Mercury in Gemini- Long Shot

card shark by twak, CCL

Helios Says:

“Scientists have calculated that the chances of something so patently absurd actually existing are millions to one. But magicians have calculated that million-to-one chances crop up nine times out of ten.” -Terry PratchettAfter what seems like a lifetime of plodding through Taurus, Mercury has finally decided to get his shit together and head into Gemini, the sign he rules, and it could not come at a better time. You see, Taurus is all about "Slow and steady wins the race". Incremental success is valued, after careful and consistently applied effort. Using that approach, a bird could peck away at a mountain with just its beak!

Of course the problem with this approach is that we as living beings have a finite amount of time, and who wants to devote that precious time to one, singular pursuit? Wouldn't it make more sense to just get a shitton of TNT and blow that damn mountain up?

In a nutshell, that is what he is pushing you to do right now. You have done all your prep work, you have been hustling behind the scenes for months now, and now it is time to make your move. Of course, nothing is ever guaranteed, as much as we would love for it to be- at the end of the day, whenever you take an action, there is a certain element of risk or chance. Mercury is all about speculation and luck, especially in Gemini. This is literally his deal. Sure, you may not come out ahead 100% of the time, but you will miss every shot that you don't take!

Let it ride

Artemis says:

Cards:  Temperance, Judgement, 7 of Wands

“Are you proud of yourself tonight that you have insulted a total stranger whose circumstances you know nothing about?”  - Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird

I’ve been preaching a lot of compassion lately.  I believe that it is probably the most important thing in the world right now.  Only when we open our channels up to merging with others will we be able to make the vital connections that are necessary for conscious evolution of our kind.  Today (6/1) another immense event is taking place.  Uranus is going conjunct Eris.  The majority of the planets are in mutable signs at the moment, and a mutable grand cross is only days away.  There is no better time than now to choose how you want to climb the shifting ladder of ideas.  Spin your webs and get ready for what’s ahead.  

Mercury in Gemini has a very busy energy about it.  What is the essence of this archetypal combination?  I believe Gemini is constantly trying to make pairings and connections (hello twins), so I would say that intellectual conversation will be on a dramatic rise.  This is good.  We are being set up to help each other shift right now.  With Mars retrograding in Scorpio, you will have to fight back feelings of judgement and rashness with words.  Is it better to instantly judge a thing before exploring a thing?  Gemini would say that would be a spit in the face of the scientific process.  

We have a warning here.  It is extremely easy to make snap judgments and move on with our shallow interpretation of reality.  It is comfortable that way.  It’s hard to have to actually chew on things and process and merge with people.  Listen, you only have so many years to live in your short little mortal life (I mean, what we know of at least).  Sure, you can shut out everyone who dissents and tunnel your way toward a dead end, because that’s exactly what it is when you don’t take in all data (Gemini the scientist is being very serious about this).  Or you can explore people’s minds and find the undeniable connections we all share.  

This reading is giving me one more warning.  Mercury in Gemini energy is extremely hyper active.  7 of Wands is telling us to solidify our determination because it will be harder than ever to stay the course.  When so many things are coming at us right now, it is hard to keep our course on projects we have committed to.  Keep an eye on your agenda while making sure to leave enough flexibility to get the most out of this energy.  Balance has been the key in the past, and never will it not be the key.  

Mercury Retrograde- Sending A Message

Well guys, its that time again- Mercury Retrograde season. I know you're super excited.

Obligatory link for those who have no clue what im talking about. Also this.

Its in Scorpio no less (well, it Starts in Saggo, but there is Scorping to be done as well, so im claiming it)- So you guys know what that means... MOAR DRAMA AND CRAPOLA TO DEAL WITH!! YAYY!! Specifically drama related to ancient, soul-searing angst you thought that you were well done with, and psych-revelations/insights that will shock you and may leave you in huddling in a corner.

(Well that is definitely one way to rock this transit, thats for sure...)

