Mary Jo Wevers

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Interpreting Retrograde Planets in the Horoscope

From Starwalk.space

Retrogrades happen from our perspective standing on the surface of the earth as we look up at the planetary movements overhead. As the planets move along their elliptical orbits around the Sun, they sometimes appear to slow down and change direction. This is an illusion, of course, much like when you are traveling in a train or car, and another train or car traveling at a slower speed seems to be moving backwards. 

Planets in retrograde motion are deviating from their usual, forward moving flow on their orbital path. The symbolic interpretation of this phenomenon in astrology is that the archetypal energy of the planet is functioning differently, contrary to its usual manner. This can be experienced as a shift in our perception or inner processing of events, a disruption of our normal activities, or challenging obstacles placed in our way. 

Prior to their retrograde periods, Mercury, Venus and Mars are farthest from the Earth in their orbit. As they move in retrograde motion they move back closer to the Earth. Our interpretation of this is the energetic expression of the planet had been too far out, off track, or heading in an unconventional direction. It needed to be reined in, adjusted, re-worked and realigned with our physical existence. 

Mercury, Venus and Mars are referred to as personal planets in astrology, due to their proximity to the Sun and Earth. The retrograde movements of these planets may be felt more strongly and individually than the retrograde effects of the outer planets. Jupiter and Saturn are social planets. When retrograde, they affect how we interact with others and the outer world. Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are slower moving, and imprint members of a generation who are born with the planet in the same sign. Transpersonal planets, when retrograde, affect us collectively as well as individually, and pertain to human evolution and spiritual development.

A planet moving retrograde moves through the same part of the zodiac three times. It is as if the planet is walking back and forth over this area looking at its issues and processes from different perspectives. This “sensitized” part of the zodiac is referred to as the Retrograde Shadow. The location of the Retrograde Shadow by House in the astrological chart indicates the area of life where the effects of the retrograde will be most strongly felt.

The three phases of planetary movement through the Shadow area during a retrograde are:

  1. The first forward, or “direct” movement through the Shadow area. Issues emerge to be revisited, re-examined and re-worked during the rest of the retrograde cycle.
  2. The planet changes direction or “stations retrograde” and begins its apparent backward motion. We may feel a reversal in the flow of energy. The retrograde phase of a planet is a time to be more interested in our inner experience of the planetary archetype than our outer experience of it in the world. This phase is a time to slow down, direct our attention internally, and review, reflect, reassess and begin to resolve any issues that have emerged.
  3. The planet changes direction again, and moves forward, or direct. The third passage of the planet through the Shadow area, this is a time to absorb and integrate new awareness and perspectives on matters, to gain knowledge and better understanding.

Once the planet leaves the Shadow area of the zodiac that was covered by the retrograde, we can move forward in life, applying our new found knowledge and approaches to issues that arose. This marks a culmination of the retrograde cycle, and ideally an experience of personal awareness and advancement.

We sometimes need to take one step backward in life before we can move two steps ahead. If we fight against the flow of the retrograde energy by trying to forge onward too fast, we may miss important elements that are necessary for lasting success. New information or resources may be forthcoming. Some of our plans or thinking may need to change. We might encounter further difficulties when we push forward without pausing to re-evaluate our situation. It may feel as if we are trying to move a boulder uphill, or swim against the current. We need to rein in our urge to forcefully move ahead.

By taking advantage of planetary retrograde periods to slow down, retrieve missing pieces of information, review, reflect and reconsider our plans, we can actually make better progress in the long run. When we set aside time to be more internal, more reflective, we can listen to our wise, inner voice and gain new insight into matters. By bringing ourselves back into alignment with the planetary movements and conditions we can achieve our long-term goals more gracefully and successfully, while experiencing personal growth and development.

