Mercury Retrograde of Winter 2016-2017: A Body of Knowledge

Shadow period begins (Mercury’s first pass through Sagittarius 29)- 12/1/16

Mercury stations retrograde in Capricorn 16- 12/19/16

Mercury stations direct in Sagittarius 29- 1/8/17

Shadow period ends (Mercury’s second pass through Capricorn 16- 1/27/17

As we bring one year to a close and welcome another, Mercury is once again in retrograde.  The dates described above not only cover the time period that Mercury is retrograde, but also the shadow zone of this retrograde.  During this whole span of almost two months, the focus is on the physical body and our abilities to condition it past its perceived limitations and past our accumulated habits that inhibit our well-being.

Mercury direct often deals with the conscious mind as well as outward communication.  When it goes retrograde, we tend to delve into the unconscious or subconscious realms of the mind to pick up pieces of memory or knowledge we will need for what is to come.  The communication inward becomes enriched…and sometimes, with that focus, we occasionally see that outward communication becomes more difficult.  You may notice the usual scheduling snafus, communication breakdowns, electronic malfunctions, or transportation issues as can be the norm during a particularly stressed Mercury Retrograde transit.  In those setbacks, it is often because we need to take a step back and think something through that we may have overlooked.  Revision is often the best mindset for such times.

But there is always good reason for these breaks in our usual ways of communicating and relating to the outside world, however illogical it may seem during those initial transitions between our mental states.

Capricorn 16- Boys and Girls in Gymnasium Suits

This symbol has much to do with physical exercise, but also with emotional enjoyment and social interaction.  When you suit-up for something, you are prepared to put forth the effort required…and when you are surrounded by others who are doing the same, there is even more motivation.  At first, though, there may be performance anxieties…something about your physical body seems faulty.  The paradox within feeling this feeling though, is that the effort you put in is directly related to the amount you improve upon not just your physical body but also your mind.  You may not feel you can physically achieve something, but of course you can’t unless you actually do it. 

The station of Mercury here (from Sunday night to Monday morning, specifically, though it can stretch out for as long as a couple days) may be that anxious pause, where not only does the excitement of what could be grows…but also the psyching out of ourselves that often precedes doing some physical task can increase our trepidation.  “What if I fail?” is the subconscious feeling.  “People will see me fail.” Is the accompaniment.  Yet, in the pause, if we listen closely to the still voice within rather than the discouraging din…there is that message from the matrix of our soul that guides us to do and be our best.  If we comply, we have already taken the first step to heal our physical existence by repairing our soul communication within.  Our physical bodies are imprinted with the knowledge that if our soul urges us to do something, we must do it for an optimal outcome.  To impede that progress is to deny our soul growth…and that’s where so many of our problems arise.

“Do or do not.  There is no try.” Perhaps your still voice within talks like Master Yoda.  Sometimes mine does.

Sagittarius 29- An Overweight Child Mowing the Lawn

At the close of this Mercury Retrograde, we come back to something we didn’t quite perceive correctly the first time around (at the beginning of December).  Perhaps it was that the beginning of the holiday season was upon us…but there was likely some over indulgence, or concern about our social standing, or even self-consciousness about our outward appearance.  December, for many of us, is a month that is often full of social interaction with family and friends.  This symbol, on the surface, shows that while on the inside we may be struggling with what society often deems acceptable, we still try to make an effort to keep up appearances and attend to our ‘curb appeal’.  But our focus may have been a little off.  While trying to please others, we may have only done the bare minimum of taking care of our own issues.  The key to this symbol is not in the Sisyphean feat of attending to societal expectations, but in the actual physical effort of our mind-body connection to elevate us to a new level within.  Frankly, it doesn’t matter how we are perceived to be handling things by others.  If we are taking care of ourselves, we can better take care of all else that is important in our lives.  In going through this degree again with Mercury on January 8^th next year, we will be better prepared to keep up with our own wellness rather than just keeping up the appearance of being ‘okay’. 

There is another key here that we’ll be learning along the way during this retrograde.  We have to allow ourselves emotional enjoyment during our physical tasks, otherwise we won’t want to do them.  While, as an adult, you may learn to enjoy something like mowing the lawn (or shoveling the snow as it might be this winter) for whatever reason…if you’re an overweight child doing these tasks, you are likely not enjoying it.  It is difficult then, before our frontal lobe fully develops our reasoning capabilities, to focus on the good that the task is doing not only for your physical body but also in service to others…and service to the maintenance of our mind-body-soul connection. 