A interesting effect of this is it reeks of synchronicity. What you are trying to avoid dealing with, you will be forced to confront. Also, Im issuing an Undead Exes alert- Do not fall into the trap of going back and covering old ground. Forward motion only!

Here's what I would do though-

Prep-

• Change every ex you still have in your phone to something along the lines of DONT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT or OFF LIMITS. I dont care what unresolved crap you guys have, the answer is NO *swats your nose with a newspaper*.  
• Declutter your everything- If you dont need it, its taking up space. Sell it, donate it, I dont really care. Just make it disappear.
• Make your Planner your best friend. Schedule and plan everything you can. This will save you so much grief its not even funny. Also- go back into Mars in Virgo mode: If it can be tracked, it can be conquered.
• Join a 24-Hour gym, so that you have somewhere to go at 3:26 am when you cant sleep and you need to work out some agression, no questions asked. One with a pool would be preffered, but a sauna will do.

Action-

• Make some kind of announcement about your plans when Merc goes Retrograde, as close to the actual time as possible for maximum oomph. And yes, I know, this flies in the face of all the Mercury Retrograde advice ive ever given, but we are living under rebel stars now.
• After said plans are made, drop a smoke grenade and pull a vanishing act for the rest of the Retrograde. In fact, dont reappear til after Merc gets back into Sag.
• Plot. Plot everything. Every detail.
• Keep everything to yourself. This is not the time to be spouting out your plans to everyone who will listen.
• Basically, go into full-on Gemini mode. Das rite, Hellraisers- Time to act like the twins. I dont often suggest it, but when I do its because theres nothing else that will work quite as well.

Pro Tips-

• Deal with any situation that arises quickly and with minimal drama.
• For some reason, spending time in seedy dive bars alone, looking fantastic and sipping on a stiff drink brings synchronicity. Vibe mysterious and with a story to tell.
• Have orgasms. Lots of orgasms.
• Heated pools and hot tubs are magic. Spend as much time in them as possible.
• Smoke cigars
• Im serious about the orgasms
• Avoid moose (moose are fine, its those bison you have to watch out for)

Above all else, chase what stokes your passion. Dont be stupid enough to hold yourself back now, not when you've come this far.

And whatever you do, do it with style.
-The AstroGeek



Scorpio Black Ops, Act IIII: Mercury in Scorpio- Talk Dirty To Me

Oh I have been WAITING for the right moment to use this one, guys. Mercury into Scorp, huh? Well this is Round 3. Officially the home stretch now.

Right then- Mercury. The bastard has been wrapping up his stay in Libra, and is partied out. Enough of the platitudes, backhanded insults and being civilized- Mercury wants something real.

Right now he feels like a private dick from an old whodunit. Craving the streets and a good puzzle to tackle, our boy is getting antsy. Luckily, there is a lot of work to be done in Scorpio...

Its time, ladies and gentlemen, to focus on the matter at hand (whatever that may be) and make some decisions. Wherever you have Scorpio is going to get a mental supercharge, in addition to all the other nonsense happening there. For me, that is the 10th, so its all about my career and worldly ambitions.

The big thing about Merc in Scorp is that he gets so hungry for knowledge right now. You may find yourself interested in new ideas that are a little... offbeat. Follow where they lead, if you dare.

Also, if you are doing any kind of psychological/ subconscious work (and even if you're not), this is an amazing time to take a good, hard look at what's in the dark, murky depths and get some awesome insights about it. Take time to be alone with your thoughts and give yourself a chance to process these insights.

Also, obligatory Scorp warning- For some reason, this placement turns the Mercury ruled (like yours truly) into full blown lothario mode. And while we think we are being smooth, in practice it ends up more like a bad impression of Austin Powers. Its better to read body language, and the intention behind the words rather than listen to the words themselves, which are guaranteed to make you laugh and probably spit up your drink. Unless you're into that sort of thing...?

(Oh damn it, its starting to get to me too. Better end it before I go overboard!)

