TGIF!!

So far this day is going exactly as anticipated. I’m working the polls again today — and there’s a delightful chatty buzz happening among my colleagues. It’s an apt reflection of the Moon’s meet-up with Venus in Gemini, where both are seeking to entertain and inform. It’s also reflecting the buoyancy of a harmony between Mars (assertion) and Jupiter (optimism). It’s a fine day for a celebration — and we’ve got something to celebrate: Juneteenth — a celebration of the end of slavery in Texas (two years after the rest of the country) — and now an official holiday here in New York (with calls to make it a federal holiday, too).

Mercury is now officially RETROGRADE. Reflecting the potential lack of focus, I left my glasses on the dining room table this morning. Had to go back home and retrieve them. If you’re new to this forecast, here are the general guidelines for managing Mercury retrograde (back by popular demand!):

Contrary to popular belief, Mercury retrograde is 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 whether the restaurant you’ve chosen for a meet-up is still in business. Or whether it is booked for a commercial shoot or a private party — all of which has happened to me during Mercury retrogrades.

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 spontaneously, “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. The key is not to RUSH.

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 systems. There is a higher than average probability of technical glitches and confusion. REvisions, however, are A-OK.

In general, 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.

Would you like to know how this Mercury retrograde will activate your horoscope? Toss $44 into my Cosmic Tip Jar as a Joyful Random Expression of Appreciation and email me your birth time, place and date. I will email you a few paragraphs of insights in a day or so.

This Mercury retrograde is in Cancer, sign of the Crab. Cancer needs emotional security — and is focused on fulfilling those needs in family, heritage, home and homeland. Mercury (how we need to think) is more inclined to express ideas based on feelings. Cancer is a Water Sign, after all — along with Scorpio and Pisces. So here we go again — with another long stretch of weeks with Mercury in a Water Sign, as we had in the last  Mercury retrograde (February-March),  which was in Pisces.

Mercury retrograde bodes well for things previously hidden to be revealed. This Mercury retrograde directly engages two planets in the U.S. horoscope: Sun at 13 Cancer and Saturn at 14 Libra. How fascinating to see excerpts from John Bolton‘s tell-all book being published yesterday. There’s no need to buy it; just read the reviews.

On SATURDAY, the Sun leaves Gemini and enters Cancer at 5:44 PM ET. Spring is done; summer has begun — at least in the Northern Hemisphere.

Here’s what you need to know about the first day of any season  — i.e., equinoxes and solstices — from an astrological point of view. The first days of Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter correspond with the first day (or first degree) of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, respectively (there are thirty degrees in each sign of the zodiac). Got that? Good.

These four signs are called cardinal signs. Cardinal signs initiate. They come up with the idea and put it into action, which leads to necessary change. “Cardinal” suggests (from the Latin root of the word), “that on which something turns or depends.”  So the first day/degree of a Cardinal sign is a turning point. In astrology, the technical term for the first degree of any Cardinal sign is the “Aries Point,” just to confuse people who are not professional astrologers. In other words, the first day of Cancer, Libra, Capricorn and Aries is the Aries Point. The first day of Taurus (and the rest of the signs) is NOT at the Aries Point). Clear?

Equinoxes and solstices are also prominent. We make a fuss over them, right? In Japan, the first day of each season is actually a national holiday. How cool is that? Thus, in a horoscope, a planet or angle at the Aries Point needs to be prominent.

A person born with the Sun in Cancer is here to create and maintain emotional security. Cancer is ruled by the Moon, which changes signs faster than any other celestial body. Moon refers to emotional response; thus, Cancers have a rep for being moody. The keywords for Cancer are: I FEEL. If you are a Cancer born in the back third of the sign, my money says you’ve been feeling a lot these days.

Here is the chart for the Summer Solstice, set in Washington, D.C. We can use it to assess potential happenings in the U.S. for the next three months:

Three planets: Sun, Moon and Mercury — are locked away in the 8th house of death, debts, taxes, joint finances and shared values. It’s a Dead Moon — suggesting a sense of listlessness or restlessness, as the country senses something new is on the horizon — but what? The Moon is exactly square to Mars, suggesting conflict, aggression, courage, crusades — for better or for worse. That’s also setting the tone for P45’s planned rally in Tulsa, but the subsequent void suggests more fizzle than sizzle (for that particular event).  Another suggestion of disruption for the next three months is Uranus in the 6th — in an obsessive-compulsive connection to the Scorpio Ascendant. Uranus needs to be free — to be — it’s own unconventional self. We may see this expressed as a three-month obsession over the U.S. self-image — and this may be the source of a disruption.

The ruler of the 10th house is Mercury in Cancer — retrograde — but not really going anywhere. The ruler of the 10th represents the head of state. We see an obsessive-compulsive connection between Mercury and the South Node in loud-mouthed Sagittarius, grabbing our attention at the Aries Point. The South Node can be a toxic release or an easy fallback position.

Mars and Neptune are in the 4th House — our land; our core foundation. Mars suggests conflict; Neptune suggests confusion — and Neptune is in an obsessive-compulsive connection with the Midheaven (leadership and public status). Fog and lies — or idealism.

Jupiter rules the 2nd house of money and values, and Jupiter is in the 2nd House, almost exactly conjunction Pluto. Avid Readers know that Jupiter is not at its best in Capricorn, where rewards are handed out based on status or climbing a certain ladder. Pluto is extremes; Jupiter with Pluto suggests extremes of expansion in matters of abundance and power. In Capricorn, the two are impacting corporations and governments.

Tomorrow I will post about Sunday’s New Moon/Eclipse — and catch up on the news.

Thank you for reading this forecast. Here’s the 411 on personal consultations.

Thanks to Beth for the fun Mercury Rx mash-up!