Mary Jo Wevers

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Rejuvenating our Vision of Life

The lunar nodes and their axis in an astrological chart describe important themes of the evolutionary path we walking, and what we must attend to in order to make progress and move forward. The Moon’s South Node describes our unconscious and potentially problematic attitudes and patterns of behavior that hold us back. These traits need to be made conscious, so we can revise their expression or release them. The Moon’s North Node describes beneficial qualities we can cultivate or express, which balance the South Node and draw us in a more productive direction. The North Node is a beacon of light at the end of our journey, which draws us towards a more positive and rewarding future.

The lunar nodes entered the signs of Gemini and Sagittarius in April 2020. The South Node has been transiting the sign of Sagittarius, and the North Node the sign of Gemini.  The lunar nodes are nearing the end of their transit of Gemini-Sagittarius and will change sign on January 18, 2022. The remaining two months of the Gemini-Sagittarius transit is time for us to finish up our work releasing attachments to old beliefs that are holding us back, and to be curious, open-minded, and explore different perspectives, new ideas and information. 

In the ingress chart for the solar month ahead the Moon is in the anaretic degree of Gemini, the last degree of Gemini before it changes sign and moves on. This is also a void of course Moon, in which the Moon makes no aspects to other planets in the chart before moving on into a new sign. The anaretic degree represents an urgent need to address matters and learn the lessons associated with the sign, or to correctly use and express the energies of the sign, in this case, Gemini. This is a further impetus for us to push forward and do the work to upgrade our understanding and expression of both Gemini and Sagittarius. 

The lunar South Node in Sagittarius suggests we need to release outspoken expressions of overly generalized, self-righteous opinions that are not based in fact. We need to be conscious of our own biases, prejudices, and beliefs, especially those we have adopted from people or institutions of traditional authority. We need to be careful believing we “know” something, and closing our mind to new information, alternative perspectives or ideas. Problematic Sagittarius can cling to impractical or irresponsible convictions, because it believes its beliefs are more important than being flexible and realistic. When rigid and dogmatic, it refuses to honor other points of view or belief systems. It is often too restless to listen to others, and prefers to escape by riding off into the proverbial sunset.

In order to move forward in the years ahead and lay the foundations for new societal systems, structures, and organizations, we need to view current conditions that arose from our broken past from a broader and higher perspective. We need a new Sagittarian vision that will take us over the horizon and into the future. Keeping our old mindset limits options, and keeps us repeating mistakes from the past, or even from realizing they are mistakes. A broader perspective allows for new ideas, innovation, and inventive new possibilities, that will carry us forward as we lay the groundwork for the future.

The North Node in Gemini refreshes and renews the South Node in Sagittarius by lending its curious, communicative and versatile qualities. Adaptable Gemini is socially adept and responsive as it gathers information. It lives in the moment, unfettered by old ideas or approaches. By sharing and assimilating ideas, details, facts and figures, intelligent Gemini responds to conditions in its immediate environment. Dexterous of mind, it can entertain different ideas and hold seemingly dualistic or polarizing viewpoints. Emulating or practicing these Gemini traits enables us to hold different perspectives and points of view, which expand our own vistas and understanding of life. It helps us prepare for and accommodate changes in our rapidly transforming world.

“…Belief is actually a fixation upon a version of the truth. When a belief becomes rigid, seeking and growth are not possible.”    

– Owen Waters

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Venus Retrograde in Gemini: Reviewing our Attachments to a Way of Thinking

A planet moving retrograde appears to move through the same part of the zodiac three times. It is as if the planet is walking back and forth reviewing its issues and processes from different perspectives and providing opportunities for us to revise and re-address them. This “sensitized” part of the zodiac is sometimes referred to as the Retrograde Shadow. 

During a planet’s first pass through the Retrograde Shadow, issues emerge that will be revisited and re-examined during the retrograde period. It then stations retrograde, and slowly begins to move through the Shadow area in reverse direction. This is a time for us to be more internal, reflective, and review what arose for us during the planet’s direct transit through the Shadow area. What emotions triggered in us are surfacing? What missing pieces of information or insight can we become aware of? When the planet arrives at the beginning of the Shadow area it slows, stations direct, and begins moving in a forward direction once again. As it makes its third pass through the Shadow area we can absorb, integrate, and apply knowledge and understanding garnered during the retrograde.

Venus rules, or determines, our natural instinctual physical needs and desires, and our ability to experience comfort and contentment in the physical world. She represents what we appreciate and love for the beauty and physical connections they provide. She defines what matters the most to us, what we find valuable, what we really want in life. She indicates the tangible possessions and material goods we are attached to for the abundance, security, and pleasure they provide.