Good hunting!

 

-The AstroGeek

Mercury (And Pallas Athene!) in Pisces- Sweet Nothings

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Well, ladies and gentlemen, everyone's favorite messenger is officially in Pisces. So without further ado, lets all do some shots! No, i joke. But seriously, after Merc gets clear of Neptune, im giving you guys a little bit of a break to cut a little loose. Or if you're a fearless bastard, do it while they're all still conjunct.

Why am i giving you guys a pass after being so vehemently anti-booze? Well, its a cheap and dirty way to tap into Mercury. If you're more spiritually inclined, id recommend staying clean, eating vegan, and keeping up with your meditation (Or you could just take some Ayahuasca, like your old pal Astro). However, if you're not, its doubtful you follow my advice anyway, so I'm covered.

(Note from the AG Skywatch legal team: Astrogeek's Skywatch ONLY endorses responsible drinking, and under no circumstances is this to be taken as an encouragement to imbibe, nor is it an endorsement of the any particular alcoholic beverage [However, if you would be interested in sponsoring us, please feel free to contact us so we can get fat checks to pay for our coke habit {Astrogeek's Skywatch does not endorse recreational drug use. Stay in School, kids; or you'll wind up as an Astrologer}] nor is Astrogeek's Skywatch to be held responsible for whatever dumb shit you do while under the influence, or ever. So there.)

Now that we've covered all the bases: imbibing now is a great way to do Shamanic work, and help your resolve long-standing issues. If you do it right, you may even get a life-altering revelation or something! Or maybe you'll just wind up hungover the next morning. Its funny how these things work out.

This placement is also famous for deception and illusion. Its very easy to get caught up in the rush of a new love or adventure, only to wind up in Boston a week later, naked and missing a kidney. Stick to a healthy dose of Saturn for best results.

On that tack, lets look to our girl Pallas Athene, who is also entering Pisces. Im pretty sure we haven't really gone over Pallas all that well (some Minor Planet Astrologer I turned out to be!), so quick study- She rules Politics, diplomacy, tactics, the military as a whole, statistics, and fair play (unless it suits her to cheat. She can be a bitch like that.)

So with a global war in Iran and Syria looming (or so the media is telling us) it becomes critically important to look at Pallas. Now this feels just like the build up to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, doesn't it? And we have a media (Pisces) who is pushing this down our throats, and we have to wonder: "Why?" I understand that there are atrocities being committed in the region, as people fight to win their freedom, however we are just getting out of a war, and we certainly do not need to rush into another crusade.

And since we are dealing with Pisces, everything is hidden and must be figured out by careful scrutiny.

And so I pull up the Iraq war chart (3/20/2003 at 05:33 local time, if you're interested), which is a fascinating chart that I really need to take a day and just analyze the crap out of; and what do we find? Pallas and Mercury, both linked up in Pisces (and Lilith in Taurus as well, same as right now). History doesn't repeat itself, but it rhymes.

Are we headed into another drawn out, messy war over resources? Im not sure. But with the ratcheting tensions here at home (in the U.S. at least [and pretty much everywhere else- the people even turned on Putin! {Bitches love Putin}]) and the deep fight we find ourselves embroiled in over who we are as Human beings, there is no one that is not touched by the rapid change that is enveloping our world. Astrologically, this was initiated by the Cardinal Crisis, and continued by Uranus square Pluto.

On quaking skies
-The AstroGeek

Full Moon in Leo- Luck be a Lady

Ladies and Gentlemen, do I have a Moon for you!

The theme this week comes to us courtesy of The Little Sister, who is currently traipsing through Fabulous Las Vegas. I may or may not have put Mercury on tracker detail, making sure she doesn't get into too much trouble (Like even HE could stop that from happening).  

Jumping right in...

