MERCURY RETROGRADE: VISION & REFINEMENT

 


Mercury will (appear to) be moving backward in the sign of Sagittarius from December 3rd to December 22/23rd, 2017. Retrograde periods highlight the need to organize, revise and reenvison aspects of our lives. Sometimes this happens voluntarily and sometime it is imposed on us by unforeseen circumstances.

To understand how this might affect you, locate the house with Sagittarius on the cusp in your birth chart; the affairs of that house will be up for review.  If you have an Ascendant, Sun, Moon or Mercury in the sign of Sagittarius or Gemini, this retrograde will be more significant especially if your Ascendant or planet is between 13º and 29º of either signs.


WHAT TO DO DURING THIS UPCOMING RETROGRADE?

Sort out what matters and what doesn’t anymore.

Discard old ideas and beliefs that have become burdensome or obsolete.

Contemplate the passage of time and what it means to be growing older and wiser.

Acknowledge what you want in the grand scheme of things, versus what you do on a day-to-day basis to get there.

Honesty and moral courage will be highlighted during this time.

When the desire to find the truth becomes a rhetorical dead-end, what’s next?

At its worst, this retrograde could bring gloomy or depressive thinking, a loss of faith or a feeling of being blocked by something beyond your control.

There could be an urge to control your thoughts and a difficulty expressing yourself freely. In some circumstances, you might need to ”Let go and Let God”.

In other circumstances you might need to seriously consider rectifying something that has become out of control.

What happens when the sacrifice you are making are loosing their meaning?

What happens when the path you are on is NOT leading you where you want to go?

Taking a step back from something in order to gain perspective and looking at the big picture.

Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius could mean: A re-evaluation of your core beliefs, a shift of perspective, a change of direction and a quest for meaning.

What does ”control” means to you? Do you consider yourself a control-freak? If so, what step can you take to release the grip?

It’s a great time to reflect on social-media, the place it has in your life and how you utilize this tool to your advantage or disadvantage.

IDEAS, DISCIPLINE, AND VISION-SHAPING

If you have a BIG idea or if you are working towards a goal, this retrograde will help you refine your vision.

The awareness needed to gage the REAL amount of work needed to accomplish a goal will be available; don’t let this clarity become a burden and use it to your advantage.

From now until mid-January is your opportunity to write your plan or revise the existing one.

If you are contemplating a new path, a new venture, or a new way of doing things, this retrograde will help you delineate your course of action.

This retrograde is about setting realistic goals, the willingness to roll up your sleeves, and the willingness to invest the time and effort necessary.

Inspiration and creative ideas are available but will remain in the realm of possibilities as long as you don’t take concrete steps; thinking about something doesn’t make it happen.

If the time has come to realize an idea or a project, it is up to you to act on it before someone else does.

From now until mid-January is your opportunity to scheme; discipline is available.

Things may take longer than anticipated; be pragmatic and realistic when delineating your plan without becoming defeatist.

The reality is, things take time; don’t let this fact discourage you.

To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom. –Bertrand Russell

 



GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

Mercury retrograde begins on December 3rd and ends on December 22/23rd, 2017. Saturn is a big player in this upcoming retrograde. Whatever transpires of this cycle could play out until mid-January when Mercury meets up with Saturn for its 3rd and final conjunction in the sign of Capricorn.

Since the ruler of Mercury in Sagittarius is Jupiter in Scorpio, the themes of secrecy and revelations will continue to be strongly highlighted.

Mercury trine Uranus on November 25th before meeting up with Saturn on November 28th and turning retrograde on December 3rd. An emerging idea, a revelation, a new situation, a vision, or simply a new approach to an old conundrum could be a strong theme in December. The shape of things to come, an idea and the discipline required to materialize it, will be strong undercurrents.

On December 3rd, Jupiter in Scorpio (ruling over Mercury) trine Neptune in Pisces while Mercury stations retrograde. There is also a Full Moon in Gemini on the same day ruled by Mercury retrograde. There is an overwhelming amount of work and so much things to think about. You might be tempted to find the closest escape route. Don’t let anxiety or fear cripple your mind. A good day to practice breathing exercise and meditation. This Full Moon highlights the dichotomy between beliefs and facts, visions and ideas, and the realization that it will take a lot more work than originally thought to get where we want to be.

