Year: 2020

“Go inside a stone.
That would be my way.
Let somebody else become a dove
Or gnash with a tiger’s tooth
I am happy to be a stone.

From the outside a stone is a riddle.
No one knows how to answer it.
Yet within, it must be cool and quiet
Even though a cow steps on it full weight,
Even though a child throws it in a river,
The stone sinks, unperturbed,
To the river bottom.

I have seen sparks fly out
when two stones are rubbed,
So perhaps it is not dark inside after all;
Perhaps there is a moon shining
From somewhere beyond a hill –
Just enough light to make out
The strange writings, the star charts
On the inner walls.”  Charles Simic

The Winged Messenger, Mercury stations retrograde at 7:54 PM on 2/16 at 12 degrees of Pisces. The retrograde period will last through March 9 when it will station direct at 28 Aquarius.

Mercury retrograde periods present a good time frame for reflection and reconsidering. This particular retrograde period bodes well for reflecting on the quality of our emotional , spiritual and creative lives. It’s a good time for inner exploration and being open to mystery.

In some ways this retrograde period is like the Tarot Card of the Hermit.  It is a card of solitude in which a monk -like person,  dressed in a hooded cloak, stands on a mountain top holding a lantern in the darkness. It is a card about retreating from the busyness of everyday life in order to access inner wisdom for the path ahead.

The cards in the Tarot deck speak of the journey pf personal evolution. The Hermit Card is associated with the number 9 and is followed by the Wheel of Fortune – the number 10 card – which ushers in a time of change. The Hermit Card provides the time of reflection before change is ushered in.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A sword, once used in many battles, is now in a museum.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

 

“The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind.”Caroline Myss

“When you forgive, some deeper, divine generosity takes over you…When you cannot forgive you are a prisoner of the hurt done to you.” John O’Donohue

Venus, now in Aries  will continue to travel with Chiron- the asteroid of the Wounded Healer- this week. This duo speaks of the healing of the heart. It is a good time to acknowledge growth in the realms of self esteem, self assertion and self worth – and how this is reflected in every day life. Pursuing the path of acceptance and forgiveness can lead to increased awareness and  personal evolution now.

This week Venus will square the Lunar Nodes in Cancer and Capricorn. This speaks of the evolutionary struggle on the planet now about moving from an outdated patriarchal paradigm -which has to do with control and power from the top down- into a more holistic model associated with the mothering and nurturing qualities of the Divine Feminine. It is one of the ongoing planetary lineups that speaks of the importance of aligning personal values with actions.

There is an ongoing aspect between Uranus and Chiron that is signalling the need to build a more healthy relationship to the masculine and with how anger, assertion, rage and aggression are handled. The Uranus influence can bring awareness, illumination and direction to this area of life now.

The Sun is now in Aquarius – resonating with the Age of Aquarius which we now are entering. The Age of Aquarius is signalling the need for a time of cooperation and collaboration. It speaks of a future where the world unites to solve global problems.

It is wise to remember that we are living in times of great change when the old order is changing and there is considerable upheaval and push back. There  is a planetary awakening going on simultaneously and its wise to cultivate courage and align personal energy with the positive work going on in the world now that strives to create  a better future.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”Two lovers strolling through a secluded park.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill