Mary Jo Wevers

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Mercury Retrograde

Giambologna-mercurio6Mercury will be moving retrograde soon, in the signs of Cancer and Gemini. Some people think the best way to handle a Mercury retrograde is to lie low, wait it out, and hope for a minimum of disruption until things “return to normal.” However this is not advisable, and certainly not practical for most of us.

The three Mercury retrograde periods in 2014 all begin in the early degrees of water signs. But just as we start “feeling” our way in the world, Mercury retraces its steps and moves back into the previous air sign. This is an opportunity for us to go back and review our thoughts: our internal mental processing of events we have been experiencing. Then perhaps we can change our thinking, which in turn will affect how we feel when Mercury moves direct and re-enters the emotional water signs.

In this particular June 2014 retrograde period Mercury will be spending much of the time in its own sign of Gemini, the sign of movement and intellectual activity. A retrograde is a time to look within, rather than taking action mindlessly, or reacting. This is not a time for inactivity, but rather a time to pay attention to our thoughts and perceptions as we interact with others and with our immediate environment.

You can make good use of this retrograde period by noticing how you are moving and interacting with others. What internal dialog is taking place? What are you thinking? How are you speaking? How are your views impacting your in-the-now experiences?

Be present, in the moment. Reflect on your internal workings. Be open and curious to new ways of looking at things. Entertain fresh, new perspectives or points of view. Ask questions. Listen. Be receptive to other people’s ideas or takes on a matter. Allow the flow of thoughts, ideas, and different perspectives to circulate as you move through your surroundings during each day. Allow new information to enhance, deepen, or even change your own thoughts and perceptions. Be adaptable and versatile.

A New Moon in Gemini on Wednesday May 28th precedes the Mercury retrograde. New Moons mark the beginning of the monthly cycle, and are an opportunity to plant the seeds of new beginnings. This New Moon will pave the way for the three week Mercury retrograde. You can set an intention to let go of old ways of thinking on the New Moon, and to be responsive to changing circumstances, fluid and adaptable.

The Mercury retrograde begins June 7th. You may feel things slow down. Be prepared to be more attentive to details, as plans may shift and change. Be patient and diligent, as issues may be revisited, giving you an opportunity to reset your course. You may need additional information, which may surface later. You may have to re-do some things twice. This is a good time to build the everyday skills we are expected to have, focusing on the ones that are our weakest.

Allow your mind to turn inward. Listen to your “inner knowing” and let it be your guide.

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Welcoming the Wisdom of Winter

frank-lukasseck-snow-covered-oak-treeSaturday December 21st the Sun leaves the expansive and visionary fire sign of Sagittarius and enters the realistic and disciplined earth sign of Capricorn. Each succeeding sign of the zodiac builds upon the foundation laid by the previous sign by rectifying or redirecting its energy. Capricorn brings Sagittarius’ vision down to earth with its gravity, and uses material resources to achieve its goals.

Capricorn is grounded in the material world. The key phrase for Capricorn is “I Use.” In order to manifest our visions we need to be prudent, pragmatic and realistic with our resources.  We overcome obstacles through diligence, endurance, and careful economy.

Capricorn works within the constraints of time and the physical world to turn our visions into reality. The contracting and crystallizing forces of Capricorn help us define our dreams in concrete ways. We must delineate our objectives, set goals, develop plans and schedules, and do the work. Like the sure footed mountain goat climbing upwards, Capricorn teaches us to use our stamina, drive and ambition carefully and methodically to be successful and reach our goals. In time we achieve our dreams.

Having practical wisdom gained from experience in the real world, Capricorn is a capable and competent business manager. He is focused and productive. He respects boundaries and knows limitations. Hierarchical, he delegates tasks to others in order to make wise use of time and resources.

As a business executive Capricorn is principled and has integrity. He is dependable and reputable, accountable for his actions and achievements. Through his enterprise, hard work, and economy Capricorn builds wealth and earns the respect of others.

Capricorn uses the resources of our material world to build foundations and infrastructures, and to create organizations that provide long-lasting security for society. He honors tradition and the past. Loyal and committed, he is dedicated to his family and his community, where he demonstrates social responsibility.

Being self-reliant, self-sufficient, and focused on working his way to the top, Capricorn often feels lonely. He can appear aloof, shy or awkward in social settings. He has difficulty with feelings and can be prone to depression, doubt and pessimism. Serious, responsible and reserved, Capricorn finds it difficult to relax, have fun and experience joy in life.