Venus moves in retrograde motion once every 19 months or so. Its retrograde period lasts approximately 6 weeks. Venus entered its current Retrograde Shadow area on April 10th at 5 degrees Gemini. It stationed retrograde at 22 degrees Gemini on May 13th. It will station direct on June 24th at 5 degrees Gemini, and begin its third pass through its retrograde territory. On July 29th it will reach 22 degrees Gemini once again, leaving the retrograde Shadow area with its issues and lessons, and move on.

During this Venus retrograde in Gemini, we are tasked with reviewing our fixations and attachments to ways of thinking: our thoughts, ideas, and what we “think” we know. Can we find greater value, security and gratification in being more adaptable and flexible in our thinking? Where and how can we entertain other ideas and perspectives on matters? 

We can also reflect on our interactions with our environment and our side-by-side relationships. How do we move through our day? Can we improve the way we communicate and share information? How good a listener are we? How do we respond to the needs of others? What do we love and value about our exchanges with others?

We may also become aware of ways we are fickle, restless, or inconsistent in living by our true values. Are we easily distracted by superficial pleasures which only provide a fleeting sense of pleasure or security? Are we committed to our deeper values, or changeable, depending on how the wind blows?

During its retrograde period, Venus will square Neptune in Pisces twice, challenging us to face up to ways we are unrealistic, or self-delusional by romanticizing or idealizing matters. What illusions or magical thinking do we engage in that we need to acknowledge? Being curious about our inner workings, we can reflect, revise and refine our thinking and ways we interact with the world. Using spiritual awareness we can become more flexible, adaptable, and versatile in order to engage more compassionately in a rapidly changing world. 

“Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix.” – Christina Baldwin

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The Feminine Face of Gemini

Sunday May 20th the Sun leaves the stable, patiently creative earth sign of Taurus and enters the adaptable and interactive air sign of Gemini. Each succeeding sign of the zodiac provides the means to redirect or apply the energy of the previous sign. Gemini lifts the solid and steadfast energy of Taurus to engage the intellect, connect with others, and create movement. It helps us interact with our world, share our thoughts and ideas, and adapt to changing conditions.

Gemini is traditionally viewed as an outwardly directed “masculine” energy, and its dualistic quality is usually represented by a pair of male twins. In ancient depictions, however, the twins are a woman and man joining hands, or an androgynous pair. The expression of Gemini this month has a distinctively “feminine” quality: grounded, inwardly directed, reflective, sensitive and nurturing. In the ingress chart the Sun in Gemini is disposited and expressed through Mercury in Taurus, giving it an earthy, stable quality. Taking in information through all the physical senses and listening to the body’s communications grounds us in the present moment. Taurus’s ruling planet Venus is in the emotionally sensitive, receptive, and reflective sign of Cancer. It conjoins Pallas Athena in Gemini, describing a creative feminine emotional intelligence that knows how to use communication to build strategic connections. Venus in Cancer is linked to the Moon in Leo conjoining Ceres and the lunar North Node. We are invited to nurture our self and others through sensitive heartfelt expressions of our creative life force as we move towards our evolutionary spiritual destination.

The decidedly feminine quality of the planetary energies described above is reiterated and emphasized by Uranus, newly in the sign of Taurus. For the next seven years Uranus will apply its revolutionary force freeing us to access our feminine side and urging us to embrace the Divine Feminine. It will create changes needed to bring balance to the masculine and feminine principles in ourselves and in our world. Look to the feminine face of Gemini, and tune in to her guidance in the month ahead. Use patience, emotional sensitivity, and heartfelt appreciation for grounded sensibility in your thoughts and communications.

Having been immersed in patriarchy for thousands of years, we are not conscious of the many ways it keeps us from accessing and utilizing our Divine Feminine energy. Patriarchy devalues and denigrates the feminine values of relationship, nurturing and supporting others, having a connection to our emotions, using intuition, and appreciating our Earth, our bodies, and our physicality. Retrograde Jupiter in Scorpio dispositing to retrograde Pluto in Capricorn in the ingress chart speak to the continued unearthing of toxic secrets, corrupt systems, and hidden ways the patriarchy exerts its power and control. In order to restore balance in the outer world, we must deconstruct and transform the old, rigid attitudes and systems of patriarchy that are deeply embedded in us. We can dive deep and eliminate or transform toxic belief systems we carry within us, so that we can hear the voice of the Divine Feminine and embrace her values once again.

