Retrograde Challenge!
We are
already in the shadow period of another Mercury retrograde that happens this
October 21st through November 10th. This is the 3rd and final retrograde of the
year. We usually have 3 or 4 of these a year, but what has been interesting to
Astrologers this year is that all three Mercury retrogrades occur in water
signs which indicates a central theme or through line for the year. The first in Pisces, the second in Cancer and now this one will be in Scorpio.
Water rules
our emotions, sensitivities and instincts on all levels. [Love, joy, fears,
heartache, empathy, sadness, anxiety, depression, vulnerability, compassion,
the unconscious] Mercury rules communication, thought, interaction with others,
opinions, how we learn and the rational mind. And feelings are often not typically considered rational. So this
year has been, what I like to call, 'a mental review of heart issues'. It begs
some big questions:
- How do my thoughts make me feel and behave or the opposite, how does how I behave make me feel..for better or worse? Does it support my life and others I care about? If not, can I shift this? How?
- How does this play out on a larger scale affecting the world around me and on an intimate scale affecting my personal life?
I personally believe Astrology is best learned by looking back at a particular time in your life and seeing what was happening to validate or invalidate the Astrology of that moment. Once you feel confident in the understanding and support it can provide, you can begin to use it in the present. And the really awesome part is because we know the planetary cycles we can look ahead and even prepare ourselves a bit for upcoming impacts and better navigate our lives for success. A retrograde is the perfect opportunity to look back and learn. So...
I Challenge You to a Review! Here's what you do: I will give you some basic insight and the dates for the three retrogrades. Take a look back at the dates for the two earlier retrogrades and review those times and what was going on in your life. Writing this down will also be helpful. Then see what things resurface during this coming retrograde. Test the Astrology for yourself. In the spirit of Mercury retrograde, take a year-to-date review and then just take witness to your life. See what you learn. Discover a theme or something you may have missed that can really set you free to move forward in your life.
Here are 3
keys to remember for managing a Mercury retrograde:
- Rewind to Review - This is a great time to stop what you are doing and look back. In fact, you are almost forced too. We often get going so fast in a forward momentum that we pass over information or forget to handle important details of life. So by slowing down and revisiting the path we have just traveled we can see what we missed and re-work, re-do or re-think our choices to be sure that when we move forward again we are better prepared and equipped for success.
- Avoid Starting Anew - This is not a good time to start brand new projects or plant new seeds. It's a time to cultivate and complete ones that are unfinished. This means everything from beginning a new art project, making a big purchase, to signing a contract of any kind that commits you to something. There is likely to be some information missing or ideas not discovered yet that can affect the outcome.
- Remain Mindful of your Mouth - When we are in the necessary process of looking back, reviewing and finishing things, we are not always looking in front of us. So very often as our minds become preoccupied our communication skills become weaker. This is how misunderstandings, frustrations and accidents occur. So remember to still listen and remain mindful of what comes out of your mouth.
First Mercury Retrograde @19 Pisces: Feb. 23, 2013 - March 17, 2013
Pisces rules
the full range of sensitivities and feelings, from un-conscious, self-undoing, addiction, transcendence, compassion, selflessness and
sense of oneness. This was a time to review our connection to all of life
itself and/or our secrets that keep us trapped or lost. You may have been secretly
asking yourself questions like:
·
What
am I doing to create or sabotage my own life?
·
What
am I hiding from or scared of and why?
·
What
is ending or needs to end to create a more meaningful life for myself?
There may
have been a lot more non-verbal communication, escape or avoiding dealing with
feelings or issues coming up, or perhaps instead expression through artistic projects like
music, poetry, painting, instead of communicating.
Second Mercury retrograde @23 Cancer: June 26, 2013 - July 20, 2013
Cancer rules home,
family, roots, early childhood and motherhood. This was a time to review of our personal
connections to ourselves, where we came from and our soul. You may have been asking:
- How do I love others and need to be loved? What did I learn about this from my upbringing?
- What is my relationship with my parents/family? How do I want to parent? Do I want a family?
- Do my family and loved ones support me in who I am or challenge that?
There may
have been more talk within, to and about family, revisiting or reviewing
problems or dealing with issues that may have been avoided in the past.
And now the third Mercury
retrograde @18 Scorpio:
Oct. 21, 2013 - Nov. 10, 2013
Scorpio rules
passion, sex, power, control and life altering change. This will be a time to
review how we can transform our
connections on all levels in order to align ourselves with who we really are
and our mission. We may be looking at our shared resources, business dealings and
the reality of what we have built so far based on who we are, where we've come
from and who we've decided to partner and share our lives with. Some possible
questions to ask are:
- What do I bring to the table? What do my partners bring?
- How do we complement and support each other’s needs? Is there a balance of power?
- What decisions need to be made and thoughts or feelings need to change for growth, success and fulfillment for all?
To remember the theme of Water, keep in mind the image or motion of a
wave. The force of wind or air pushes the water until the friction builds up
and it's pulled deep back into itself. When it is 'full' it releases sending it
in the opposite direction building forward momentum picking up speed. The top
begins to move out past the foundation until it reaches a breaking point it, can't
be supported any longer, and crashes down on the beach. And the cycle repeats. Feeling
my metaphor? Mercury is ruled by the elements of Air and Earth. Air represent intellect
and thinking and Earth represents practical grounding. And Water, our emotions
and feelings, are shifted and influenced by our minds and affect everything we
do.
Here are some tips and thoughts to consider as you take the
Review Challenge:
- What are you willing to look at, confront or talk about now that can bring about positive transformation for greater fulfillment in your personal life as well as the lives of others around you.
- Remember that honest, real, compassionate, communication and connections is what will bring all of us more happiness, love and success.
- Life is about deeper connections, but getting there isn't always easy. It’s not always rational or black and white. So be gentle with yourself, others and the process.
Now take the challenge! For your well
being!
I wish you
all the best of luck and hope that this challenge brings new understanding of
yourselves as well as the value Astrology can bring to your life. Please feel
free to share all your thoughts, experiences, and discoveries in the comments below!
Connect with
me! I want to hear from YOU!
Dominique
Duality and Beyond
info@dualityandbeyond.com
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