Sun/Mercury/Moon- (Oh, check that out! That's all different from usual!) This time around, the Sun is conjunct Mercury, and both are opposing the Moon, so for the sake of brevity (and because Aquarius just loves to break the rules) It becomes one category. Which complicates matters, so im going to wing this one. Stick with me, even if it makes absolutely no sense. Besides, everything's fluid now that Neptune is in Pisces. So, we have a trine/sextile to Haumea, telling us that this cycle is all about creating new patterns. A sextile/trine to Ixion demands that you go after what you want with reckless abandon, consequences be damned. This is further developed in a sextile/trine to Hidalgo, who demands that you hold your ground, stick to your guns, and fight for what you believe in, because trust me, you will be coming under fire. Keep your cool, and do not give in for anything. A trine/sextile to Hekate reminds you that at this moment, you are 100% in control of your life, and the choices that you make will define how it plays out. No one else can be blamed for what you decide to do (and stop looking for someone to blame if it all goes wrong before you actually take any action). There is a square to Requiem; This is going to be a very active period, so take your rest when and where you can. Finally, there is a conjunction/opposition of Orpheus, so right now its time (while all the rest is going on) to put on your most charming, calm, cool and collected self and subtly take over the universe. You'll kill at parties.

(See, that wasnt so bad, now was it?)

Mercury- Okay overenthusiastic Gemini, go back and read the first part again.

Venus- We catch our girl at a bad time, she's being evicted from the Pisces House because she hasn't paid her rent. More important things to do, you understand. As she runs headlong towards the Aries House to shack up with Uranus, she makes a square to Photographica, which calls to mind a Paris Hilton/Paparazzi moment (or M.I.A. at the Super Bowl...) so be careful of being caught in compromising moments. Maybe triggered by the twin squares to Bacchus and Dionysius... You guys (hopefully, by this point) know what im going to say next: LAY OFF THE BOOZE!! Oh and she also makes a square to Hades (on the Anaretic of Pisces, no less) so watch out for all those old romantic dramas to rear their ugly heads one last time.

Mars- Mars is... You know what, screw it! Until further notice, Mars is ignored. He's in Virgo, and will be till (what feels like) the end of time. Ive had Pluto Transits that were shorter than this... *peeks at aspects* Oh good lord. Ok, there's too much here to just write off (as if you could ever just write off Mars). First up, trine to Asbolus: Razor sharp insight re: what is going on with your life, and your life path. Clouded by alcohol, so dont indulge. A square to Echeclus gives you tremendous reasoning power to draw up battle plans, but also makes the slightest mess intolerable. Dont lose focus. A trine to Sedna demands that you dont skip your workouts, or try to shut out your inner warrior. The consequences are not pretty. A square to Cupido has your libido firing on all cylinders, so find an appropriate channel for it. This is also suggested by an opposition to Vesta. Try Tantric sex, or Kundalini yoga. A sextile to Achilles (really? Mars wasn't enough on his own, we had to throw Achilles in the mix?) reminds you that you are not invincible, so don't go overboard. A sextile to Osiris tells you that that thing you really loved to do and quit doing, say circa 2006? Might be time to revisit that. A square to Ascelpius demands that you take care of yourself first and foremost, so that you can devote your efforts to taking over the world (or whatever it is you guys do in your spare time; i dont judge, i just inform). Last but not least, we have... (no, no thats not right; It cant be. Theres no way. Its not like hes Damocles or something, making random jumps around the sky...) Mars trine Heracles. Screw what I said about Achilles, you're freaking invincible right now (my lawyers have informed me that i need to make it expressly clear that Astrogeek's Skywatch does not actually think that you are invincible, makes no claims regarding that as such, and therefore cannot be held responsible for whatever stupid stunts you pull because you took one sentence out of context from a gigantic post. So there.)


Jupiter- Well well well, look who's making progress and is finally past 1 Taurus! Of course, As above so Below, so your life is also progressing. Build upon the success and refuse to get logged down by the setbacks. A trine to Chiron tells you to screw the conventional, and go your own way. It might just pay off in spades, so why not take a chance? A trine to Orcus reminds you to keep up with your obligations, however. A sextile to Sphinx highlights that there is a degree of mystery regarding the best path to take yourself down, so hold off on making any big decisions for the time being. A sextile to Askalaphus shows that you might be called to speak up and point out something that others have missed, even if it is unpopular and you may be running a risk.

