Mercury Reconnecting, Moments of Truth & New Moon Optimism
The Astrology Blog 3 December 2018
All times given are stated in GMT
As we start the new week, Mercury is “stationing”, appearing as if he has come to a virtual standstill in the sky – as he gets ready to start moving forwards again, having been retrograde since 17 November.
I’ve been deluged with Mercury stories on this retrograde cycle. It may be that it’s particularly troublesome in Sagittarius, one of Mercury’s signs of “detriment”. Problems with cars and phones are nearly always top of the list, and this time was no exception – with two tales of woe both involved using a “find my phone” app. I guess this gets plenty of extra use every time Mercury goes retrograde…
Story One
My partner was leaving for a business trip to Hawaii. Whilst getting ready I moved some things from the back of his car, and I must have set my phone down in distraction, because when I got ready to leave about half an hour later my phone was nowhere to be found.
Later a find-my-phone revealed it was on the freeway heading toward LAX. So that’s how my phone flew to Maui and I didn’t.
Story Two
A friend had suspected for a while that her husband was being unfaithful. One morning when he dashed into the shower in a hurry she finally gave into her fears and checked his phone. Sure enough she found messages, between him – and one of her own friends.
The next time he called her to say he’d be late that evening a find-my-phone app came up with the name of a posh hotel. A phone call confirmed that “yes your husband has checked in and yes you can pick up your own key from reception when you arrive”. Which she did. You can guess the rest!
Technology makes it harder and harder to keep secrets and I wonder how many affairs have been busted through people not deleting messages!
With Mercury poised to turn direct on Thursday 6 December, many issues are at a very tetchy point, and matters are not helped by another major aspect midweek that also spells uncertainty, confusion or deception:
Wednesday 5 December
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Sun 13 Sagittarius square Neptune 13 Pisces 22.23
Sag is the truth freak of the zodiac, but Neptune by difficult aspect likes to blur the edges. Either because of not wanting to face unpalatable facts, deliberate twisting of the facts or a lack of realism.
This aspect can also spell unhappiness, tears, dissatisfaction, disappointments or disillusionment. So this isn’t the easiest or happiest of unions and if it reflects sadness in your life remind yourself that “this too shall pass”.
But if you feel that you’re involved in anything that smacks of misguidance, manipulation or just obvious bullshit then it’s best to bide your time and also reserve judgment. The jury is definitely still out, but not for long.
The following day the Moon arrives in “heart on sleeve” Sagittarius and makes the monthly conjunction with Jupiter, paving the way to Mercury’s change of direction.
This is then immediately followed by the New Moon in Sagittarius, and another aspect to Neptune:
Thursday 6 December
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Moon conjunct Jupiter 6 Sagittarius 14.32
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Mercury turns direct 27 Scorpio 21.24
Friday 7 December
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New Moon 15 Sagittarius 07.21
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Mars conjunct Neptune 13 Pisces 14.13
The New Moon is when the Moon is exactly conjunct the Sun, and therefore not visible in the skies until the Moon moves out of the heart of the Sun and then we see that first delicate sliver of silver, two to three days later.
No matter what sign it falls in, the New Moon is the opening of a new cycle, the point at which something is born, associated with beginnings, new faces, fertility, sowing seeds and making fresh starts.
New Moon in Sagittarius
In Sagittarius we expect these themes to link very powerfully to truth. Something magical happens when we work with the truth – and to our visions for the future.
Getting at the truth has been a lot harder than usual. But when you get that moment of understanding it will be unmistakable and will smack you between the eyes.
This New Moon coincides with the reconnection of Mercury’s hotline. It’s as if the heavens are taking a huge highlighter pen to all the things we need to know or need to learn from. And shows us where we need to make decisions, where we need to get our act together instead of letting time slip through our fingers. Or passively waiting for someone else to sort it out.
Our job now is to engage fully with whatever shows itself as being important or ethically correct. It also feels significant that this New Moon falls at 15 Sagittarius, within two degrees of where Mercury turned retrograde three weeks ago. So there’s a definite link.
Sun and Moon
In traditional astrology the Sun and the Moon are dyadic. In other words, they’re a duo and permanently intertwined with each other.
The shape of the Moon in the sky, times of New or Full Moons or Eclipses are all continually and unchangingly dependent on where the Moon is in relation to the Sun.
They’re known as The Lights (of the day and night), archetypes for man and woman, masculine and feminine, and therefore for partnership (regardless of sexual orientation).
