically used to reevaluate the amount and quality of information we are assimilating. Is it excessive or negative, so that it stresses our Nervous System? Are we overworking at the computer and developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Are our mental activities overtaxing the body activating chronic issues with allergies or asthma? Or is our information intake so overwhelming that we can’t assimilate it all, transferring physically to lack of nutrient assimilation by the Small Intestine?
When Mercury is Retrograde, it’s a conducive time to reflect on the power of communication in our lives, as a link between spirit and matter. Are we not speaking up and eating, smoking or drinking our words metaphorically through unhealthy addictions? There is a tremendous healing power from self-expression, that can help many people let go and liberate themselves from destructive patterns. This is a great time to reevaluate how our thought patterns create our reality. Are we too critical on ourselves or self-sabotaging through negative self-talk? Additionally, how do our thoughts affect our emotional homeostasis and, thus, our health through pshyco-emotional symptoms in the body. As the link between spirit and matter, Mercury represents the magician in us all, devising magic spells, i.e. divine language and rhythms to manifest magic in the physical world. Thus, this is a good time to reassess the power of our thoughts, and how they can facilitate our dreams coming true. A person may particularly benefit by getting hypnotherapy or doing mental exercises/affirmations to heal the mind. Additionally, it’s a powerful time to do prayers and/or rituals to help create positive circumstances when Mercury goes direct again.
One can apply the Mercury Retrograde Period spiritually toward the universal Spiral Process: to reach the higher level of the spiral, one must return to end where you began and begin again where you ended. Just a reminder that we have the universal spiral symbols in our DNA, the Milky Way Galaxy, Nautilus Shell, and Mercury’s Caduceus (entwined snakes) as templates for our evolution. Perhaps, Mercury Retrograde Periods facilitate our spiral process through change, crisis and healing-elevating us to higher levels of our spiritual path and ultimate life purpose.
Two Phases of Mercury Retrograde Period
The Mercury Retrograde Period (approx. 3 weeks) is divided into 2 phases: the first and second halves. To use these periods effectively, spend the first half completing unfinished business and the second half planning for future action. Then, after Mercury goes direct again, you can act on your plans. It’s best to use the 5 days before and after Mercury Retrograde as buffer periods, understanding that static is in the air because of transition.
Mercury Retrograde in the Birth Chart
Since Mercury goes retrograde about 9-10 weeks per year, approximately 18% of the population have Mercury Retrograde in their astrological birth charts. Any planet that is retrograde represents a function of the personality that goes against the flow of mainstream or social tides. There are benefits and challenges to this. With Mercury retrograde, a person is not satisfied with social paradigms and surface explanations. These people often feel the need to introspect and go deeper for answers. The challenge of this is often slower mental processing. In our culture, this may be misconstrued as these people being less intelligent.
In our cultural school systems, it is apparent how struggles may arise for people with Mercury Retrograde in their birth chart, needing to keep up the pace with mainstream education. One of my astrology teachers, Jeffrey Wolf Green, went as far to say that there should be special schools for students with Mercury Retrograde in their birth charts. Who knows how many “learning disabilities” have been labeled due to this unique and potentially extraordinary way of thinking? This is a great example of how the astrology chart can be a powerful tool to increase our self-awareness.
It’s important to realize that having either Mercury Retrograde or Direct is neither one better than the other. They are just 2 different ways of mentally functioning. Plus, the context of the entire chart needs to be considered in relationship to Mercury. Other areas of the chart may either offset or reinforce the characteristics of these 2 modes of processing. However, I want to make a special point of supporting Mercury Retrograde individuals to develop confidence in attuning themselves to their authentic process, that may require slowing down and going deeper. The following are examples of famous people born when Mercury was retrograde: Ralph Nadar, Mozart, Howard Hughes, Alfred Adler and Nostradames. This is to reinforce my point that having Mercury Retrograde in your birth chart is not negative. It may even signify extraordinary mental qualities, that go against the mainstream and discover new ways of thinking.