“When we know and are aware of the planetary movements and conditions, and integrate them into our lifestyles, we can then be in alignment with the energies that they bring to support us.”
  – Karen Bishop in Staying in Alignment

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Mercury retrograde from Libra into Virgo

In the solar month ahead we enter into the third Mercury retrograde cycle of this calendar year. A Mercury retrograde takes on the flavor of the one or two signs of the zodiac through which Mercury is traveling. Therefore each retrograde cycle has its own style, tone and manner, expressed through the sign and degrees that are transited. This month Mercury retrogrades from 8 degrees Libra to 24 degrees Virgo.

The signs and degrees of the retrograde are in one or more houses in your horoscope, or natal chart. These houses represent the areas of life, associated themes, subject matters and issues, where you will experience the affects of the retrograde cycle most strongly. The houses in your horoscope where 24 degrees Virgo through 8 degrees Libra fall signify the area, or areas of life that will come under review during this retrograde.

A planet moving retrograde moves through the same part of the zodiac three times. It is as if the planet is walking back and forth over this area looking at its issues and processes from different perspectives. We may feel a sense of stuck-ness in these areas, or as if matters are not moving along smoothly, or at a more satisfying faster pace. This “sensitized” part of the zodiac is referred to as the Retrograde Shadow area.

On August 21st, the day before the Sun’s ingress into Virgo, Mercury enters the Shadow area of its retrograde. During its first pass through the Shadow area, issues emerge that will be revisited and re-examined during the remainder of the retrograde cycle. In Libra, themes concerning maintaining balance in one’s life, or within relationships, may surface. Notice what is coming up in your day to day life. Pay attention to your internal responses. Any issues that come up now can be reviewed, revised, and re-worked during the retrograde. 

In Libra, we may have tendencies to be other-centered, and compromise our self. We may have difficulty with anger, in ourself and in others, and want peace at any price. If we are a people pleaser we may be flattering, or dishonest at times. We might tend to be superficial, concerned with outward appearances, and strive to maintain an appearance of graciousness and refinement. We may be ambivalent when needing to make decisions, vacillating, or indecisive out of fear of displeasing or going against the wishes of others. This may make us unable to act, or act in our own self-interest.

Mercury moving back into Virgo guides us to go back and reconnect with the grounded, discerning, practical real-world attitudes and approaches of Virgo. What qualities do we need to foster that will help us regain our balance, in ourselves and in our relationships? What steps do we need to take to improve our health and well being? Where can improving our life skills and competency lead to better outcomes? Can we place improving and problem-solving ahead of people-pleasing? Can adopting the approach of Virgo to be of greater service help us be better partners in our personal and business partnerships?

At the end of its first pass through the Shadow area Mercury slows in preparation to change direction, or station retrograde. We may feel a slowing down of energy in us, or in our life, or a reversal of energy. Mercury stations retrograde at 8 degrees Libra on September 9th and begins its second pass through the Shadow area in reverse direction. During this time it is helpful to slow down, re-direct our attention internally, and review what has happened during Mercury’s first pass through the Shadow area. We have an opportunity to go back and retrieve missing information, consider other perspectives, and look at matters from other viewpoints in order to consider issues differently.

As Mercury reaches the end of its retrograde phase it slows down once again in preparation to change direction. On October 2nd Mercury stations direct at 24 degrees Virgo and begins moving in a forward direction, making a third pass through the Shadow area. This is a time to gain insight and better comprehend issues that recently emerged. We can integrate new or missing pieces of information retrieved during the retrograde, and absorb new understanding and different perspectives on issues.

On October 18th Mercury leaves the Shadow area, having completed the current retrograde cycle. Mercury moves into new territory, with its associated themes and issues. Our awareness moves into new areas in life, with different matters and issues.

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Blending Neighboring Signs: Cancer into Leo

Each succeeding sign of the zodiac in the astrological chart provides the means to rectify or redirect the energy of the previous sign, thereby providing a new avenue for its expression, a new area for its application, or a new way of being in the world. When a planet changes sign by transit, we have an opportunity to integrate the energy of the previous sign into its following sign. 

