Mercury direct February 28, 2014

Mercury is at a standstill at the moment, getting ready to resume its direct phase tomorrow, February 28.  Mercury has been in its first retrograde phase of 2014 since February 6^th. Maybe you have experienced some setbacks or mix-ups.  Maybe an old problem got a makeover and is now settled in some way.  Retrograde periods are not necessarily bad. Sometimes they are inconvenient though. We miss an appointment or show up at the wrong time. Appliances break down or the car needs unexpected maintenance. Mercury retrograde periods take us out of “normal, human-made time” and drop us into a right brain time.  We can be more intuitive. We can get helpful mental impressions.  Old problems can be solved in a new way.  This current Mercury retrograde phase started with Mercury in Pisces.  Mercury then backed up into Aquarius and now goes direct at 18 degrees of Aquarius on Friday, February 28^th.  Mercury will move on into Pisces again on March 17^th.  During this retrograde time intuitive antennae have been giving creative guidance and interesting dreams.  As Mercury in Aquarius picks up a little speed we may ease back into society’s idea of time and begin to take action on the intuitive data gathered during February.

Valentine's Day Full Moon

Friday, February 14^th

Full Moon 26 degrees of Leo

In the 14^th Century Geoffrey Chaucer wrote a poem that brought the older, religious Feast of Saint Valentine into the secular world.  The Feast of Saint Valentine morphed into a day to honor romantic, courtly love.  We are still celebrating love in the year 2014 and this year the full moon in Leo falls on February 14^th, Valentine’s Day. 

New Love, Committed Love, Delusional Love.

If we look at the planetary picture for the full moon on Valentine’s Day, we see many possibilities for love:  new love, delusional love, and committed love are all represented in the horoscope for Valentine’s Day.

Planet Saturn, currently transiting through Scorpio, is forming a serious T-cross with the Moon, Mercury and the Sun.  This configuration has a number of possible interpretations.  Relationships could become more serious.  Decisions to merge and marry are on the horizon for some.   Those without a relationship might feel too lonely during this full moon.  It is good to get together with friends and have some fun even if you don’t have a sweetie. Avoid isolation on this hyped-up romantic day!

Venus plus Pluto spells Passion

Planet Uranus, currently transiting the sign of Aries, is also forming a T-cross.  Uranus connects with the Venus/Pluto duet in practical Capricorn and with Jupiter sitting in touchy/feely Cancer.  This T-cross could bring big surprises and upsets.  Venus and Pluto together can be intense, passionate love or frantic jealousy.  Since the duo of Venus and Pluto is directly across the courtyard from Jupiter, we might expect something very dramatic to occur.  Something big.  For some people this could be a new relationship that comes out of the blue.  For others it could mean an exciting interlude that is a precious moment in time. For others, a relationship may blow-up, explode, or bring a surprise you don’t want to live with.  Some people will experience big awakening in the love-house.

Neptune: Idealistic Love

Finally, We have the mysterious player, Neptune (currently traveling through the sign of Pisces).  Neptune will be making a wide opposition to the full moon.  Inspiration and beauty will make many people happy.  But Neptune also sits with Mercury and the Sun (all connecting to that reality planet, Saturn).  What we thought was real may suddenly evaporate into thin air.  We might realize we have been lied to or deceived in some way.  Perhaps we are involved in a situation that is lovely and soulful but has no chance of being anchored into the real world. That is sad.  On the other hand, this Neptune pattern might bring heart-felt eloquence.  Enjoy the beautiful words, pictures and experiences and then let time decide if there is enough practicality to give duration to the relationship.

Planet Mars is visiting Libra, the sign of relationship.  Mars is smiling at the Sun, Mercury and Neptune. This is great for dancing and for romance.  Valentine’s Day can be a happy celebration for many.

Can I really love me?

Maybe the most important thing is to remember that we are each loveable.  There is a song called, “I Love Myself the Way I Am.”  I first learned this song through the teacher, Arnold Patent, back in the 90’s.  Arnold Patent teaches people universal principles and one of the fundamental principles is about loving and appreciating the self.  Here are a few words from the song:  “I’m beautiful and capable of being the best me I am and I love myself just the way I am.” Here is the link to the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Yz-1mOohm4

Happy Valentine’s Day.

Mercury retrograde in Pisces-February 2014

Astro Tips

Mercury Retrograde

February 6 – 27, 2014

Mercury begins its first retrograde phase of the year on February 6^th in the sign of Pisces.  Mercury is close to a conjunction with Neptune (also transiting its ruler, Pisces). Mercury of course rules our mental functions.  Neptune energy gives us a link with something more cosmic than earthy.  Mercury and Neptune together create a mix of confusion, idealism, creative insight, muddled thinking, forgetfulness, self-deception and even delusion.  Mercury and Neptune conjunct promote seeing beyond this dimension so it is great for meditation, visionary thought and artistic expression. The down side of this union is escapism.  We may long to escape reality and turn to strategies that bring relief from emotional or mental pain.  Coping mechanisms, like alcohol and drugs, continual TV viewing, overeating, are tempting.  If you are stressed, aim for positive strategies like physical exercise, meditation, uplifting reading and media input. 

Since Mercury brings us to the “re-do it” word, we need to watch for recurrence of old addictive habits while Mercury travels through Pisces. This could be something besides a substance, it could be recurring beliefs, thoughts, behavior that are regressive in nature.  On the other hand, the “re-do it” phase of Mercury could find us redefining who we are, and what our goals and expectations are.  We might re-visit an old problem and find new ways to deal with it. We may return to a spiritual program we thought we were finished with.  We might return to some area creativity or study.

Of course the retrograde phase has the usual Mercury cautions.  Mercury rules communication and transportation.  In much of the country, winter weather brought travel hazards and delays.  Mercury retrograde says give yourself extra time for all those unexpected things that might happen on the road.  Mercury with Neptune says stay alert.  It’s easy to space out with this Mercury retrograde:  easy to forget an appointment; easy to mix up days and times of appointment. 

Finally Mercury retrograde is always a good time to connect with people from the past.  You may wake up one morning and search for an old friend on Facebook, just to say hello.

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