The mighty oak, a tree of great strength and longevity, is another symbol of Capricorn. Its humble beginning is a small acorn. Like the acorn, the seeds we plant now will rest in the earth, grow roots, and finally sprout and emerge in the spring. If we tend them regularly with our ambition, dedication, diligence and perseverance, they will one day become our achievements.

Archetypes for Capricorn include the Wise Father, the biblical King Solomon, Father Time, elders, CEOs and executives, and all authority figures. Parts of the body ruled by Capricorn include the knees, the skeletal system, ligaments, teeth and skin. The gem for Capricorn is garnet. Lead and pewter are its metals. Oaks, pines and holly are Capricorn trees and plants. The color for Capricorn is brown. Calendars and clocks marking the passage of time are additional Capricorn symbols.

“A winter’s day in a deep and dark December –

I am alone, gazing from my window to the street below

On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow.

I am a rock; I am an island.”

                    – Simon and Garfunkel

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Astrology, Mythology, and the Archetypes

ist1_10529543-ceres When I was in college I took a class in Greek and Roman mythology to satisfy a general education requirement. In short time I grew to appreciate the class, and looked forward to the weekly lectures and discussion groups. Since I was a science major, I did not pursue my new found interest, but instead concentrated on courses in math, physics, chemistry, biology and ecology.

In my science classes I learned how the various disciplines sought to describe and understand the workings of the physical universe. Science is mostly concerned with that which is external, or apart from us. It tends to separate us, the observer, from that which is observed. Science relies on information or data gathered and filtered through our five senses, albeit with the help of technology. It is concerned with the material world. It is literal, verifiable, and “real.”

In contrast, mythology describes our inner motivations and workings: the human psyche. It seeks a deeper understanding of our place in the universe and the human condition we collectively share. It is symbolic. Its rich multifaceted imagery is fluid and adaptable. Myths change with the times because their content reflects the people who live and pass along their stories. As such, mythology is not static, quantifiable or well defined.

Decades later I am once again exploring mythology, this time through astrology. Astrology is a multidimensional model of ourselves, reflected by the external universe. The ancient adage “As above, so below” has been updated to “As without, so within.” This refers to the connections and synchronicity between our outer and inner worlds. Astrology is also a language, full of symbols, color, tones and intensities, with subtle and not so subtle layers of meaning. We can use this language to talk about or describe ourselves, our world, and our experiences.

All the archetypes we encounter in mythology come out of astrology. The mythical figures we read about, or hear about, are archetypes symbolized by the planets, luminaries and signs in astrology. They represent the archetypal forces that drive us, influencing our unconscious motivations, cognitive processes, and behaviors. They are described through the language of astrology. Valerie Vaughan in her book Astro-Mythology, the Celestial Union of Astrology and Myth recounts some of the myriad ways the language and symbolism of astrology are embedded in our culture, including our calendars, colloquialisms, and the Greek and Latin roots of our words.

If you would like to learn the language of astrology, contact me about my Beginning Karmic Astrology Class. This one year course introduces you to the philosophic foundations of karmic astrology while you learn the symbolic meaning and interpretation of the signs, houses and planets that comprise an astrological chart. Classes begin January 2014 in Corvallis.  Email me for more information!

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Happy Halloween!

Road_AutumnTrees_MistToday is Halloween, or All Hallows Eve. Halloween has its roots in the Celtic celebration of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season. Samhain was believed to be the time of the year when the veil between this world and the spirit world was the thinnest. In other cultures it is a time when ancestors and departed souls are remembered and honored. While Halloween is celebrated on October 31st, Samhain can fall on a different day each year. It is celebrated on the day the Sun is at 15 degrees Scorpio, at the mid-point and peak of its transit through this dark and mysterious sign.

The energy of Scorpio is intense, emotionally powerful, and transfiguring. This month it is even more so. Mercury has been moving retrograde in Scorpio, slowing us down and bringing up old dark matter to the surface of our psyche for our consideration. The Sun will soon be joining Saturn in Scorpio, who asks us to reclaim our power and authority to go deeper into the subterranean spaces and confront our fears. The transiting North Node in Scorpio is asking us collectively to be resourceful, resurgent, and transform the parts of ourselves, our structures, and our organizations that are corrupt, decaying or dying.

The Scorpio energy from these planets disposits to Pluto in Capricorn, which has been in mutual reception with Saturn in Scorpio. Saturn in Scorpio lends emotional depth and intensity to the ongoing deconstruction process of Pluto in Capricorn. Their understanding and mutual support strengthens the passion and force of will for their shared mission.