Merging one sign into the subsequent one is not an easy task. This is because two adjacent signs have nothing in common. They are of different polarity, element, and modality. Therefore they have difficulty “understanding” each other. It takes awareness, creativity, and work to combine, integrate, or blend one sign with the next.

For example, the energetic expression of Cancer is of negative polarity, meaning it is inwardly directed, reflective, or introverted. Cancer is a water sign, and represents emotional sensitivity and attunement. The sign of Cancer is of cardinal modality. It initiates action and creates new beginnings from a caring heart-centered place when it feels protected and secure. The subsequent sign of Leo is energetically of positive polarity, outwardly directed or extroverted. Leo is a fire sign: spirited, enthusiastic, commanding and active. A sign of fixed modality, Leo has the determination and will to stick to its desires and objectives, and remain focused until it is completely satisfied. As we move from the sign of Cancer into Leo, we are challenged to find ways they can complement each other or work together. 

We have all the signs of the zodiac in our birth charts, and so it is important for us to learn how to skillfully use and express them all. It can be difficult to find ways to transition successfully from one sign to the next, or to blend their energies, or find ways their expressions can work simultaneously or side-by-side in our life. We want to experience the energy of the new sign without leaving the useful and favorable qualities of the previous sign behind.

Two adjacent, unrelated signs can best be integrated and used together when each are expressed in their highest and most productive ways. When a sign is expressed in problematic ways its energy spirals downward, and becomes very difficult for it to work expansively and interactively with another. 

Some of the highest and best expressions of the sign of Cancer include emotional sensitivity; gentle vulnerability; providing support and protection; valuing family, home and community; and being devoted to meeting the needs and caring for others. Examples of highest and best expressions for Leo include loving life, being joyful and fun loving; heart-centered and generous; encouraging and inspiring; confident and courageous; creative and spontaneous. These beneficial and productive expressions of Cancer and Leo do not necessarily negate each other, or make it difficult to express the energies of each other. Rather, they complement each other by adding other dimensions of energetic expression, thereby enriching our life experience. 

As planets in transit this month segue from the sign of Cancer in Leo, we too can bring emotional understanding and sensitivity for others into play as we courageously act from a heart-centered place. Our devotion for providing for the needs of others in our community and being a nourishing presence feeds our enthusiasm for life, and being a confident, commanding leader who respects the sovereignty of others.

“There is no instinct like that of the heart.” ― Lord Byron

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Archetypal Mercury Moving Retrograde

In our solar system the orbit of the planet Mercury lies between the Sun and the Earth’s orbit. Symbolically Mercury acts as an intermediary, or link, between the Sun, representing spirit, and the Earth, representing matter. In Greek and Roman mythology Mercury acts as an emissary between gods and mortals, traveling freely between the two worlds carrying messages, communications and information. In astrology archetypal Mercury is an envoy for our spiritual life force, a communication channel informing our human experience as we connect with our environment and interact with others.

In Greek mythology Hermes/Mercury also performs the role of a psychopomp, a guide whose primary function is to escort human souls to the underworld upon death. The psychopomp serves as a guide through other important transitions in life, or when venturing into liminal spaces, spiritual realms, or the inner world of the subconscious. Here, we cross boundaries into places where we undergo some sort of transformation or preparation for rebirth.

Mercury is the most frequently retrograde planet in our solar system. It moves retrograde 3 times a year for about 3 weeks each time. Just before Mercury’s retrograde period it is at its farthest point from earth in its orbit. As it reaches its retrograde phase, fast moving Mercury slows its pace, comes to a standstill, and appears to reverse direction. During its retrograde phase it is closer in orbit to earth, and appears to be moving more slowly. 

In astrology our interpretation of this planetary phenomenon is that the processes and dynamics Mercury represents are too far out, and need to come back closer to earth. Our thinking may need to come back into alignment with reality. There may be too much information coming in and we need to step back, process and digest it. We may need to reorganize information or our thinking patterns or gain new perspectives so we can better understand what is going on, and find new meaning. 