In a rapidly changing world Gemini directs us to move with the times. As the structures and systems of the patriarchy continue to undergo deconstruction necessary for evolution, we can listen to the feminine voice of the Messenger of the Gods for direction and guidance through revolutionary change. As we receive her downloads of information and creative insights, we can begin to make sense of the chaos in the world. By embracing Gemini’s feminine communication filter we can be more adaptable, make connections, and bridge divides. Be practical, methodical, deliberate and consistent when communicating with others. Respond carefully, with warmth, serenity and calm. Keep your feet on the ground and a strong connection with your heart. Gemini in her feminine expression will provide fresh perspectives and innovative ideas for supporting others and building a better world.

“Think of yourself as an incandescent power, illuminated and perhaps forever talked to by God and his messengers.”
     – Brenda Ueland

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Gemini: Adaptability in a Changing World

ist1_1164242-eastern-tiger-swallowtail-isolated-objectsToday the Sun leaves the stable, placid earth sign of Taurus and enters the adaptable and interactive air sign of Gemini. Each succeeding sign of the zodiac provides the means to rectify or redirect the energy of the previous sign. Gemini lifts the solid and steadfast energy of Taurus to engage the intellect, connect with others, and create movement.

Gemini is bright, curious and intelligent. It has a child-like enthusiasm for exploring its immediate environment and learning new things. Gemini engages its intellect to work quickly and come up with easy solutions and answers to problems. Quick in thought and action, inquisitive and clever, Gemini easily grasps new ideas. It loves facts and is an avid information gatherer. The key phrase for Gemini is “I Think.”

The symbol for Gemini is The Twins, which represent duality seeking other viewpoints. Gemini appreciates both sides of an argument and knows there are two sides to every coin. Gemini is adept at seeing all aspects of a situation. It easily turns things upside-down or inside-out to view them from all vantage points.

Gemini is versatile and adaptable, understanding and accommodating. Gemini can be difficult to pin down because of its desire for more information, its need for sharing information with others and its reluctance to make firm decisions. Like the wind and the weather, this mutable sign is ever changing.

Gemini appreciates being in the moment. It is spontaneous and dislikes routine. It searches for variety, and delights in the multi-facetedness of life. Multi-tasking Gemini can do many things at once, such as talking on the phone while checking Facebook messages and browsing web sites. Like its archetype the juggler, Gemini is adept at keeping many objects in the air at once.

Quick-witted Gemini has a sense of humor and enjoys tricks and riddles. It excels in word-play, such as puns and limericks. Gemini mentally free-associates and can quickly change subjects when talking with others. Gemini effortlessly flits from topic to topic like a butterfly, briefly alighting on one idea and then the next.

Gemini rules our side-by-side relationships with siblings, peers and neighbors. Social Gemini shares its information and ideas with others. While talkative, Gemini can also be a good listener. It is a communication chameleon, adapting itself to changing situations and people.

Gemini rules our early childhood and grammar school education, when we learn the skills we need in order to adapt and move about in our small corner of the world. We acquire and refine our motor skills, learning how to tie shoes, play catch and team sports. We are taught language skills and how to read and write. We learn how to interact in socially acceptable ways with siblings, playmates, and other children at school. We master using the telephone and the computer to communicate with family and friends.

While Gemini appears changeable on the surface, it often lacks depth and persistence to make lasting changes. It has a short emotional memory and often fears the lesser known, deeper parts of itself. When it feels uncomfortable it changes the subject, or finds a back door to escape. Sometime appearing to lack good judgment, Gemini needs to learn to take responsibility for its feelings and actions.

Gemini’s restless intelligence becomes bored easily and it can lack follow-through. When it lives exclusively in the realm of the mind, it can neglect the body and practical, worldly matters. As the breath helps unify the mind and body, deep breathing exercises can be very grounding, centering and restorative for cerebral Gemini.

Archetypes for Gemini are twins, Peter Pan, the Fool, Coyote the Trickster, jesters and mischievous imps and sprites. Writers and journalists, novelists and book sellers, elementary school teachers, news commentators, weather forecasters, telephone operators, taxi drivers, and messengers of all sorts embody the energy of Gemini.

The color for Gemini is lemon yellow, which stimulates mental processes and encourages movement. Visualize yellow as you move about in your environment, in your car or on your bicycle. Malleable and flowing quicksilver is the metal for Gemini. Citrine is its gem. Ferns and Lily of the Valley are Gemini plants. Butterflies, small birds and monkeys are Gemini animals. Parts of the body ruled by Gemini are the hands and arms, the lungs and respiratory system.