You have to enjoy what you are doing in order to continue to do it.  Here, we are finding out our place in society that both contributes to the whole as well as to our personal fulfillment.  Take comfort in your friends and family at this time, as they can amplify the message within you that brings you to where you need to be.

Love and Gratitude,

Felina Lune Kavi

Long Nights' Moon: Transformation and Ascension

Long Nights’ Moon:  Transformation and Ascension

December 13^th, 2016 @ 6:05pm CST

The Projective Energy of the Mystic Rectangle

A Mystic Rectangle is an astrological aspect configuration of four or more celestial bodies in two oppositions linked by two trines and two sextiles.  The opposition energies can struggle to balance from one extreme to the next, but the trines and sextiles provide a beneficial opportunity to access that balance by giving it structure, direction, and amplified intention.  In this Full Moon’s Mystic Rectangle, the Moon in Gemini, Sun and Saturn in Sagittarius, Jupiter in Libra, and Uranus and Ceres in Aries are working together in the projective energies of air and fire signs.  What this means is that rather than receiving this energy inwards (as it would be with earth and water signs), we will be giving this energy out to where it is needed if we choose to tap into this beneficial recalibration of our own energies.  There are 6 celestial bodies aligning now for this attunement, with Sun-Saturn and Uranus-Ceres combining in conjunctions to double the strength of those respective fire signs.  A mystical, rectangular portal is open during this Full Moon, and those who can find it will be stepping through.

So, where do we find it?  As always, it is an individual path we each take to get to a collective ascension…and a transformative process that occurs differently for each person.  We are all at various stages of major lessons in our lives, after all, and our lessons may interact with each other but always in ways specific to our own soul’s growth.  While one individual may find illumination in the lessons of relationships or marriage, another may find it in adulthood, parenthood, sagehood, birth or death.

There are clues and keys within the specific degrees of this aspect configuration, though, which may guide you along your own path as they apply to your journey.  Your own interpretation of the following symbols can reveal the key piece by piece…and your piecing together of that puzzle is what can unlock the portal for you.  I wish you well on this stage of your journey, should you choose to accept it.

Full Moon in 23 Gemini:  Three Fledglings in a Nest High in a Tree

The keyword for this degree is ‘elevation’.  This energy is one of supportive growth and transformation.  At the same time as we are one of these fledglings in our own way, we are also urged to be the protective comfort of the nest that allows others the space to grow.  We take care of each other in these ways…helping one another to build up strength and eventually learn how to take wing and soar.  There is a distinct social element to the Full Moon in Gemini, where we are urged to band together through familiar bonds and learn from each other how to best become who we intend to be.

Sun in 23 Sagittarius:  Immigrants Enter a New Country

The keyword for this degree is ‘entrance’.  Here we are to access more expansive and inclusive modes of behavior.  Like the previous degree, this symbol gives a sense of banding together with those whom we are familiar in order to emotionally integrate and transition into another way of life.  With a strong sense of personal and spiritual power, we can confront and resolve sensitive issues…leading to our own ascension.

Saturn in 20 Sagittarius:  Men Cutting Through Ice for Summer Use

The keyword for this degree is ‘procurement’.  Again, we have another grouping of individuals working toward a common goal…this is a theme throughout many of the symbols of the mystic rectangle degrees.  Saturn here shows us that if we plan ahead, we can successfully reach our goals with cooperation and mutual respect.  This energy encourages leadership qualities, willing participation, integrity and trust.  Preparation and dedication will get us to where we want to be.

Jupiter in 19 Libra:  A Gang of Robbers in Hiding

The keyword for this degree is ‘divergence’.  This degree has two sides.  On one hand, it can point out energy blockages that need to be broken up as well as repel negative energy.  On the other hand, there is the archetypal energy of a Robin Hood image, redistributive and alternative.  Either way, you may try to keep something hidden (something shadowy or, conversely, not wanting to show off your true talents), yet you will likely be noticed anyway. 

