Lynn Hayes, Author at Astrology readings and writings by Lynn Hayes

Planetary news this week: June 18, 2018

Art by Frenta. Neptune turns retrograde today and will remain in retrograde motion until November 24th this year. Neptune (and the other two outer planets) are retrograde for half the year every year, so it’s not a huge deal as planetary cycles go. Still, for the next few weeks while Neptune is gradually picking up speed in its retrograde turn its influence will be stronger and if Neptune is already hitting a sensitive point in your chart you may find its influence more powerful. Neptune can enhance spirituality and imagination; it can also induce confusion and fantasy.

This could be exacerbated by retrograde Mars which can bring unsettled issues out into the open where they need to be dealt with. Under this combination of retrogrades, more attention to the inner workings of the psyche will be helpful so that we can maintain some clarity over the next few weeks.

Fortunately between the 18th and 20th we have two harmonious Mercury aspects which will help us to do just that as the mind becomes clear and better able to find focus. The 21st through the 23rd will be a bit more challenging, with potential for conflict especially on the 23rd.

Don’t be surprised right now if you feel overwhelmed by uncertainty. It’s simply a normal part of the ebb and flow of life – turn within to see where you can make adaptations to help facilitate greater clarity and all will be well.

By Lynn Hayes| 2018-06-18T08:21:17+00:00 June 18th, 2018|Planetary news this week|0 Comments

Sunday inspiration from Black Elk: The true peace is within

art by Nadia Turner.

“The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells Wakan-Tanka , and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us.

The second peace is that which is made between two individuals, and the third is that which is made between two nations. But above all you should understand that there can never be peace between nations until there is known that true peace, which, as I have often said, is within the souls of men [and women].

Nicholas Black Elk (Hehaka Sapa), Black Elk Speaks, 1961.

In the Sioux language, the “Wakan Tanka” translates roughly to the “sacred mystery” which dwells within each of us. I love this idea of the “first peace,” in which we strive become one with that sacred mystery within us. We can then recognize the light and sacred peace within other individuals, and then nations and universal communities.

I found the idea of turning within to find this sacred peace particularly apt as we look forward to the retrograde turn of Mars (read more here).

By Lynn Hayes| 2018-06-16T16:06:05+00:00 June 17th, 2018|Inspiration|0 Comments

How to get the most out of Mars retrograde: June 26 – August 27, 2018

The astrological Mars often gets a bad rap. Mars is associated with war, hostility, anger and rage; it fuels the primal “id” of need and desire – all things we consider “bad.” But Mars is also the factor that provides energy and motivation, fueling our desires so that we can accomplish our goals and dreams. We need Mars, and can’t live without it. But we need Mars to be healthy and clean of extraneous issues and ego needs.

That’s where the retrograde cycle of Mars comes in. Every two years or so Mars turns retrograde (meaning it appears to move backwards from our perspective here on Earth). Mars is an action planet and easily frustrated, so Mars is not very happy or comfortable during the retrograde periods which can make things more difficult for us individually since the force of Mars tends to be expressed more internally when Mars is retrograde. We are more likely to feel frustrated and angry if things don’t go our way, and less able to put our plans into motion.

Retrograde cycles are an important part of the unfolding story of our lives, and connecting ourselves with the rhythms of the planetary movements helps us to unlock the power of the planets to guide and help us shape our destiny. There is a time for action when planets are direct, and a time for rest and reflection when planets turn retrograde, and this is especially true for Mars. During this period we may find it more difficult to initiate new action – there is a tendency to feel like we’re going one step forward and two steps back. Retrograde periods of Mars can feel frustrating because our desires are often thwarted. If we listen […]

By Lynn Hayes| 2018-06-15T09:53:15+00:00 June 15th, 2018|Featured posts, Planetary cycles|8 Comments

Gemini New Moon June 13, 2018: Marriage of Mind and Heart

Art by Lucy Campbell. The New Moon in Gemini on June 13th calls on us to we have a unique opportunity to create change and become more adaptable to new ideas and new ways of living our life; to learn the inner strength that an increase in flexibility can offer us. Gemini is a shapeshifter and easily modifies obstacles and helps to activate the mind to embrace experiences that change us. It encourages us to shift the way we perceive our own lives through experiencing our lives through the perceptions of others.

Still, the Mind and Heart are inextricably woven together in this New Moon. Mercury, ruler of Gemini, is the master of the mind, the intellect, and the processing of messages. Mercury has just moved into Cancer, the sign of the Moon – emotional, intuitive, sensitive. The New Moon itself brings a shift in our emotional space from the stability of Taurus into the sparkling liveliness of Gemini.

This New Moon includes a conjunction of Mars to the south lunar node, signifying a release of something from the past. If we allow ourselves to introduce greater fluidity into our emotions and feeling nature, that release will be facilitated and the awakening that we experience will be that much more magical.

The New Moon favors new adventures, so you can take advantage of this time by starting something new. Plant a seed now and it will grow! Gemini most particularly favors matters of the intellect, but also anything that will help us to adapt and change to new surroundings or experiences.

By Lynn Hayes| 2018-06-13T16:44:30+00:00 June 11th, 2018|Moon|2 Comments

Planetary news this week, including Neptune retrograde

Nearly everyone now has heard of Mercury retrograde, thanks to the Internet. This is a good thing for those of us who follow the planets, because it’s easier to explain why we would rather wait until Mercury is out of retrograde to sign that contract. But because of the way we view the motion of the planets from Earth, all of the planets in our solar system and our astrological pantheon have retrograde cycles. In fact, the outer planets (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) are viewed in retrograde motion for approximately half the year.

So it’s not that shocking a situation that Neptune is turning retrograde on the 18th and will be retrograde until November 24th. This happens every year, and Neptune is at a virtual standstill now as it prepares for its change of direction so its influence is quite potent. Neptune is the planet that inspires us to explore our inner spirituality and our creative outlets. Any Neptune cycle can create some confusion in the outer world as we turn our attention away from practical matters, so preparing for this cycle by examining those pragmatic types of things now to be sure everything is in its proper place will be quite helpful.

The Neptune retrograde period is perfect for:

Reassessing your spiritual practice from the inside out, or if you don’t have one, consult with your inner voice to see whether your spiritual connection might need a boost.
Focus more on emotional inspiration to achieve your dreams rather than concrete goals while maintaining a smart approach to the day to day realities of life. Neptune makes this more difficult, but it still must be done!
Use this Neptunian time to explore your creativity. If you are […]