So new relationships and unions of all kinds starting now, hold enormous potential and will bring positive growth for both people involved. Especially as this New Moon falls alongside expansive and benefic Jupiter.
Similarly, any relationship ending, will also be for the better, for both concerned. Even if it doesn’t feel that way at the time, the astrology indicates that this is, in fact, liberation.
Mars in Pisces
Mars is the extra element at work in this picture, conjuncting Neptune. This is an aspect that happens once every two years.
Kickass Mars is primarily action and militancy in our external world – or anger, pain or passion in our internal one.
Pisces links to our emotional world and our vulnerability – and also to sacrifice. Some fresh starts are possible only when recognizing what we’re prepared to give up, to make them happen. Some dilemmas are inevitably linked to seeing that our own happiness may mean making someone else unhappy – in the short term.
Keep looking ahead
Imagine where you want to be, next week, next month, next year – whenever.
As hard as it is try not to base your decisions on other people’s feelings. You are here to live your own life not someone else’s.
We’re brought up to believe the opposite, but we’re not responsible for anyone else, only for ourselves. And you don’t have to have a reason or justification for what feels right for you, just knowing that it’s right, is all that’s required.
For example, wanting to end a relationship. There are of course always reasons, but just wanting out is enough. Choose self empowerment over martyrdom. Stay with the feelings, stay with the vision.
From the intensely emotional to the practical world
Look out for plumbing problems! If you’re in serious winter weather this might be frozen pipes, but it’s more likely to be leaks.
And take extra care and slow right down when driving in heavy rain. Pisces is “mutable” water. It spreads and travels ….
Alcohol is also in the mix, so don’t risk drinking and driving under any circumstances. And don’t get in a car with a driver who’s been drinking.
If you’re planning a night out at any point this week make sure you have a designated driver or a safe way of getting home.
And back to the emotional messages, drowning your sorrows is not a great idea. Because you’ll make yourself feel worse. Watch a soppy movie instead – and have a good healthy cry!
All about Mercury
We now have to let Mercury pick up speed again. Some astrologers make a big deal about Mercury coming “out of shadow”. This means waiting until he reaches the degree at which he first turned retrograde, in this case 13 Sagittarius (which will be Xmas Eve, 24 December).
So that’s a date to watch, especially if you have planets or angles within 2 degrees of that point.
Nevertheless, I think the actual turning point is more important. This is when we can say that Mercury’s office is officially open again for business and here’s the usual checklist of the kinds of things and themes to expect, now and in the coming couple of weeks:
Mercury Direct Checklist
- We identify the things that, with some renewed energy and a fresh approach, can come good
- Breaking news, expected or unexpected, good or bad, that affects us or someone close to us
- Important information comes to light or secrets are revealed – we have the chance to see things as they really are
- Light bulb flashes of “I get it now” type insights – including changing our minds about something that we had previously really wanted
- We stop talking/thinking about something and realize that we need TO DO IT or make decisions to pave the way
- People get back to us re decisions and deals get done
- We get back in touch with someone, or they get back in touch with us, including situations in which there’s been a deafening silence
- We feel more courageous or determined to pursue our true wishes
- And we stop pretending or avoiding
- Replace fantasy with fact and find better or more workable options
- Tackle/say the things we’ve been putting off
- Get back to a matter that was first important three weeks ago
- We’re free to travel or do our own thing
- Memory kicks in and we deal with what or who has been off our radar
- Disputes or areas of miscommunication are cleared up
- Find the right person to deal with the problem beyond our own expertise
- Computer glitches/communication technology are solved/sorted
- Rumours are squashed when the truth outs
- We find what we have been looking for – from lost objects to spiritual needs
Mercury direct – a positive spin
I put mostly a positive spin on Mercury turning direct, As this checklist has been compiled from long experience of watching how things unfold at these times – in my own life and that of my friends, family, students, clients and also out in the world.
This doesn’t mean that suddenly everything starts turning out wonderfully well. Although it can sometimes be a magic wand as Mercury changes his Trickster hat for the Magician’s one.
But as above, so below, look for the turning point. Often it’s the light at the end of a tunnel that for once is not the oncoming train.
As usual I’m writing this blog on Sunday (2 December) which is my birthday, so am now off to celebrate my 60th Solar Return.
It’s bittersweet – which is a poignant phrase for the Mars – Neptune combination – as it’s a big event and only the second birthday without Sue, my darling twin.
But she and her husband Mike were both incredibly sociable and I know they’ll be cheering me on and enjoying the party with me in spirit,
Until next week,
With love from Greece
Joanna