astrology
The Myths Of Mercury Retrograde
As a practicing psychic, I have on many occasions spoken to clients who were concerned about the planet Mercury going retrograde. They typically fear that this recurring planetary event might wreak havoc in their lives. While astrologers agree that it can at times be a more challenging time, many of the fears about retrogrades are often unfounded, and based on myth and misinformation. Its potential effect on our daily lives can actually be highly positive and beneficial.
Reputable astrologers quite rightly point out that by truly understanding Mercury Retrograde and how to manage its influence in our life, we can actually turn it into a positive experience, rather than a negative one. For my part, should you have been worried about the Mercury Retrograde in the past, I hope to ease at least some of your concerns here, as to what role this phenomenon can, and cannot play in your daily life.
The Spinning Backwards Myth
The most prevalent myth about Mercury Retrograde is that the planet is ‘spinning backwards’ at this time. The truth of the matter, as any astronomer would tell you, is that Mercury is not actually moving backwards during a retrograde. It only appears to be receding.
The planet Mercury is closer to the Sun than any other planet and therefore circles around it in as little 88 days. The Earth, on the other hand, takes much longer, i.e. a whole year to complete this trip. During a retrograde, Mercury appears to slow down, while Earth seems to move at a faster rate. This creates an optical illusion in the heavens which makes it seem that Mercury is spinning backwards in its orbit. However, Mercury is merely moving more slowly around the Sun, compared to planet Earth.
One can liken this to Mercury being a race car on the inside track, while Earth is on the outside of the track and overtaking Mercury. While doing so, as Earth appears to go faster, it would seem that the Mercury is slowing down or, in fact, going backwards, even though this is not the case.
Herbs And Your Spiritual Well-Being
When our physical body is weakened or sick, we take remedies to heal it. We reach for a tincture, supplement or medication that we trust will help us. But, in the same way we care for our physical body, we also need to take care of our energy body and aura.
Yes, the light body or auric field also needs loving care, in the same way our body does. As a certified herbalist I find this is often overlooked in the field of health and medicine.
Many people only think of herbs as something you use in cooking to season food. Years ago, when I discovered that herbs were also a great way to treat the body for illness, I wasn’t expecting to find out all the other benefits herbs can offer us.
During my herbal studies coursework, I discovered that herbs not only help us heal physically, but can also work to bring our spiritual body back into alignment. The herbs work with us on many levels to promote harmony and wellness.
For example, when we drink Lavender tea for stress or anxiety. Try it yourself. Breathe in Lavender essential oil and notice how your thoughts instantly calm and the muscles in your body relax.
But Lavender not only promotes a sense of peace and calm, it also affects our spirit and changes our energy vibration. In addition to the effect it has on our nervous system, Lavender works with us on a spiritual level, to purify our soul and to clear out negative energy clogging our higher chakras.
March 2020 Weekly Astro Forecasts
March 2 – 8
This is a lighthearted week, filled with social interactions and self-care. So, at last we can keep the focus on ourselves for a change! Information we’re looking for, and affirming conversations, take precedence the first two days of the week as the Moon dances through Gemini. We may be more action-oriented than productive, but that’s okay, as we’ll get what we need on an intellectual level.
Venus will move into Taurus on Wednesday, and we’ll look towards how we can beautify our surroundings. In this tangible zodiac sign, Venus may encourage us to redecorate, clear out clutter or spend more time in artistic endeavors for the next six weeks. Add a Cancer Moon on Wednesday and Thursday, and our focus will be on our homes and families.
A Leo Moon takes the spotlight on Friday and Saturday, compelling us to shine our lights out into the world. This moon could also insist we set new boundaries, make ourselves the priority and integrate some of the changes we’ve been making since the start of the year.
Sunday might be the only day we’ll feel genuinely productive, as the Moon moves into Virgo, and inspires us to organize or throw ourselves into a project that requires detailed precision or extreme focus. How about those taxes..? All in all, this should be a quiet and easy flowing week.
Making The Most Of Pisces Season
Today we are entering Pisces season. The Sun moves into the zodiac sign of Pisces every year from February 18th through March 20th, and activates our compassion, intuition and imagination. This is a cycle where we are able to get in touch with our deeper emotions and heal any issues that might be weighing us down.
Pisces is a mutable, water sign, which allows us to be more flexible and go with the flow of the Universe. Now is not the best time for planning and taking action, but great for reflection, journaling, artistic expression and dreaming.
Technically, Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac and shows us the accumulation of what we have learned in the past year. It also helps us release in order to prepare for the next cycle in Aries.
The negative aspects of Pisces brings up addiction issues, escapism, delusions, being overly sensitive and falling into a victim mentality. It can seem like we are swimming in circles in this period, so acknowledging our direction and any imbalances are vital.
The Sun in Pisces is also a good time to get in touch with our bodies, and to detoxify with lots of water, fresh whole foods, and upgrading our self-care routine. If you are unsure of where to start with exercise, more gentle movement activities, like Tai Chi, Yoga, Pilates or swimming in a body of water, will help create re-connection. It is all about taking your time and accepting where you are in your life.
February 2020 Weekly Astro Forecasts
February 3 – 9
The week starts out with Mercury moving into ethereal and spiritually-based Pisces on Monday, where it will stay for the next two months. Logic and critical thinking will go out the window, replaced by internal processing and spiritual advancement.
Mercury will also retrograde in this sign from February 16th to March 9th, calling for us to go deep within our souls to reclaim, refocus and restore our true selves. Quite apropos, as we move through the final phases of the astrological year, before starting anew at the end of March.
Venus will also change signs this week, moving into fast-paced Aries on Friday, and creating a bit of a push and pull, as one part of us wants to go internal and another wants to get things moving externally! We’ll have to pace ourselves and listen closely to our intuition, to know how to move from one day to the next.
The week culminates with a Full Moon in Leo on Sunday, again calling for us to release everything that is not truly serving us, so our brightest lights can shine for all the world to see!
February 10 – 16
Friday the 14th is Valentine’s Day, but with Mercury preparing to go retrograde on Sunday we’ll have to tone down our expectations and embrace unconditional love over romantic love.
The entire week could have an ethereal tone to it, starting with Monday and Tuesday’s Virgo Moon, which could throw our emotions off balance, as our idealistic side emerges. Luckily Wednesday and Thursday’s Libra Moon will help us to reclaim our equilibrium, and remind us that relationships of all kinds should be nurtured and celebrated this week.
January 2020 Weekly Astro Forecasts
January 6 – 12
This week we’ll really feel the shift from 2019 to 2020, as two major astrological events on Friday will turn our attention to the new things we want to create for the year ahead.
Things start out on a productive note, thanks to Monday’s Taurus Moon, which will help us get organized and back on track after a month of holiday events. Tuesday and Wednesday are jam-packed with information seeking and conversation under the Gemini Moon, as we start to fill our calendars and get back to people we promised we’d call after New Year’s.
Things may seem a bit ethereal on Thursday, under the waxing Cancer Full Moon, which is due to peak on Friday. This Cancer Full Moon is also a lunar eclipse, which will set the tone for the next six months. This is definitely the time to release people, spending habits and activities that are holding us back or interfering with our progress.
Also on Friday, Uranus will resume forward motion after five months of backward motion, bringing our desires for change to life in exciting and unusual ways. Thanks to this weekend’s Leo Moon, we can now make decisions that work for us, void of outside influence or pressure from others. So, let the new year begin!
December 2019 Astrology Forecast
Overall, December 2019 will be a powerful month for manifesting dreams, speaking your truth and launching new projects.
Initially, the Sun will be in pioneering Sagittarius, which will give everyone extra energy to get things moving at a quicker pace. On December 22nd, the Sun then transits into Capricorn, where we become less free-spirited and more entrepreneurial in our day-to-day activities.
Mercury enters Sagittarius on December 9th, which will make our communications friendly, but also more straightforward. Mercury will also be out of retrograde at this time, so there will be less resistance in making progress with relationships and business matters. On December 29th, Mercury enters Capricorn, where leadership becomes a major focus.
The love planet, Venus, starts off in Capricorn this month, which will have us craving something more serious or physical in the romance department, depending on the circumstances. Capricorns are not always the most romantic companions, but do like to give special gifts to show that they care.
Venus will move into Aquarius on December 20th, which makes the holidays more enjoyable, because this sign likes to have a good time! If emotions get triggered, cool off and wait until Venus shifts over to Pisces in January, for deeper conversations about your feelings. Aquarius can become distant if they are already overwhelmed.
On December 12th, there will be a Full Moon in Gemini, which will be an optimal time to finish writing that book, launch a new website, or reach out to a special friend. It will also be great for integrating inner duality to help achieve oneness with your spiritual self.