June 19, 2008
Three times a year for about three weeks at a time, Mercury appears to slow down and reverse it’s direction. Of course it is only our vantage point from earth that gives this impression as the planet doesn’t really reverse it’s path through the universe. Nevertheless, those of us of an astrological bent attribute all sorts of things to Mercury’s apparent flip flop. We blame delays, traffic snarls, missed planes and missed communications on the winged messenger planet. Geminis and Virgos usually seem particularly affected as Mercury rules those signs.
The truth is Mercury’s retrograde phase is as much blessing as curse. Just as the sun and moon balance one another and Saturn’s limits reign in Jupiter’s expansion, Mercury’s retrograde gives us pause and slows our headlong rush through life for a brief period every so often. As we were approaching the most recent retrograde I found myself cautioning people to avoid trying to push the river. Slow down and let life unfold.
And the reverse is true as well. People often overreact to the news that Mercury is retrograde and refuse to budge or delay important and sometimes pressing decision. If you NEED a new job or a new car, no need to wait. Don’t fear boarding that plane or making an important phone call. Just as you can’t push the river, you shouldn’t try to dam it up either. Astrology at it’s best should help make sense of life’s chaos. It can provide a map or maybe a study guide. It is a fantastic tool but please don’t use it to bludgeon yourself or others! Avoid asking what terrible things may befall you due to any given astrological transit. Instead ask how to best use the gifts the universe is currently offering.
Today’s gift, Mercury goes direct. Those of us who have felt the pressure of a slow moving current will be relieved to resume our fast pace. We may all experience a bit of turbulence as things shift but it won’t necessarily be painful or tragic. Life and astrology are far too complex to get away with blaming all of our troubles on one little planet. This Gemini is relieved by the shift though and hopeful that the changing currents will bring exciting new developments.
How are the rest of you faring out there?
June 6, 2008
May 30, 2008
Welcome to episode three of my podcast series in learning to read tarot. Now you have chosen your first deck, on this episode I give you some tips on how to start using it and keeping it safe. Enjoy
May 17, 2008
Welcome to my second Podcast. Today I take a look at choosing a Tarot Deck and various things to think about when buying your all important first deck.
May 15, 2008
May 14, 2008
John finally made me sit down and do my first audio podcast. What I learned was that it is so much easier for me to ramble on when I have an audience. I also learned that John is a talented editor/producer. Well I knew that already but here it is in all it’s finished glory – my very first podcast. Stay tuned for more.
May 8, 2008
May 2, 2008
Saturn, the planet ruling hard work, limits, boundaries and life’s challenges has turned direct after having been retrograde for the last several months.
Check out what Elsa and Michael Lutin have to say on the subject.
Comparing Saturn retrograde to a Mercury retrograde, Saturn is all about the slow steady climb. Mercury rules thought and communication as well as travel. We all know that when Mercury is retrograde those areas of our lives are subject to snarls and slow downs. When Saturn is retrograde, the pressure isn’t off in the areas where hard work is called for. Rather it’s like trying to climb a mountain and having it shift and crumble beneath your feet so that you constantly slip backwards. With Saturn direct, we won’t suddenly find ourselves at the top, but hopefully we will feel solid ground beneath our feet and a sense of direction in our heads again. Expect a bit of adjustment as things shift gears, but hopefully we will all begin making progress up whatever mountain we are climbing.
May 1, 2008
As many of you know, I tend to focus more on the present both within the context of my reading as well as concerns the cards themselves. With that in mind I am going to start a series of short audio podcasts about each of the 78 traditional cards as they pertain to modern life. (more…)
April 24, 2008
It’s been years since I first read Mary K. Greer’s book Tarot for Your Self and I’m thinking I should pick up a copy again. I remember that it was hugely significant to the style of reading that I would develop over the years. Lucky for all of us, Ms. Greer is still writing and has a lovely journal that she updates regularly. I have it listed on The Top Ten Tarot site and here is the direct link to her blog: Mary K. Greer’s Tarot Blog.
I particularly love the post about reading tarot psychically as well as the one with translated Jungian meanings for the major arcana. Really great stuff. Thank you Mary K. Greer!
