Monday 1/10/2022: Sneak Peek at the Week; Mercury Retrograde Survival Guide

Alll-righty then!

East Coasters can take it slow on this Monday morning, as the Aries Moon went void at 2:23 AM ET. Now is your chance to sleep through your alarm and note your dreams upon waking (courtesy of Neptune, ruler of dreams, being hot in the heavens over the weekend). Moon enters Taurus at 9:46 AM ET, determined to build something materially comfortable and secure. That quest is supported by a sextile to Jupiter at 2:47 PM ET, infusing the afternoon with the energy of buoyant cooperation. At 10:27 PM ET, the Capricorn Sun sextiles Neptune. What visions involving leaders will make headlines, hm?  Will they be inspired, deceptive or delusional? Will peace be given a chance?

  • TUESDAY….The morning starts with a disruption of the status quo, as the Moon meets up with Uranus at 7:21 AM ET. An effort to control weighs in at 11:53 AM ET, as Moon squares Saturn. At 4:43 PM ET, we’ll have a square between boundary-pushing Mars in Sagittarius and Neptune in Pisces.  Watch for news of sexy scandal and deceit, fanatics, razzle-dazzle, drugs, healing, victims, oceans, martyrs, refugees, healing, cars, wipeouts — ranging from the sublime to the surreal. This is an interesting pattern to have as the backdrop for the diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Russia in Geneva this week, as efforts are made to reduce built-up tension over Russia’s military build-up on the Ukraine border, as Heather Cox Richardson explains.  You are more personally affected by the pixie-dust of the Mars-Neptune square if you have a planet or angle around 20-21 degrees of Gemini, Virgo, Pisces and Sagittarius. This most definitely includes the horoscope of the United States with its Mars at 21 Gemini and Neptune at 22 Virgo. It includes the horoscope for the date that Russia declared its independence from the Soviet Union (6/12/1990), discussed here in 2017.  It includes TFG, with his Gemini Sun and Sag Moon both of which will be exactly challenged by Mars on the 12th through the 14th. It also includes Mike Pence and Gavin Newsom. Meanwhile, the rest of Tuesday evening is pleasant enough, as Moon trines Venus at 7:33 PM ET, and then sextiles Neptune at 3:38 AM ET on..
  • WEDNESDAY. The rest of the week is dominated by two patterns. First, know that Mercury (how we need to think and communicate) is slowing down, preparing to turn retrograde on Friday at 6:41 AM ET. There will be NO WHINING. DID YOU BACK UP YOUR COMPUTERS? Please do that NOW. The other pattern is the Sun’s annual conjunction with Pluto, planting seeds for a new cycle involving leaders, power and resources. That happens on Sunday. Meanwhile –there’s much that can be accomplished in terms of building material security, especially if it involves a REVIEW of matters appropriate for the ongoing Venus retrograde. Review your finances, your worth, your aesthetics, your relationships. The Taurus Moon trines the Sun at 6:19 AM ET, getting you off on the right foot. Moon trines Pluto at 2:38 PM ET — good for connecting with the Powers That Be. Moon then goes void for the next seven and a half hours. You can plod steadily along with your routine concerns, noting that a Taurus Moon void is not as flakey or twisty as others, given that Taurus’ main concern is preserving the status quo. You can also chill and indulge your senses: good food, wine and a snuggle with your sweetie. At 10:08 PM ET, Moon enters Gemini and drives the next couple of days with a need for information. What’s the buzz? What you hear may not be accurate, given Mercury’s upcoming change of direction.
  • THURSDAY: Moon in Gemini squares Jupiter at 4:24 AM ET, reflecting whatever exuberance or big sentiment happened overnight. The day may have a wandering buzz to it, stabilizing as evening approaches. Moon trines Mercury at 7:09 PM ET and trines Saturn at 1:25 AM ET on…
  • FRIDAY. It’s possible that whatever seemed certain last night may be challenged by Mercury turning retrograde at 6:41 AM ET.

Here is what you need to know about surviving the Messenger Planet’s apparent backward motion through the sky:

So many people who know nothing else about astrology have heard of Mercury retrograde.  Often it elicits curses and groans, and that’s a shame. Yes, all of the flights on American Airlines may be grounded because of a computer glitch, and the entire country of Finland may be offline because of a transportation strike. These things actually happened on the first day of Mercury retrogrades past. But there’s much good that can be accomplished when the Messenger Planet appears to be retracing its steps.

