Mary Jo Wevers

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Tending the Seeds of Our Creativity

Tuesday August 22nd, the day after the Great American Solar Eclipse, the Sun leaves the courageous and creative fire sign of Leo and enters the humble and improving earth sign of Virgo. Each succeeding sign of the zodiac provides the means to rectify or redirect the energy of the previous sign. Virgo directs us to use our heart-felt creativity to be of practical service in the world. A mutable sign, modest Virgo applies its powers of discrimination and analysis to perfect our human existence: to heal, make corrections and improve. Virgo “tends the seed” with dedication and dependability. 
 
Last month’s two New Moons in Leo, including the solar eclipse, and the lunar eclipse Full Moon provided opportunities for us to connect with our inner divine spark of life, to rededicate ourselves to living with enthusiasm and joy, and to upgrade our unique creative self-expression. This coming month we are invited to apply ourselves and our gifts to improve the human condition and help heal the planet.
 
As the Sun enters the sign of Virgo seven planets are retrograde, suggesting our energy in the month ahead is meant to be more internal, rather than outwardly directed. We can align with the planetary energy by reviewing recent events and experiences, reflecting on them, reconsidering alternatives, and resolving problematic issues. This resonates with the practical receptive energy of Virgo, which naturally wants to analyze, improve and perfect.
 
The Sun in Virgo conjoins Mercury, moving retrograde since August 12th. Be discriminating with your words. Be humble in your interactions and communication with others. Think before you speak, and avoid criticism and being nit-picky. When commenting or giving advice, ask yourself, is it true? Is it helpful? Is it inspiring? Is it needed? Is it kind?
 
The Moon conjoins Vesta in Virgo, reflecting an emotional desire to devote oneself to spiritual service and nurture others. Find ways you can connect with your own inner light, and through community service, be the “keeper of the flame.”
 
Mars in Leo conjoins the lunar North Node, inviting us to act from a spiritually higher, heart-centered place of love, rather than from a self-serving ego. Mars and the North Node form a grand fire trine with Saturn in Sagittarius and Uranus in Aries. While trines are generally seen as supportive, both Saturn and Uranus are retrograde, signifying a need to rein in tendencies to be dogmatic or erratic, and stabilize impulsiveness or combativeness.
 
Ceres in Cancer is opposed by retrograde Pluto in Capricorn. Corruption, deception and lies continue to be exposed in corporate and government systems and institutions, generating fear for our safety and security. Ceres trine retrograde Chiron in Pisces can lead to indulging in feelings of vulnerability and fears of being victimized. Direct your emotional energy in practical, service oriented ways to improve situations, solve problems, and be a force for better health and healing.
 
“I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy.
I awoke and I saw that life is all service.
I served and I saw that service is joy.”
– Rabindranath Tagore

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Mercury Retrograde provides Opportunity for Powerful Change

Mercury stationed direct this Wednesday at 9:33 am PDT. During its recent retrograde it moved from the grounded and placid sign of Taurus back into spontaneous and assertive Aries. This last week the normally swiftly moving Mercury slowed down to a near standstill as it approached the electric and unpredictable planet Uranus. As these two planets continue to combine their forces for another week or two we may experience unexpected, unsettling events that disrupt our daily flow of activities.

Rather than intending to create chaos in our lives, these events are meant to draw our attention to areas of our life or parts of ourselves that need change. We are stimulated by this unique Mercury-Uranus combination to radically change our thoughts and ideas, to “think outside the box.” Pay attention to flashes of insight from out of the blue, downloads of new, original thoughts and ideas. Avoid rebellious reactivity, and tendencies to become defensive and combative. Focus on the personal meaning of events and experiences, and the opportunities for growth, healing and change they bring.

As Mercury picks up speed and moves out of the retrograde Shadow Area mid-May, we can expect the normal pace and flow of our daily life to resume. It will be time to move forward better prepared, with new ideas and ways of being to implement. Until then use this time constructively.

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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.