Last week’s eclipse brought the expected earthquakes and seismic events like the big one in Ridgecrest, California, and may have affected you personally as it did me – back spasms and some emotional catharsis was the manifestation of the eclipse in Cancer for me!
Mercury retrograde, and Mars
This week we have Mercury, the mental planet which just turned retrograde and is about to cross paths with Mars, the action planet. As I wrote the other day:
This particular retrograde period begins with Mercury in the sign of Leo – the sign that celebrates the Self and seeks joy in everything. Mercury is pretty happy in Leo – it’s love for movement and discussion is enhanced by Leo’s expansive view of the world. But Mercury is aligned with Mars right now, and that alignment will tighten when Mercury turns retrograde on July 7th. Expect tempers to flare, resulting in arguments or heated discussions. Both planets are in Leo which can be a bit self-righteous, especially between July 6th and the 9th,
and then Mars faces off against Uranus (shock and rebellion) between the 9th and the 11th. During this period we may be tempted to act more impulsively which is NOT a good idea under Mercury retrograde. Try to reconsider every decision, and then reconsider it again.
Chiron changes direction
Chiron, the planet of wounding and healing, turns retrograde this week. Any planet about to change direction slows down to a standstill just as a car making a U-turn will do. If we are experiencing a planetary cycle involving that planet and our own chart, it will be especially powerful when that planet is virtually still, shining a laser beam of energy into our psyche so this can be somewhat intense. Chiron is at five degrees Aries, and will most personally affect those of us with planets between (approximately) zero and ten degrees of the cardinal signs: Aries, Libra, Cancer, Capricorn.
The alchemy of planetary cycles can help us to focus our energies in specific directions in order to accomplish our goals. This week is all about taking the time to consider options and consequences before taking action.
Thank you Lynn! I do hope your back is feeling better! I have had recurrent back spasms my entire life. No fun!
Thanks Gina! They come up for me when I have a lot of emotion under the surface that’s not quite ready to emerge.
Yep, my entire life has been a journey of releasing and processing emotional pain. For years I reacted with surface anger because it felt protective. Thanks to therapy, astrology, prayer, education (whatever I can) to raise my awareness, thanks to grace of God, I think I am making progress in this sometimes painful & messy journey.
Thanks, Lynn! Looks like Chiron is stationing directly opposite my natal Neptune, and it’s time to see how I’m deluding myself. ?