The New Moon in Sagittarius on December 17 will see its ruler Jupiter in Scorpio, square the Nodes of the Moon while Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius trine the Nodes. On December 21st, Saturn enters Capricorn and Mercury station direct the next day; destiny is calling.


 

 

 

 

Week of September 25th

The week begins with the Sun in Libra and the Moon in Sagittarius. Step past your inherent dualities by going beyond your limiting perspective. Trust that the path you are walking is the right path for you right now.

”God speaks to each of us as he makes us,
then walks with us silently out of the night.

These are the words we dimly hear:

You, sent out beyond your recall,
go to the limits of your longing.
Embody me.

Flare up like a flame
and make big shadows I can move in.

Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.
Just keep going. No feeling is final.
Don’t let yourself lose me.

Nearby is the country they call life.
You will know it by its seriousness.

Give me your hand.”

Poem by Rainer Maria Rilke
Book of Hours, I 59

Update from the Woods

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I am currently cooking in British-Colombia feeding around 30 tree-planters and sleeping in my truck. I have been cooking everyday since mid-April and I should be done at the end of June when Mars turns direct. When I went to bed last night, Mars was high up in the sky glowing a fierce orangey/burnt colour.

In my dream I found myself in a busy station type place with people walking in all directions. I kept walking and ended up in a garden having drinks and decadent desserts with two well dressed upper class women. It was an opulent garden with marble everywhere and it felt like we were high above the world. I could see the blue sky in the distance and the landscape was  filled with orchards and birds. The air was warm and pleasant and there was an overall sense of ease. I asked one of the women where we were and she told me this was her place.

When I woke up I remembered that Venus is closing in on her superior conjunction with the Sun which also means that she will be furthest away from the Earth.

The month of June is here and Venus the planet of ease, pleasure and beauty is far away from us. As we wait ”patiently” for her to shower us with her blessings once again we have to continue with our internal and external work. I am not going to lie, June is a lot of work. There is  much potential and there is much change. Re-invent yourself everyday, stay flexible and ride the wave.

xx
Elodie

New Moon in Sagittarius: The Temple

wanderer
Wanderer by Dominik Szparag

NEW MOON @ 19º SAGITTARIUS Friday December 11 2015 at 5:29 AM EST

Passenger what are you searching for
What is this longing I see in your gaze
Unknown shadows are dancing in your eyes
In the distant regions of your heart
Something is calling
to be born
The ride has been arduous
But you’ve held on
With everything that you had
You made it this far

You have learned the rhythms of your pain
You can recite them in your sleep
You built a temple and gave thanks to your fears
Laboured at the feet of giants
for a meager return

You found a key for the wrong door and you kept searching

Like a pilgrim looking in the distance
You can see the road ahead
There is no signs, no oasis and no one
But a vision
guiding your steps

one by one

Traveler where are you going?

OMG JUPITER!

MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE , MORE!

I want to eat the world.

Experience is the word.

Ultimate, Supreme, Paramount JOY.

I have a golden cup  overflowing with possibilities.

It’s all in the vision

I’m aiming high with a long-range mission

Hubris is possible

Playing the dice

Out of my window I see good ol’ practical me.  Pacing and worrying about the small details.

Defying the Gods

Making spell-ing mistakes

When I woke up this morning, it dawn on me:  What a strange feeling it is to be alive!

Why waste any time being serious when I can experience each moment in it’s full potentiality?

I don’t want to believe in the fascism of the mind.

I don’t want to put limits with language and words.

I want to break the walls that were built with fears.

And ride my horse into the sunset.

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♃  Laying down with Jupiter ♃

It all kicked in a couple of nights ago, when I came back from three weeks of travel all over the continent.  People have been so kind to me, I was given more than I asked for, and many times my cup overflowed. I found joy in new places and it has been a time of excessive abundance and over the top opportunities. I originally had plan to travel for educational purposes but the four-day trip became a three-week adventure and I just went with it.

(See Jupiter transit to the 9th house)

In order to worship Jupiter, I want to spend sometime with him right here today, Thursday, Jeudi… Jupiter’s day.

