planets
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.
In The Grace Of Divine Time
Several bald eagles flew in above me this morning, as I drove along a peaceful country road, which I travel several times a week. For the past month or so, I’ve been seeing these eagles roost in one particular area along my route.
I usually see them poised in stillness upon the bare branches of the winter trees. But today, most of my sightings were of them circling in flight overhead, crossing back and forth over the road.
Sometimes they appeared to be pursuing their prey, other times leading their young, or simply enjoying the freedom of gliding through the sky beneath the beautiful morning sun. This occurred in several places along my journey, spanning a range of miles beyond the one roost and eagle family I’ve been witnessing.
Before, during, and after my way was bedazzled with this abundance of bald eagle beauty, my thoughts had been steeped in the topic of time. I sensed the eagles crossed my path to affirm and guide me in my contemplation of eternal time.
I also sensed they came as signs of a shift in my life. They were reminding me that what has been waiting in my life – energy that has been paused, stuck or still, resting, gathering, or incubating – is beginning to move on the horizon of visibility, and gradually gaining momentum.
When I arrived home, waiting in my mailbox was a pamphlet with the printed words: The Times Are Racing. Well, message received loud and clear! It’s time to express my appreciation of time.
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.
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.
September 2019 Weekly Astro Forecasts
September 2 – 8
Although there are no obvious celestial events in the heavens this week, many of the planets will be interacting with each other, making it essential that we stay alert and practice a lot of patience and flexibility.
Monday’s Libra Moon will do its best to keep things in balance, even when life throws us a couple of curve balls. However, Tuesday and Wednesday we will be under the influence of a Scorpio Moon, so it will be important to look beyond the obvious and take all we hear with a grain of salt. Scorpio can evoke unwarranted fears, so if something looks scary or uncertain, your best bet is not to react, but to ride it out until the facts rise to the surface.
Things lighten up under Thursday and Friday’s Sagittarius Moon, and the answers to our questions or concerns will finally appear, assuring us that all is right in our world. Because the week is fraught with ups and downs, we’ll welcome the Capricorn Moon with open arms this weekend, where we can regroup, get grounded and actually be productive!
September 9 – 15
Let’s get ready to rumble! Things are fairly grounded under Monday’s Capricorn Moon (our most productive day of the week), but once the Moon moves into Aquarius on Tuesday, it’s anyone’s guess what will happen next.
The main event this week is the Pisces Full Moon, and we’ll need to watch for illusion and ethereal messages, as Pisces loves to blur the line between reality and the supernatural. By the way, this is a great time for ghost hunting and paranormal investigation.
The very next day, on Saturday, Mercury and Venus will hold hands as they both saunter into Libra, another aspect where our thinking can be clouded by ideals and romance. So, with all the smoke and mirrors that will come our way this week, it’s best to refrain from making any hard and fast decisions, or assuming anything until clarity returns next week. In the meantime, enjoy the show.
Know More About Your Zodiac Sign
Here are some fun facts about the different astrological signs of the zodiac. Find your sign and learn more!
Aries – The Ram (March 21 – April 19)
Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, is ruled by Mars. Impetuous, hardworking and action-oriented, Aries are the first ones on the scene when it comes to adventure, daring to go where angels fear to tread. They are creative and love new endeavors, often having two or three projects going at the same time. However, because they bore easily, they don’t always finish what they start. Aries are loyal, confident, determined and forthright. They can also be rash, stubborn and impatient.
With an Aries, what you see is what you get. They are unpretentious and open. They are generally athletic and love to walk, run and hike. Like their symbol the ram, they are not afraid to hurdle steep mountains on their climb to success. They exude radiance, vitality and generally enjoy good health. Because Aries rules the head, this sign needs to watch for stress headaches, fevers, ear or eye troubles.
ELEMENT: Fire, Masculine
THEMES: Business, enterprise, spiritual awakenings
PASSIONS: Fast cars, travel, exploring
BEST FRIENDS: Taurus, Leo
FRENEMIES: Cancer, Capricorn
HOT CHEMISTRY: Scorpio, Aquarius
TRUE LOVE: Gemini, Libra
COLOR: Red
GEMSTONE: Diamond
FLOWER: Honeysuckle