After Mercury stations retrograde it disappears from view in the sky. This is represented in myth as Mercury/Hermes in its role as the psychopomp guiding us into our internal, deeper, subconscious realm. Mercury takes us into liminal places where information is communicated to us intuitively, through symbolic messages during waking hours and during sleep. Our normally active, rational intellectual processes are set free for us to explore material in non-linear ways.  

Mercury stationed retrograde in Gemini, the sign of its rulership, on May 10th. During this retrograde period Mercury will move from active Gemini back into the earth sign of Taurus, guiding us to retrieve overlooked information, gain new frames of reference, symbolic meaning and understanding through the information filter of our senses. In Taurus, we can slow down, ground our thinking, and listen to the wisdom communicated through our physical bodies and the natural world. 

Mercury has led us to the threshold of our inner sanctum. As we cross over and traverse the landscape we encounter matters needing re-framing, revising and re-working. By uniting our thinking with earthly sensibility we transform our understanding and experience. Mercury stations direct on June 3rd, leading us back into the outer world reborn.

“Become a student of change. It is the only thing that will remain constant.”

― Anthony J. D’Angelo

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Uranus in Taurus:  Reforming our Relationship with Nature

Uranus is the archetypal force of change and revolutionary transformation. Uranus breaks down, breaks through, and deconstructs old structures that have outlived their usefulness. It displaces and overthrows established attitudes and systems. It liberates us from the confines of convention and urges us to create anew. It is a hurricane-like force destroying that which no longer serves us, or limits our freedom to grow and progress into the future.

Uranus rules sudden, unexpected and unpredictable changes of a radical and shocking nature that shake us up. The force of Uranus rushing through our lives and disrupting our routines can feel disquieting, unsettling, even traumatizing. The world we knew has lost the form and structure we depended upon for security and stability. We perceive the world as chaotic. 

The word chaos is borrowed from the Greek word for “abyss,” the primeval emptiness of the universe, a formless, empty void. The Roman philosopher Ovid later described chaos as a formless, disorganized mass.The force of Uranus reduces systems and constructs to pure energy, without order, or structure. Within this formless chaos, we have the greatest power to bring about significant change. We can choose to create new systems and structures based on new values and organizing principles, new paradigms. 

With Uranus expressing its archetypal force through the sign of Taurus, we are witnessing the break down of old systems and structures we have depended upon for physical safety and material security. Conventional farming practices have poisoned the earth. Food production systems no longer support human health and well being. Air pollution, the destruction of forest biomes, and increasing use of traditional fossil fuels is causing global warming with its dire consequences. We are destroying the resiliency of nature and its ability to support life on our planet. Attitudes that led to commodifying nature, extracting her resources to maximize short-term financial gain for the elite few are ripe for change.

Conventional ideology about the natural world and the role of humans on the planet contain notions that we are above nature, we are superior and of greater value than other living things, and therefore can exploit them. We view nature as inefficiently designed for our myopic needs, superfluous or unnecessary, even dangerous and to be eliminated. We believe we have the power and the right to control and exploit it. 

It is time to adopt some humility, and recognize we know very little about the complexity of the natural world, the interconnectedness and interdependency of its constituents. We understand very little about the ways myriad forms of life adapt to changing conditions and cycles of time within their ecosystems. We need to shed the belief that we can control nature for our own selfish reasons. We need to radically change our view that that we are separate from the natural world, which leads to us feeling disconnected and outside of it. Instead we need to understand how we are part of it, and reform our ways of living and participate in life within it. The land does not belong to us. Rather we belong to the land. 

We can restore our sense of peace and security in a chaotic world by grounding ourselves in nature, in the web of life. Feel the life force in the soil beneath your feet. Breathe the air slowly and deeply. Find calm and nourish your spirit in water. Tune into the cycles of nature with its seasons, the monthly lunar cycle, and the daily cycle of light and dark. Pay attention to how your animal body is synchronized with these cycles. Sensing the interconnectedness of all living things in nature, and being a part of it, is life affirming.

“The body is condensed Soul.” ― LiYana Silver