Mercury Retrograde 2017

The Settling Storm: Full Moon in Scorpio 2017

A rainbow in the Mojave Desert from Landers, Ca; photo by Jessie Eastland via Wikimedia Commons. 

A rainbow in the Mojave Desert from Landers, Ca; photo by Jessie Eastland via Wikimedia Commons. 

Full Moon @ 20 degrees Scorpio 24'

May 10, 2017

2:42 PM Pacific

5:42 PM Eastern

The current lunar cycle makes its climax in the tropical sign of Scorpio. A few weeks of stagnation, uncertainty, frustration, and various technical issues, should be fading out as Mercury turned direct (May 3). Trickster Mercury likes to poke holes in our assumptions about reality, reveal our ignorance, and remind us that chaos is just as much a part of life as anything else. While not always easy to navigate, Mercury retrograde cycles show us that we’re not really in control. While we can certainly make choices and change our attitudes, affecting how we experience life, there’s always those fated, unpredictable encounters that surprise us when we least expect it. 

As difficult as such experiences can be, with a little humility, we can embrace them as valuable teachings, expanding our awareness of life and how it actually operates. The Full Moon coincides with Mercury leaving its final shadow period, the gradual ending of its retrograde effect. Every Full Moon brings about a culmination of energy, intention, and activity. This should be quite helpful in getting back on track with your objectives after some potential delays or setbacks. The sign of Scorpio places an emphasis on authenticity and depth of perception and understanding. 

With the Full Moon sextile Pluto and trine Chiron, this should help to open some perceptual doors, allowing for the acquisition of insight we were blind to before. This is a good time to turn your attention inward, or upon your most intimate relationships. These soft aspects to Pluto and Chiron can help us deal with wounds, blockages, and traumas in an open and receptive way with much less defensiveness and or resistance. With the Taurus/Scorpio axis highlighted with this Full Moon, the Moon’s sextile to Pluto could also heighten our need for sensuality and sexual expression. 

Mercury has been slowly picking up its speed while conjunct Uranus and Eris in Aries. Since the last week of April, Mercury, Uranus, and Eris have likely correlated with the collapse of many structures, beliefs, and assumptions. Ideally, these events are helping to catalyze new directions and actions. What has fallen away is helping to make more space for new adventures and experiences. This aspect is helping us break free of limiting beliefs about what’s possible. Now that Mercury is direct and the Full Moon is culminating, use this extra boost of confidence to step up and face your fears and hesitations head on. Embrace any new paths that have opened up for you and step into the unknown. 

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

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Be Gentle With Yourself: New Moon in Taurus 2017

Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, CA; photo by Chad Woodward, April 2017.

Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, CA; photo by Chad Woodward, April 2017.

New Moon @ 6 degrees Taurus 27'

April 26, 2017

5:16 AM Pacific

8:16 AM Eastern

April’s New Moon takes place in the tropical sign of Taurus. With Mercury still retrograde, this New Moon helps us keep things simple, direct, and gentle. Mercury retrograde conjoins Uranus in Aries alongside this lunar rebirth, adding a certain edge to this otherwise easy going and calming lunation. Mercury and Uranus invite us to deeply question our assumptions and perceptions about reality. In the days leading up this New Moon, you may have noticed something new about your environment, or had some potentially shocking realizations. 

How attached you are to a certain perception of life will determine how shocking or awakening these insights will be. Mercury and Uranus also help to give us glimpses of new possibilities or ways of solving problems in our lives. Innovative solutions are likely to be more readily available now, inviting us to re-strategize and find ways of moving around current obstacles. Questioning your beliefs, theories, and ideologies is likely in light of groundbreaking information. Needless to say, keep your ears open and receptive to what’s floating around in the wind. 

Mercury turns direct on May 3, one week from the New Moon. Use this time to dig deeply into this Taurus energy. As with all New Moons, new possibilities are emerging that aren’t quite clearly defined. A New Moon always points to something mysterious that you know exists, but you can’t quite pin it down exactly. The signs are all around you now, and they invite you not to think too much about them. In fact, with this Taurus New Moon, it’s a good time to get in touch with more subtle or even somatic dimensions of experience. 

Venus, the ruler of Taurus, is still picking up its speed as it goes direct, after roughly 40 days of retrograde motion. It is currently at the end of Pisces conjunct Chiron. That could shed some light on deep insecurities about our self-worth and relationships. Venus and Chiron may accentuate certain heart wounds and blockages in connection with our ability to bond and relate. Now that Venus is stationing direct, you may have had some deep realizations about yourself, your sense of value, and your true feelings. A change of heart is possible, and this New Moon can symbolize a new path to embark upon with our creative passion and loved ones.

Use this New Moon to slow down the pace of your life and take some time to listen carefully to your body, your heart, and the natural world. Whatever problems you’re currently trying to solve will be more easily digested by taking some time to unplug from the hectic external environment. Take some time for yourself. Eat well, listen to beautiful, soothing music, go for a hike or gentle walk in the natural world--anything to help relieve your nervous system. With Mercury still retrograde, there’s no need to rush. Your focus will become more clear in a few weeks, especially if you take this time to be gentle with yourself. 

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

Follow me on Instagram for weekly astrological updates.