Mercury Retrograde in Aries ~> 12th March 2012

Strength often shines through in the most extraordinary circumstances during hard times. It’s as though the will to act and create comes directly from the source. In astrology we look to Aries for such bravery and the cosmic urge that powers and propels.

We are now in the run-up to Spring Equinox, at 0 degrees Aries; and Mercury, planet of the mind, went retrograde yesterday (12th March) in the sign of the Warrior. At the solar marker of equal-day equal-night Mercury will conjoin the Equinox Sun. Mercury rules the mind, and Aries individual assertion. In the coming weeks impetus and volition are subject to razor-sharp analysis - with potentially brilliant insight.

Note that throughout this retrograde period, when Mercury even leaves the sign of the Ram and goes back into Pisces (March 24th), to contemplate the end of certain matters, Mercury’s dominant healing challenge is actually in relation to the group-oriented Uranus, planet of dramatic change as well as humanitarian altruism. Both planets are airy and intellectual, combining to initiate unusual change, making contact three times. The first was only a few days ago (on 5th March); the second conjunction is on the 18th March, just before equinox; and again a month later on the 22nd April.

From the point of view of esoteric astrology this is an important series of conjunctions. Mercury is the esoteric ruler of Aries, suggesting the hot-headed Ram needs to be smart to make right action; and Uranus is the hierarchical ruler of Aries, accenting how one distinctively operates within the crowd. Recognising the value of each unique individual's heroic contribution in the process of collective evolution is the optimum way to ensure all talents are bravely actualised and accomplished.

Also worth baring in mind is that the Aries Mercury and Virgo Mars are not only both retrograde, but they are currently in 'mutual reception', i.e. Mars rules Aries and Mercury rules Virgo; so that the hero's 'right action' and 'right understanding' work well together, particularly with self-introspection. Mercury goes forward on the 4th April. And Mars goes forward on the 14th April; until which date we are advised to exercise patience and not be too rash or aggressive - in Buddhist thinking this is actually a good reminder that anger wipes out karmic merit in one fell swoop.  

“The true hero is one who conquers his own anger and hatred”. ~ His Holiness 14th Dalai Lama

• • •Earth-Touching Beltane New Moon• • •( ( (☾ ◯☽) ) )• • •11

This Beltane new Moon in Taurus, May2nd/3rd, 7:51bst, highlights the Spiritual Warrior’s ability to forgive and move quickly on to manifest for the greater good with love, wisdom, and compassion as necessary stabilising forces. Exalted in Taurus, here the Moon offers the best possible place to remain constant and steady – even in the midst of rapid change the Moon in Taurus keeps feet planted on the ground in a very practical and sustainable manner. All the while a stellium of more volatile Aries planets presents the currently challenging mega-mammoth roller-coaster, ridden with stately pomp, as symbolised by martial Mars at home in assertive and dynamic Aries, conjunct the King of the Heavenly Gods, Jupiter, along with media-master Mercury and loving Venus - the latter Aries planets in opposition to task-master Saturn.  (Esoteric ruler of Aries, Mercury is still in retrograde shadow til the 5th).  Saturn exalted in Libra denotes the seriousness of karma that can also be incurred at this time, as well as the heightened need to overcome reactionary fear through realised love - love of self in relation to others, specifically.

Valuing Spirit over ego and coming from the heart breeds love instead fear; with awareness of self in relation to the whole encouraging the kind of self-acceptance which motivates one to create and, at the same time, truly comprehend the rhetoric (personal and/or collective), we are better equipped to find and hold firmly onto the thread of kindness that runs through and binds together our inter-connected Divine oneness.

Taking Saturn’s lesson of karmic balance into account – by being responsible for the love we share – we’re also more likely to be fair-minded, able to remain clear in any situation to overcome anger or nip any rampant demon desire in the bud more quickly too.

With two of the solar systems heavyweights now in Venus ruled signs: solid and earthy Sun in Taurus and Saturn in Libra, we have the planetary potential to even things out: so that when we access the equanimious heart-mind, we have a taste of how good life really is. Being ruled by Venus, Taurean influences heighten earthy sensuous passion. Venus is the Goddess of Love, after all, defining intimacy, close relationships, ardour, and the entire smoochie business of romance & attraction. Harmonious Venus also rules beauty and refinement in all areas of life. Wherever Venus is found in the horoscope, there you will find your capacity for good taste and sweetness, as well as showing how you sparkle in the arts, in your social life, and in fashion. With Venus in Aries and the Sun in Taurus (now in mutual reception), we can quickly seek to stimulate the senses; soft, sexy fabric stroking skin, healthy food and drink to take care of within, and pretty flowers for lovely company are sometimes all it takes to find beauty and bliss.

