Mercury is retrograde three times a year for three weeks at a time. The real meaning of retrograde in the astronomical sense is a planet appearing to make a backward loop as watched from our place here on Earth. As any planet starts (stationary retrograde) or stops (stationary direct) making these loops they appear to be at a standstill. These are therefore the moments to watch for turning points in our own lives.
The crucial part of the Ascendant in terms of predictive astrology is that it points us to the chart ruler. In other words, which planet is you in particular? Once you have the answer to that question you can then move on to a full “who’s who” and you can locate everyone else in your life, and those coming into your life, in your personal horoscope. Such is the magic of astrology.
New Moons are the moment in each month when the Moon is exactly conjunct the Sun. In themselves they carry the symbolism of sowing seeds and new cycles, but they can tell a bigger picture story if they fall in aspect to other planets. See the end of this blog for the table of all lunations for the rest of this year. In this case we have the Moon and Sun both conjunct Pluto.
Far more effective from the exponential point of view is to look at where your thoughts, beliefs or habits have historically not produced the results you wanted or have even worked against you. Taking that first step in the new direction may not feel that powerful to begin with but science tells us that it’s the way to propel ourselves forwards. In other words, good things can snowball as well as bad!
You come into this world with a horoscope in the same way that you arrive with the colour of your hair. It’s your celestial DNA and you can’t be separated from it. You are your chart, your chart is you. Same thing. Relax. Think of the heavens as a vast celestial mirror, reflecting life back to us … In some symbolic, magical and meaningful way, it works.