Retrogrades, Eclipses and...What Else?!

Congratulations for making it through the summer eclipses—well, through those preliminary “initiations,” anyway. I know many of you felt them personally and palpably. That first full moon lunar eclipse at 15º Sagittarius followed by the new moon solar eclipse at 0º Cancer and just this past weekend, the “bonus” lunar eclipse at 13º Capricorn, were real doozies.  
 
What came out of hiding for you? What truths, convenient or otherwise, were revealed? What layers of your psyche got peeled back? Eclipses set up energetic frequencies that can linger for up to six months, depending on what they activate in your chart and your own sensitivity, attunement and, frankly, readiness. So the real question I want to ask you is, Now what?!
 
People always want to know what astrological positions, aspects and transits mean, which invariably leads to me saying: We can’t just look up the “answer” in the “teacher’s guide.” Real astrology isn’t grasped by memorizing a bunch of static facts and rote replies. While planets, signs, houses, aspects and transits do have specific associations, there’s a universe (a multiverse!) of possible “translations.” Learning everything that could be the case is the “science” of astrology; sensing what’s true for that person is the “art,” and a good astrologer blends the two.
 
Right now, five planets are retrograde: Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Pluto (soon to be followed by Chiron, Uranus and Mars). In direct motion, planets are associated with certain energies and vibrations. In reverse, the energies can feel diluted, hard to tap into or even distorted.

I invite you to practice “tuning in” to the different planets and sensing their “role” in your life. It helps to know which sign and house they occupy in your birth chart because, e.g., Mars in Capricorn in the tenth house is about professional ambition whereas Mars in Libra in the twelfth might be more of a dreamer or artist (including of the “escape” variety).
 
Try to “feel” the energy of Mercury… which is retrograde until Sunday. This week, the winged messenger will be at 7-5º Cancer. Mercury rules thought, analysis, communication, social interaction, communities and neighbors, siblings, local travel and transportation. (And so much more! Everything it rules spans 12 pages in the “rulership bible.”)

But the mental planet doesn’t express itself so well in emotional Cancer—and in retrograde, the simplest ideas, instructions or plans can turn inside-out and upside-down! Mercury likes change and constant stimulation while Cancer wants comfort and familiarity. Where have you experienced this disconnect in the past couple weeks? And what have you done to minimize the negative impact?
 
I am developing an online course to teach astrology in a real, holistic way. My promise: You can get from where you are now to possessing a deep and thorough understanding as well as the ability to pull it all together when looking at your own chart or reading for others. But—spoiler—it won’t happen overnight. As they say, it’s a marathon not a sprint. (It’s also a bit of a marathon putting it all together, especially with my perfectionist Virgo moon.)
 
Before enrollment begins later this summer, I will be offering a free webinar as an “amuse bouche” to give you a taste of what’s to come. So keep opening these emails, and if you’re still on Facebook, join my free private Purpose-Driven Astrology group to stay in touch and talk to me and fellow astro buffs.
 
Need some immediate insight into your own life, career or relationship? It’s always a good time for a reading! Book yours now to see just how hot this summer’s going to get for you!