Add to this mix the exact square occurring between Pluto in Capricorn and Uranus in Aries. Uranus began its seven year journey through the sign of Aries at the end of May 2010. During its transit it makes seven exact squares to Pluto, the fourth we are now experiencing. The tension between these two planets creates conflict, explosive pressure, a turning point for us to create powerful change. These are extraordinarily intense and emotional times of change, filled with the potential for new creative form and structure to arise.

This year Samhain falls on Wednesday November 6th. You may wish to mark this day spending some time in meditation or reflection, as Mercury is still retrograde. Going within, honor those that have passed over, or perhaps parts of yourself that have “died” so you could be reborn.

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

                                                           – Christina Baldwin

 

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Persephone at the Autumn Equinox

Persephone_RossetiWe mark the seasonal transition from summer to autumn this afternoon as the Sun moves from the sign of Virgo into Libra. The positive, outgoing energy of this cardinal air sign is expressed in Libra’s desire to connect with others and to create beauty and harmony. Libra uses its intellect to understand opposing perspectives and to find ways to extend fairness to all. Libra rules relationships, cooperation, mediation and balance.

The planet Venus is the traditional ruler of both LIbra and Taurus. Astrologer and mythologist Valerie Vaughan makes a compelling argument for assigning modern rulership of Libra to the as yet undiscovered planet beyond Pluto she names Persephone.

In Greek mythology Persephone is the maiden daughter of Demeter, who is known to the Romans as Ceres, goddess of grain fields and crops. Persephone enjoyed an idyllic childhood, raised by her nurturing and loving mother. One day as Persephone played in a meadow, she plucked a flower. With this act she unleashed the forces of the underworld. Through a gaping crack in the earth came Pluto in his chariot, who carried her off to the underworld to be his bride.

Ceres, stricken with grief and mourning the loss of her daughter, caused the crops to wither and die. Famine threatened humankind. Through negotiations with the gods on Mount Olympus, a compromise was brokered to save humanity. It was decided that Persephone could return to her mother so long as she had not eaten any food during her time with Pluto in Hades.

Not wanting to lose his wife, Pluto offered Persephone a pomegranate as she was preparing to leave. She ate some of its seeds, which prevented her from returning to her mother and resuming her role as daughter. Ceres was unrelenting, and again another compromise was brokered between the gods. Persephone would spend part of the year above ground with her mother helping her cultivate the crops, and part of the year in the underworld with her husband Pluto, bringing solace to the dead.

These themes are clearly represented in the ingress chart for the Autumn Equinox. The maiden Persephone is at 0 degrees Virgo, in close proximity to her mother represented by Vesta and Ceres at 5 and 11 degrees, respectively. These planets are opposed by Neptune and Chiron retrograde in Pisces, suggesting illusionary thinking on the part of an impressionable day dreamer, which results in pain and suffering. The South Node conjunct the Moon in Taurus represents a need to release past attachment to the comforts of mother and home. The North Node in Scorpio beckons Persephone to leave her world above ground and join the Lord of the Underworld, Saturn in Scorpio exactly conjunct the North Node. Venus in Scorpio entices with her deep knowing of the inner world and its rich gifts. These planets sextile and disposit to Pluto in Capricorn. Persephone will need to undergo deconstruction of her psyche, unearth the powerful forces within her that she has kept hidden. Pluto continues its ongoing square with Uranus in Aries, causing tension, upheaval, turmoil and anguish.

Into the fray comes the Sun in Libra, semisextile Mother and Daughter on one side, and Lord of the Underworld on the other. It is the midpoint, the fulcrum, shining its light to illuminate ways that create fairness and balance. Can both viewpoints be taken into consideration? Can opposing interests be respected and honored? And what about young Persephone? Will she be able to descend into the Pluto’s realm and complete her transformation into wholeness without succumbing to the extremism and destruction of Scorpio? Can she emerge with greater consciousness and self-awareness?

Libra moderates opposing forces and leads us back to the center, to the still point where there is peace and harmony. In the quiet place where there is no movement we can listen to the wisdom of compromise, make concessions, collaborate for a greater good. While we may feel pulled off center from time to time, and even to extreme when the pendulum swings wildly, focusing on the center point keeps us from falling off the edge. It keeps us sane.

As we undergo deep transformation personally and collectively, we experience discord and strife, imbalances and extremes, both internally and externally. Libra can help us by leading us back to center. And like Persephone we will become more conscious of our own powers of renewal within the cycles of birth, separation, death and regeneration in our life.