this week features two planetary retrogrades. retrograde means ‘directed or moving backward’ and although it seems that planets go backward from our perspective on earth, they actually do not really do so. yet because the ancients observed this backward movement they saw deep symbolism to it- and this can be experienced twofold. on one hand when a planet stations (slows to a stop) to go retrograde or direct it becomes the most potent planet in the sky. it’s energy is in pure form and it can dominate the skies. on the other hand when a planet stations to go retrograde it turns inward and becomes more shamanistic, spiritual, introspective and reflective as well as limited, constricted, restrained and at times even dormant. with two planets stationing retrograde this week we have two planetary stations dominating the sky- which can make for interesting energies for our conscious and Unconscious selves to dance with!
on friday the 13th uranus stations retrograde, activating the uranus/pluto square energies. this is the day of the Goddess- friday is vendredi in french and is named after venus. the number 13 is closely associated with the Goddess, with wisdom and the mysteries. uranus stations retrograde at 2:49am PDT- during the time that most of are likely asleep (at least in the time zone i am writing from). because of this nighttime activation i highly recommend paying attention to your dreams when you wake the next morning as transits can sometimes activate Unconscious material that comes through as messages and symbolism in the dreamtime. with the great awakener, rebel and revolutionary stationing retrograde we have a focus of his intense changeable and upsetting energy. events surrounding this day can be sudden, freeing but also perhaps anxiety-producing. particularly in the following week when mars triggers the uranus/pluto square (exact on 7/17-18) the energy will be high, feisty and potentially even aggressive and destructive. the degree to which we are attached to the past and the old ways of doing things is the degree to which we can find the days ahead and the energies that surround them upsetting. yet if we embrace change and direct our path towards evolution the insights, aha moments and bolt out of the blue awareness that come in can be life changing!
the next day mercury stations retrograde in leo at 7:16pm. his upcoming 24 day journey is a time to journey within, still the rational/logical mind and rethink/review/revise some aspect of our life and journey. mercury retrograde is traditionally not a time to sign on the dotted line or expect clarity around situations that are in the works. typically at this time whatever you are trying to work out or figure out will have aspects of it that need to be reworked, totally changed, altered or even perhaps let go of in some way. the best thing to do during mercury retrograde is tune into your intuition and let go of the need for things to make rational sense or be figured out. all things technological and communication-related have a greater chance of being out of whack right now. there is a reason for this though- a method in the madness- and the only way you will figure that out is to be quiet and listen to your Inner Voice that knows all. with mercury retrograde in leo some of the aspects of life that are up for review relate to creativity, passion, children (creative and literal), the child within, joy, generosity, confidence, authority and the need to shine. the only major aspects mercury will make during his retrograde journey are harmonious ones to mars, jupiter and uranus. this supports us in directing our energy inward and really gleaning insights and finding our inner Truth around situations so that when mercury goes direct on 8/7 we are ready to fully and clearly act on them.
add into the mix the major solar flares that are happening right now (tons of M-class flares and an X-class in the last several days- can you feel them??) and you can probably sense we have a dynamic few weeks ahead.
knowledge is power, so knowing the frequencies that are coming in can help us utilize them. with uranus the energy is about change and evolution, with mars (who is approaching his activation of the uranus/pluto square- exact next week) the energy is about action, and with mercury retrograde the energy is about internal review/communication and trickster energy coming into shake things up!
have an enjoyable, insightful and liberating week!
~divine harmony