Uranus in 21 Aries:  A Pugilist Enters the Ring

The keyword for this degree is ‘exertion’.  On the opposite side of the ‘hiding’ image where Jupiter currently resides, Uranus is in a position of confidence and bravery…showing our talents to the world.  There is an energy of steely determination and iron resolve here, giving you the confidence to defend what it is you believe.  This energy can be used to strengthen the mind, balance and fortify the mind-body connection, and also exercise the mind, body and spirit.  Though it is a very spotlighting energy, it is also very grounding.  While this symbol does not follow with the groupings of individuals that the previous symbols did, it does carry the same theme of ‘entrance’ as the Sun.  But Aries is the energy of self-sufficiency…and, appropriately, working well with others toward a common goal does take some initiative leadership.

Ceres in 22 Aries:  The Gate to the Garden of Desire

The keyword for this degree is ‘prospect’.  Here we have the earth mother, Ceres, in a position that also grants ‘entrance’ but without the human or animal groupings present in the previous symbols.  This symbol focuses on plant life and the purity and beauty it holds, as well as something that is often tapped at a full moon…our heart’s desire.  Ceres here calls upon us all to amplify pure love, as nature does.  There is a certain invincibility beyond this gate she brings us to, where our desires and intentions can be amplified to refract inner dreams outward to ideas and action.  She asks us to see the beauty in all things and reflect eternal possibilities in all we do.

The Wounded Healer at the Apex of the Full Moon’s T-Square

Another aspect configuration at play in the Full Moon’s energy is a T-square with Chiron in Pisces.  A T-square arises when the celestial bodies within an opposition (in this case, the Moon in Gemini and Sun-Saturn in Sagittarius) are squared (perpendicular in degree) with another celestial body (Chiron).  Chiron, then, is the apex of this configuration…where the harsher energies of the tug-o-war of the sun-moon opposition will direct its stress and struggle. With the Mystic Rectangle providing an opportunity to access ascension though, we must use the stress of the T-square as if a bow being pulled to release an arrow to the bullseye of our intended target.  Squares, though often harsh and stressful, are for the purpose of inspiring necessary action.  Chiron asks us to look to our wounds to find the gifts that bring healing.  Even the symbol that astrologers use for Chiron looks much like a key.  Chiron’s archetypal energy of the Wounded Healer guides us to finding the light in the darkness of our own wounds.

Chiron in 21 Pisces:  A Little White Lamb, a Child, and a Chinese Servant

The keyword for this degree is “talent”.  It is not uncommon to find natural abilities and innate divine gifts are cultivated within the healing process of our wounds.  Perhaps a disability requires you to nurture new abilities that were latent until you felt a lack.  Or maybe you found an expressive talent in one area when your expression in another area was damaged by self-doubt or outside judgement.  Sometimes it is a shocking death of a loved one that inspires new direction in our life.  A lack of balance within relationships can clarify our own needs and provide an impetus to restore balance within ourselves.  Even damaged self-worth can lead us to being able to see and amplify the worth of others, and eventually ourselves.  These are only a few examples of individual wounds.  With the wounded healer, Chiron, in Pisces…the collective woundedness is one of questioning a higher power in the face of humanity’s self-destruction.  Like the dualistic symbol of two fish swimming in opposite directions, we often submit to only two choices to respond to our struggle.  In this wounding, we can seek to escape from Spirit, or we can seek shelter in Spirit.  We are prone to addiction and self-destruction in the extremes of both.  The truth is, we do not need to seek Spirit at all…but only need to recognize and honor the Spirit within all things, including ourselves.  Collectively, we want to have a sense of purpose and belonging in this life…and Chiron in this degree of the zodiac is helping to fortify that sense through a collective healing process.  There is some self-sacrifice involved in this process that can lead to clear, positive, social impact.  Ultimately, we are here to serve our younger generations, the innocents, and provide them with the best opportunities for cultivating their own genius.  In doing so, our own talents are enhanced.

In closing, I want to express something.  If it has been a difficult time during this moon phase so far, please know that you are opening to something beyond the pain of that experience.  Take comfort in your friends and family who will see you through this trying time as best they can.  And feel free to message me for any help you may need in unlocking the potential of this heightened energy you are experiencing.

Love and Gratitude,

Felina Lune Kavi