Monday, April 18, 2011

Astrological Winds for Week of 4/18/11

This Mercury retrograde period seemed to start off  (3/30) with a whimper in its 1st week, but its intensity has picked up in the past week and a half, from my own and others' observations of events in our lives. It is retrograding back through Aries, which is ruled by Mars, which is in Aries also, and thus they will be meeting in a conjunction this week on Tuesday. This is why the intensity has picked up (I'm calling it Hermes with vengeance borrowed from the God of War), and I'm noticing the main effects seem to be in mechanical breakdowns/problems (Mars rules machinery), and in the actions we take (Mars rules action too), which seem to be running from a step forward to a step back to right where you started from at a very quick pace, sometimes within moments of the step forward. The situation in Libya these days is very reflective of this energy: a war going on where every day the same territory is gained/lost/re-gained/re-lost and the NATO airstrikes can't figure out who is who and thus where to drop their bombs - the Trickster in the Warrior's garb: it's not pretty! Very frustrating indeed, and I suspect that will be the main theme of this week, not only due to the above, but Mars is also opposite Saturn on Monday. This puts a brake on our actions due to people/circumstances forcing us to make decisions that ultimately restrict the flow of our desired actions. Inside, this could have us seething with anger at being held back. It's best to use this energy to take cautious/solid/small steps in the direction we'd like to go, and to put off any expectations of a fast payoff, or achieving any significant amounts this week. It is also reminding us that even if we are alone most of the time, we don't live in a vacuum, and the chances for success for any of our individual actions is actually reliant upon others' and your own cooperation and society's groundwork/structure. Hang in there until the Saturday, when Mercury finally (after 24 days this time instead of the normal 20/21) goes direct again, however remember Mercury will be in its retrograde shadow until May12th, so full speed ahead on plans/business/education/communications/repairs will not be until then. It will be small steps forward those 1st 3 weeks after Mercury's direct motion begins again.

Wednesday we have 2 planets making ingresses: first, the Sun moves into Taurus, the middle of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere, with the return of our agricultural roots and our reliance on crops taking precedence and energy. A time where we can slow down our pace and sink some roots into the ground to get stability for the seedlings we've planted so that they may grow strong and robust, and a time where we can start to enjoy the sensual pleaures of our planet now that we have survived the Winter (figuratively and metaphorically). Venus also moves into Aries, the sign of its detriment, that day. Relationships will take on the air of more spontaneity in action, which could cause some not-well-thought-out decisions on our part. This amps up the purely sexual part of relationships, rather than the softer romantic side, so it could be easy to ruffle others' feathers during this time.

The Sun also sextiles Neptune on Wednesday which is a good opportunity to get into a inner meditative/contemplative state. Idealism/spirituality/inspirations will be important this day. It's a great day to take some break by yourself and get in touch with your inner higher self. Your energy physically may be lower than normal. Neptune continues to influence the energy of Thursday too, as Mars semi-squares Neptune, which can diffuse energy in very frustrating ways. It's like you just can't get started, and even if you do it's at a much slower pace than normal. This is the energy of slow flowing movements like hatha yoga or tai-chi, etc, and perhaps that would be a good way to meet this energy, as you just won't be up to getting alot done this day.

Friday Venus conjuncts Uranus, which adds to the energy of Venus going into Aries earlier in week. You will be bored of existing relationships, and if there are any smoldering/underlying issues that you are having in existing relationships, it is likely to explode forth. This is the perfect energy to break your routine socially and go out to somewhere different with a different than normal crowd for you, otherwise your boredom and need for excitement could put others off, as if you are seeking some kind of battle just to stir things up. There's also a chance of some unexpected change to your resources/finances/investments.

Sunday the Sun sextiles Chiron giving us the opportunity to connect with others to do some kind of healing or humanitarian type of work that benefits the community at large and yourself simultaneously. Your unique talents have an opportunity to shine and help others today. This is also a good day to heal any wounds/misunderstandings brought on by Friday's Venus/Uranus conjunction.

One more week of this Mercury retrograde, so hang in there, and business as usual should begin to pick up next week.

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