Let’s start at the beginning.

♃ Jupiter the Big Dude on Campus ♃

Zeus, supreme sky-god of the Greeks and son of Kronos is most often associated with Jupiter. The name Jupiter comes from the original diu-pater meaning something like ‘day/sky-father’ and is to a large extent a merging of provincial Gods from the Roman Empire. In myth, Zeus and Jupiter are equated.

As the Roman Empire expanded, his warlike functions were more and more extolled. He was invoked before any military actions, and portions of war booty were given to him.

His shrines were to be found on mountain top where he reign over all things.  Clouds, rain, wind, thunder, lightning, honor, justice, riches and light.

Jupiter : The Smiter, Best and Greatest, Stayer, Lord of the Heavens, the Big Dude on Campus.

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Zeus (Jupiter) Greek God in his Golden Throne – Art Picture

♃ Jupiter in Astrology ♃

Jupiter is most often associated with success and luck, the wish for growth and expansion and therefore connects broadly with the 9th house of travels, higher education and religion. He is the traditional ruler of Pisces and has rulership over the sign of Sagittarius.

Jupiter can manifest as an  incredible restlessness and the need for new horizon and experiences.  There can also be a difficulty with commitment and a lack of focus since the vision is on the big picture.

Where ever Jupiter is in your birth chart or by transits, will be the area of life where you are willing to gamble.  When we feel surefooted and in command, new horizons open up.

“Now more than ever do I realize that I will never be content with a sedentary life, that I will always be haunted by thoughts of a sun-drenched elsewhere.”― Isabelle Eberhardt, Swiss Explorer – Jupiter and Mars in Sagittarius.

In Vedic astrology the planet Jupiter is sometime called Guru. He dispels darkness and ignorance, and fills one with wisdom and faith. Any profession connected to religion, preaching, priestly professions come under domain of Jupiter.

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Dhakshinamurthi God

People with a strong Jupiterian signature in their birth chart  will often be enthusiastic and over the top. The adjective “jovial” originally described those born under the planet Jupiter (reputed to be jolly, optimistic, and buoyant in temperament) and if or when overdone the person with strong Jupiterian tendencies can become arrogant and excessive, over rating their qualities or abilities. What was once charisma and optimism turns in to megalomania. What was generosity and benevolence becomes delusions of grandeur.

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Drinking Bacchus, Guido Reni-1623

“I am the number one human being in music. That means any person that’s living or breathing is number two.”Kanye West, Sun-Jupiter conjunction.

How we experience ambition, faith and trust is indicated in part by Jupiter in the birth chart. Jupiter in Sagittarius might have an unquechable thirst to venture into new territory and put itself at risk while Jupiter in Virgo will calculate carefully the odds of success and failure before launching. A square to the natal Sun will give the desire to climb mountains and perhaps make the native overly ambitious. Jupiter’s influence is not always positive. I once had a client with a Moon-Jupiter conjunction who struggles with weight and overeating. The Moon symbolizing how we fulfill our security needs and our nurturing urge and Jupiter expanding those needs can be a disastrous combination.

♄ Saturn, Jupiter’s counter part ♄

It is an amazing thing to be imbued with optimism and faith. Having the courage to believe in ourselves and set out to fulfill our dreams.  A good dose of Saturn realism helps in grounding the visions. Somewhere between extreme austerity (Saturn) and gambling all of your life savings (Jupiter) is the middle path towards tangible results. ‘Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity” writes Roman philosopher Seneca.

♃ Tangible Juju ♃

What is luck if nothing more than the willingness to put yourself out there and try? Is there such a thing as chance? What if it has something to do with the willingness to seize opportunities when they present themselves? Even if they don’t seem to fit the vision we had, trusting the process that it will turn out into something good. Belief plays a big role in what we will accept into our life. Part superstition, part conditioning, we only get what we think we deserve.

So if you find yourself full of cynicism and lacking vision, pay attention to what Jupiter is doing in your chart. How do you relate to new experiences in your life? What kind of relationship do you have with trust?

Keep your eyes on the prize

Always keep a diamond in your mind

Don’t settle for less

and

Good Luck!

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Laughing Buddha