MERCURY RETROGRADE
Oct. 6, 2002 – Ah, Mercury has been retrograde! Have you felt it? When it seemingly goes backward in the sky, all kinds of funny things go on. This time has been particularly potent for me, the reason I did not have an article to put out for the last Full Moon. My computer went wildly wonko and I upgraded to a used Powerbook (thank you, Randy and Jason of MacShack in Boulder, Col.) that took a couple of takes to get going a la Mercury retrograde!
MERCURY AND THE MOON
There is a curious connection between Mercury and the Moon, both representing mental activity, but in different ways. Vedic astrologers associate the Moon with mind, a different take for those of us used to thinking about Mercury as the main mental mover. Mercury is the computer data center that translates experience into cognitive language through our personal symbol system.
The Moon may define those personal systems, screening interpretations of the mundane world through emotional conditioning from this life and, perhaps, preconditioning from the weavings in the womb and farther back into the past. To some extent, the Moon holds the record of our soul history that we carry into this life. In the holographic universe, we perceive our reality into being through personal resonance, recognizing repeating, familiar, vibrational wave patterns that become our experience. This web is woven by the Moon. Every New Moon weaves a new pattern. Through the resonance shown by the way our birthchart relates to each monthly pattern, we can tune into the Moon flow.
NEW MOON and MERCURY SHARE DEGREES
It is interesting to note that the last Full Moon (Sept. 21) at 28 degrees Virgo/Pisces was the same degree in which Mercury turns direct on Oct. 6.
The 6th of October is also the New Moon at 14 degrees Libra, which is the same degree in which Mercury turned retrograde on Sept. 14.
Mercury comes back up to 14 degrees Libra on Oct. 22, finishing a full circle that started with its backwards turn.
This points to the Oct. 6 New Moon cycle as being more than usually significant, with the presence of a Mercury station. Mercury¹s full circle is completed on Oct. 22, the day after the Full Moon. This is the time we can expect some answers, some revelations. As we know, there are some powerful negotiations going on in the world.
Let¹s see what clues the Sabian symbols give; those unique images convey the meaning of each degree of the zodiac. The two degrees that are significantly repeated by Mercury and the Moon are:
— 28 degrees Virgo (Mercury rules Virgo, so this is a strong placement.)
BALD-HEADED MAN DOMINATES GATHERING OF NATIONAL FIGURES
Driving power of real personality in moments of crisis, says Dane Rudhyar. Compelling manifestation of inner self. (Who can this be?)
— 14 degrees Libra
RICH LAND-OWNER TAKES A SIESTA IN HIS TROPICAL GARDEN
Proper adjustment to the rhythms of nature. Faith in the ordered scheme of things.
To explore this odd pair of images, I am drawing from the pathwork material in "Surrender to God Within." by Eva Pierrakos and Donovan Thesenga (PathPress@aol.com –thank you, Sahra). They discuss the immense creativity that we as humans are capable of, an innate ability that comes naturally with development of consciousness and a realization of the interconnectedness of all life. This power to create has a dangerous edge if our intentions are not purified by self-analysis.
Wherever there are misconceptions, ignorance, false ideas, and withheld emotional matter — spite, stubbornness, rigidity, inertia — stagnant energy exists that must create disturbance and negative experiences. It is very potent energy. Only when you release it directly and honestly can you transform this energy. "If at the moment the negative energy is leaving your system and begins to flow, you can reconvert it and direct it into a positive channel, you can indeed bring new creation into your life (p. 168).
There can be inner resistance to the meditative work that opens the creative channel. The pathwork explains that this reluctance to inner work may arise from a delicate, self-protective mechanism that knows we are not ready for the new experience. Seeking the roots of such a hesitancy or inner block leads us to work through issues that get in the way of co-creativity with the life force. This requires a patience that the small self does not like to put up with, especially in our fast-paced culture. A clear thought will immediately set into motion circumstances for fulfillment. On the physical level, with our strong illusions of space and time, this can take time to come into existence. The rich landowner of the Sabian symbol above is trusting that all is in order, that life is unfolding in its natural rhythm. Do you relax into the space between desire and creation? Or are you tense, fearful and doubting — states that disallow your receptivity to what you are wanting?
Black Moon Lilith echoes those thoughts and may be connected to that self-protective resistance. She plays a strong role in this Oct. 6 New Moon, in opposition to it. Black Moon in Aries is in a powerfully creative grand fire trine with Pluto in Sagittarius and Jupiter in Leo. Aries is a sign that insists on integrity. One gets in big trouble without a clear sense of self. Black Moon Lilith is a challenge to intention and use of will. A light bulb goes on in the soul, sparking a desire and igniting the will to action. Yet the egoistic will can get pushy and impatient, insisting on its position.
But if it creates separately from the inner being, the results must be disappointing. It creates — but not to your blessing. It creates with a willfulness that lacks wisdom, understanding, vision and depth. It lacks inner connectedness and wholeness, so that what it constructs is often more painful than desirable (p. 171).
If we are feeling frustrated that we can¹t do anything about what is going on out there, we are caught in the illusion. The collective dream we witness may not be the dream we want to live. Let¹s bring this back home. The latest science is saying what the Buddhists, shamans and other illumined ones have always said: The World is a Dream. It is all in our minds. Is your mind caught in this dream, being pulled down into the abyss of fear and pulled away from the spiritual Truth of the joyous dance of Life?
Take a break; find the delicate balance of your own rhythm and your balance in the world. Stand forward; radiate joy and act from love in your own small world.
If you walk in the direction of finding your real self, of identifying with it through the layers of darkness, you must discover the unending beauty of the universe. There is nothing that surrounds and permeates you that does not express the magnitude of a divine and benign creation. The more aware you become of it, the more joy and gratefulness must spread in your heart. The unending beauty of the universe can be experienced as reality rather than theory only when you work your way through your dark areas (p.173).
Editor's note: St. John Star Lady Kelley Hunter is an internationally known astrologer and Caribbean stargazer. Call her at 1-888-7ALTAIR for an astrology consultation, in person or by phone. More information and writings are on her website at www.heliastar.com.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