Mercury—which in the language of astrology refers to mindset, travel and communication—will appear to move backward through the sky until February 20th. It’s not really moving backward, but that is how it looks from our perspective here on Spaceship Earth. Mercury goes retrograde 3-4 times each year, for a period of 22 days.

Contrary to popular belief, Mercury retrogrades are no reason to freak out. Mercury retrograde gets a bad rap because we are geared, in this crazy modern age, to always be thinking, doing, moving FORWARD. You know what that gets you? BURN OUT. We need our down times, and Mercury retrograde is a perfect time to give our minds a rest. Why else would your computer, phone and/or car choose THIS time to malfunction? Because you are supposed to be slowing down. And as you slow down, it is vitally important that you FOCUS.

When Mercury is retrograde, be prepared for travel delays, scheduling screw-ups, mechanical breakdowns, computer crashes, having to repeat what you’ve just said, misunderstandings, the past coming back for a second look, surprise reunions and having to repeat what you just said. Use your FOCUS and double check important details, like email addresses, instructions for assembling IKEA furniture.  Read the instructions more than once — and don’t hesitate to ask for help.  FOCUS!!!!!!!!!

If you are looking for a job, Mercury retrogrades are a perfect time to reach out to people from your past. Mine your address book and trust that your contacts will be happy to hear from you. However, do not be frustrated if your target is away on vacation or keeps rescheduling meetings. Also, triple check your emails and resumes before you hit “send,” as there is a higher probability of typos and other sloppy snafus.

In your business, you’ll need to make sure all communications have been received and are clearly understood. Be mindful of the higher potential for communications equipment to go on the fritz. MAKE SURE YOUR FILES ARE BACKED UP. Also be aware of a higher-than-average probability for delays in shipping and travel arrangements. For this you will need an extra dose of patience.

You may also find it profitable to REview a project from the past. Maybe you shelved it then, but now is the time to REconsider. However, be advised that a spontaneous, “out-of-the-blue” idea for advancement may not be so sound when Mercury turns direct. This is why the conventional wisdom advises against finalizing and/or signing contracts on deals during Mercury retrograde. An exception might be supported if you are REnegotiating or RElocating. If you absolutely must close a deal, triple check everything.

This is a good time to schedule a corporate REtreat. Any activity that affords the opportunity to REview past performance is encouraged. REsearch on a new strategy is also favored.

Mercury retrogrades are not favored for launching a new website or a new communications system. There is a higher-than-average probability of technical glitches and confusion. I can tell you horror stories about a certain prestigious college’s lackluster launch of a website/communications portal which occurred a few years ago, on a day when Mercury was stationary retrograde. The portal was completely redone last year. No surprise there.

Adopt a playful attitude of flexibility to whatever twists you encounter. Avoid making major purchases (especially electronic ones). Don’t believe everything you hear or read in the papers. Rumors have a higher probability of spreading during Mercury retrogrades. Avoid losing patience — that’s a big one.

When in doubt, be silent!

Do plan on RElaxing, REviewing, REsearching, REorganizing, REgenerating, REconnecting and REcreating…and REviewing your life with your astrologer.

Mercury turns retrograde at 10 degrees of Aquarius…and retraces its steps all the way back to 24 degrees of Capricorn. It turns direct on February 3rd and arrives at 10 Aquarius again on the February 24th.

Astrologer Robert Wilkinson (who wrote the book on Mercury retrograde) sees Mercury Rx in Aquarius as an opportunity to review old ideals with a mind to fresh application, “furthering the work that was done before by another,” especially in social service. It’s an apt time to review friendships and groups of like-minded souls.

The Sabian Symbol for this Mercury retrograde is “a man tete a tete with his inspiration.” We last wrote about this Symbol on the Full Moon in Aquarius in August 2012. Having it show up at this time feels like a reinforcement of the visionary seed potential of last week’s New Moon in Capricorn.  Here is what Sabian expert Lynda Hill has to say about Mercury on this particular Symbol.