Venus also shows how we value ourselves in relationship, as well as financially and/or psychologically – spiritually, even.  Woman tend relate to Venus differently than Men, who are symbolised by warrior Mars (which impacts through dynamic Aries). Women tend to use the Venus in a horoscope to seek balance in the sphere she inhabits.  Interestingly, there is now a mutual reception between the Sun in Taurus and the Taurean ruler Venus, who is now in Aries until mid-May; This means both Spirit Sun and relationship-orientated Venus are working towards a common goal in harmony. That goal is to value self-love with spiritual self-awareness, free from greed, lust and fear.

Changes are taking place that lead to incredible sweetness 8th-15th May.

This lunation (a lunation is one Moon cycle, from New to Full in 28 days) also heralds the last month of expansive Jupiter being action hero Aries; as from June 5th Jupiter moves into Taurus for the a year, when our understanding of love, as well as the financial situation, has better potential to improve.  We now get a taste of that essential basic goodness with the Sun in Taurus.

So, if the fast pace of the last few months has seemed hectic, tune into this new Moon and revel in the beauty of nature, adjust to sacred simplicity and rest within the generous fertile fullness of Mother Earth.
• • •( ( (☾ ◯☽) ) )• • •

Mercury Retrograde in Aries ~ Spring 11

Mercury now conjunct dynamic Mars at home in fiery ARies; Mars woule normally be heading breakneck speed were it not opposition weighty Saturn. Thankfully Mercury doesn't perfect an oppostion to Saturn, even when it goes forward on Saturn's day (Saturday 23rd April).

The Buddha said “You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.”

This quote is good to bear in mind as MERCURY is RETROGRADE in fiery ARIES from Wednesday 30th March until 23rd April '11. You know the drill: double check travel plans, re-read contracts, and forgive everyone if they're late, have ignored you, or misunderstood the situation. In Aries, Mercury can be a domineering hothead: not necessarily the most patient of combinations, yet that's exactly what we need to practice: PATIENCE. Mercury's current message is to watch one's own mind to stop it flaring up, to temper rage and anger. So don't play with fire ~> unless, of course, you're a dragon, and even then one could get singed around the edges! ;)

Fire also represents knowledge as well as intuition; now is an optimum time to develop faith in the way our deeper wisdom works.

In esoteric astrology Mercury is ruled by Aries, inspiring thoughts of 'self' in relation to training the mind; how we think, what we think about and, ultimately, how we express those ideas and thoughts can reveal the mind of the selfless Spiritual Warrior.

 

Healing Brother, Heavenly Messenger, Friendly Neighbour, and a trickster for the mind, Mercury will tease and tantalise our mental factors, as he/she receives, assimilates, and transmits all kinds of information ¸.•*❤*•☆☆

nil desperandum -> patience & forethought win out ~ New Aries Moon 2011

A New Moon in the sign of the Ram renews hope and optimism, as additional seasonal momentum propels one fearlessly forward.  Such drive is helpful, particularly as the start of this lunation heralds massive and potentially disruptive sudden change, from which there is much to learn. New projects, ideas or adventures that recently appeared ‘all-systems go’ may quickly reach a momentary high, leading to the need to slow down one’s mind and ride this New Aries Moon, 3^rd/4^th April, with focus and attention. 

Dramatic developments demand an alert mind ready to seize opportunities that stir the compassionate heart into positive action. Since the Spring Equinox (21^st March), when sensitive Moon conjunct boundary-marking and restrictive Saturn (read cuts) we’ve increasingly witnessed rising levels of dissatisfaction across the world over too little autonomy, status, or stability, without a modicom of which the relationship to self and other’s – including the Divine - struggles to find balance.

Now that a cluster of planets assemble in the confident but sometimes reckless sign Aries, the astral prospective is as antagonistic as it is assertive. In a push to seek volition and establish autonomy we may realise sudden new growth. But push too far, too fast, or be too furious, violent and competitive, and any or everything could backfire. Anger management is therefore high on the current celestial agenda, not only to avoid sticky situations but also to question rivalry as well as consider the kind of authority we respect, while the heavens point towards individual freedom within ethical limits as means of ruling responsibility.

Mercury, planet of communication and all we ponder, is thankfully in retrograde motion, which means we now take time to revise, reconsider and reprogram; in Aries, we can begin to understand how the mind works; Aries provides the bravery to reassess how we think and, perhaps more importantly for the impetuous Aries, to consider the RAMifications (couldn’t resist the pun!) of our most personal thoughts and actions. Being hot-headed, anxious, or intolerant is not the same as being keen and eager. This is one of those occasions when more haste really is less speed and the Mercury retro could work in our favour.

In esoteric astrology, Mercury rules Aries, signalling how important it is to contemplate before we act upon asserting our beliefs and thoughts – even for only the Aries nano-second. This association between the first sign of the zodiac, Aries, and the heavenly messenger, Mercury, suggests single-minded thoughtful focus, to be genuinely mindful, as shaping life in truth requires courage as well as reflection, especially if we are to understand life’s mysteries.

The Buddha said “All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.”