Back to the forecast for the week:

  • FRIDAY: After Mercury turns retrograde, the next event is the Gemini Moon’s square to Neptune at 4:50 PM ET. Take time to get your bearing this afternoon — and make sure you’ve clearly understood the directions. At 9:21 PM ET, Moon opposes Mars — and this may be provocative, especially if you’re on the road. Chill for the next 14 hours, as the Moon will be void. Remember that crises that crop up during voids are usually much ado about nothing! You did back up your computers earlier this week, right?
  • SATURDAY: Moon enters Cancer at 11:10 AM ET, shifting our focus to matters of home and homeland security. Is there a sense of optimism about a potential power play that may happen around 9:50 AM ET on…
  • SUNDAY: as the Sun meets up with Pluto? An hour earlier — at 8:58 AM ET — Moon will have sextiled Uranus, suggesting unconventional alliances and cooperation. Did Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer say last week that he’d try to carve out an exception to the filibuster on the voting rights bill by Martin Luther King Day if the Republicans were still blocking it? Is it a coincidence that the Full Moon on Monday — MLK Day — falls at 27 Cancer, opposing — and also illuminating – the U.S. Pluto? And what about rebel Uranus also humming in the background this week, as it prepares to turn direct next Tuesday morning? A disruption of the status quo would be in order — and let’s hope it’s for the better.

To find out how these planetary patterns are likely to be reflected in your own personal world, here’s the 411 on consultations. Avid Readers of this forecast are invited to support the work here

And now, the news.

Avid Readers may recall that at the end of December, Mars was at 12 degrees of Sagittarius, which is the same degree as the December 4th solar eclipse. A surge of assertive action and/or aggression was likely to make news, especially for entities with key measurements at 12 Sagittarius. Avid Readers may recall that the United States has a 12 Sagittarius Ascendant.

When an eclipse is triggered by a transiting planet, the surge of energy is like a genie escaping from a bottle. It can’t be put back. Often what is released on an eclipse trigger has been going on for quite some time, but now it can’t be denied. This eclipse trigger would be one apt reflection of Rep Liz Cheney being all over the news on January 2nd, stating that the 1/6 Committee had firsthand testimony that TFG sat and stared at the TeeVee in response to his supporters ransacking the Capitol. It reflects President Biden’s no-holds barred speech — in which he labeled TFG a loser and called out the attempted coup as an assault on our democracy by would-be authoritarians. If you don’t have 30 minutes and would like a dose of comedy with our dire predicament (comedy is a coping strategy for pain), here is Stephen Colbert’s recap. And here is Heather Cox Richardson‘s reportage. 

President Biden’s assertive drive is reflected by his horoscope’s experience of the third Saturn-Uranus square on December 24th, which activated his Mars in ruthless Scorpio. Saturn exactly squared his Mars just after midnight on January 7th; Uranus will oppose his Mars on March 25th. The latter suggests potential daring or innovation in action.

Another reflection of a genie that can’t be put back in the bottle was the stunning moment of silence held on January 6th in Congress — in honor of Capitol police and other law enforcement officers who had put their lives on the line to protect every member of the House and Senate on the January 6th attack. Rep. Liz Cheney and her father, former VP Dick Cheney, were the only two Republicans who attended. This is where we are:

 

In other news, the inscrutable US Attorney General Merrick Garland gave a speech on January 5th, in which he vowed to hold all perpetrators of the January 6th coup accountable. I wish we had a birth time, because last year, there just wasn’t much going on in what we know of his Scorpio Sun, Libra Moon horoscope, other than his roughly 13 Sagittarius Mercury being eclipsed in December…so…yes, he should have finally said something last week! Transiting Jupiter will square his Mercury around February 28th, so maybe he’ll expand on last week’s speech then. Heather Cox Richardson’s post about Garland’s speech includes a recap of the very important developments in Kazakhstan, where thousands have since been arrested and scores killed after protesting its authoritarian government.

Also out of the bottle: the involvement of Fox “News” personalities in various communications leading up to — and on — the attempted coup. Exhibit A: Sean Hannity, who received an invitation to speak with the 1/6 Committee right around his last birthday on December 30th. It’s interesting that Mercury will turn retrograde almost exactly on Hannity’s Jupiter — ruler of his Midheaven. We can anticipate revelations and communications about his professional status and reputation over the next week.

In other news…

The current Venus retrograde in Capricorn is an apt time for a review of finances, worth and aesthetics — and women are likely to figure prominently:

Finally…

…two fun stories reflecting Jupiter (expansion) in Pisces (fish, oceans & more):

Here’s the 411 on personal consultations. Here’s the link to the Cosmic Tip Jar.

Thank you for reading this forecast.

What does the future hold?

 

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