The most dangerous enemy to ardent Aries is its’ own over-heated impatience. Aries can be impulsive, acting quickly to see fast results; self-absorbed and unaware that others can be more cautious, needing time to reflect Aries can soon run up against a wall, spent and out of steam. To avoid such worst case scenarios, make the most of retrograde Mercury in Aries, affording these three precious weeks of reflection. 

In Tantra, fire represents knowledge; in astrology fire symbolises intuition. With SIX planets in fiery Aries, the Spiritual warrior advances as instinct aligns with ‘right understanding’ (from the Buddhist 8-fold path).  Those planets are Dynamic Mars (at home in Aries), BML, altruistic Uranus (hierarchical ruler of Aries), soulful Moon, Spirit Sun, expansive Jupiter AND retrograde Mercury, all oppose the confining Saturn, bringing to a head the recent 3rd and FINAL hit between Jupiter and Saturn (phew - enough already ;) thank you Goddess; this is the last seriously low point of a 20-year cycle): Blazing expansion and high-minded morality are again face-to-face, balancing all points between healthy self-assertion and making sure other’s also have a fair deal. Even-handedness is a major and ongoing deal (until 2012 – at least), and particularly karmic for the (internal) authority that ought to come from the heart.

Talking of which, it is spring (in the northern hemisphere), which rules wood and the colour green: the colour of the heart. Wood represents organic expansion, with influencing wind element; green is also the colour of Tara, the Tibetan Goddess who is the Great Mother Liberator. We call on her wisdom to quickly overcome the many obstacles to the planet and in our personal lives. “Om Tara tuTara ture soha”

Free from Karmic Patterns ☽☼☾ Full Cancer Moon ♑/♋

In astrology, the Moon governs watery Cancer ♋, the fourth sign of the zodiac symbolising emotional sensitivity, particularly sensations associated with the past and all we hold onto - things, people and feelings, as well as daily thoughts that bubble-up to flow through our unconscious mind stream, which can then become construed as personal needs. These needs are expressed with greater insight and clarity when we sense empathy within our surroundings. Though such deep sensitivity is a typically Cancerian trait (as well as with those who have a prominent Moon in other water signs or water houses), we are all capable of being intuitive; but for one reason or another, we are not always in synch with where we truly are psychologically, spiritually, or physically. We are aften out-of-step with our true needs, creating habitual thoughts based upon craving or aversion that can, consciously or unconsciously, create karmic imprints that surface when we only have half an eye on La Luna’s gleaming ball of light (and not our third eye, either! :))

The upcoming Full Moon on Wednesday the 19^th January, at 21:21 GMT appears to be an optimum window of opportunity to exercise emotional boundaries and draw the line on any unfounded, unnecessary or irresponsible desires.  With the Capricorn Sun at 29 degrees revealing personal limits, as well as the ability to be ‘grounded’ (as in stabilising mind and body in practice), in opposition to the double whammy 29 Cancer Moon accenting home and family, we have the fourth of five Full Moons in a row at the ‘anaretic’, last degree of a sign accenting a swift shift of emphasis.  Any planet at the last anaretic degree of a sign holds an accumulative sum total of the sign’s qualities before flowing into the next sign. Thus, through the initiating light of the Capricorn Sun we can understand the necessity of discipline and hard work to achieve ambitions; and through the feeling-orientated and reflective, form-giving light of the Cancer Full Moon, we could sense a wealth of emotional experience provides the key to free oneself from karmic limitation, and be liberated once and for all from negative karmic patterns, in relationship, at work and within oneself.

Understanding how the law of cause and effect works, and all that what we say, do, and think, has an impact upon future result is imperative, especially if we are to harness any destructive impulse that essentially harms and blocks the release of positive potential. Bare in mind that through meditation, prayer and ritual, as well as actively creating helpful thoughts, healthy living, and doing good deeds we can negate karma, stabilise the heart-mind, and unfetter the shackles that restrain us from radiating Buddha nature (our essential goodness).

Helping to put personal and collective life into perspective over this Full Moon, both ♋ Moon and ♑ Sun also make wonderful connections to the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction (which was exact on the solar Eclipse Jan 4) indicating the Spirit and Soul are aligned with the active vision Jupiter and Uranus vibrate.   Also note the 'finger of fate' or 'Hand of God', with the North Node and Pluto as one finger and Neptune and Chiron onother, pointing towards the Moon, indicating this Moon has a long-term and collective transformational healing quality. 

 Jupiter and Uranus, however, have been together for the last ten months; but this is about to change as the faster sign munificent Jupiter is also about to move signs on 22nd Jan, whizzing into fiery Aries --> through which the sky god flies until early June (when Jupiter enters Taurus); the pace to realise some kind of self-awareness is quickening. Aries can be super-LIGHTening fast. But just over four months in the sign of the Ram is SUPERSONIC speed! During these next months there is opportunity to quickly restore and build self-confidence and see how fabulous we really are! :) Carpe diam! And when winged Mercury does his next retro dance in Aries (March-April) we might be asking ourselves, "if not now, when?"

Thanks as always to unknown artists and photographer for much appreciated illustrations ☆~♥♥♥~☆