Saturn- Freshly retrograde, Saturn is wrapping up all the old business that he has been ignoring lately. There will be a reckoning... The trine between him and Neptune is still strong, so the focus is still on making the tough choices and taking real, concrete action to achieve your goals, whatever they may be. He's still conjunct Apollon too, so watch out for scattering your energies and trying to take on too much at once. There is a trine to Hades in effect as well, so it will not be easy work, but keep at it and it WILL pay off. A trine to Pallas Athene helps you keep your head, and able to respond when the little things come up; respond swiftly, or be derailed. A trine to Siva will be a boon to you, helping you bust out of the rut that you may have found yourself in as of late, so work with it.


Uranus- Oh cripes, is it time for Venus-Uranus again? Oh well, back to the disaster bunker... There's a pretty nice trine between the cosmic jokester and Terpsichore, attributing to the infectious good mood. He is also trine Juno, so watch out for relationship weirdness. Speak slowly and calmly so you dont get misunderstood. Adding to that is a trine to Persephone, so you may find yourself coming across a little cold (read: acrtic) and it may surprise you that while you may be focusing on those grand Neptunian /Saturnine goals, you need to keep your head here in the now, or else those dreams are never going to come to fruition.

Neptune- Since Neptune is now firmly ensconced in Pisces (or as firmly ensconced as you can get Neptune in Pisces...) all I have to say is: Let the games begin! Neptune is very well placed right now, what with the trine to Saturn, and the sextile to Jupiter. There is also a trine to Hades, so watch your pride and feelings of entitlement, especially when it comes to not getting what you want. Let it go. A square to Amor shows that all might not be what it seems with that new person who just showed up out of nowhere to sweep you off your feet. Neptune is also trine Dionysius and sextile Bacchus, so the temptation to go trip off of your favorite Neptunian high is going to be very strong, but work Mars in Virgo to temper it.

Pluto- Pluto's relatively quiet this time, which always means he's plotting. A square to Minerva confirms this, so plan out your strategy, and execute it flawlessly. There's nothing better than a plan that gets carried out perfectly. The sextile to Hermes agrees, so again, plan THEN act, dont just go from your gut, no matter how insistent Venus in Aries gets. A sextile to Kassandra indicates that although you can see the end goal, and how it will all play out, you cannot play the result. Keep moving forward, and do your duty to the best of your ability.

                                                                              Here's to Dame Fortune!
                                                                             -The AstroGeek

Now go watch Starzina's Time of the Month so we can get our money from the really generous Nigerian Prince, or something...

No songs of the zeitgeist this time, as I have to go bail my sister out of jail. Something about assaulting Thunder from Down Under, thats all I could get out of Mercury (Next time, im calling Venus)

Mercury in Aquarius- Sacred Blasphemy

Om mani padme hum....
Om namah shivaya....
Om vakratunda mahakaaya suryakoti samaprabha nirvighnam kuru may deva sayrva kaaryeshu sarvada....


Oh hey didn't see you there. Don't bug me, i've almost got moksha; come back in 39 years... Om shri kali kayai namah... 


What? You're still here? Fine, I suppose you're wanting me to talk about astrology. Well too bad, I don't do that anymore. Now, i meditate on the mysteries of our mysterious universe. I think i've almost figured it out; the answer has to do with mangoes. Now go away, you're seriously harshing my zen. Om shri ram, jaya ram, jaya jaya ram...


....
....


You're still sitting there, aren't you? Thought so.


Alright, fine. Astrology it is then. Lets see, where are we...? *checks diary* Have we done Jim the Fish yet? No? Saved the cheerleader? Ok, way past that. Sorry, it all gets a bit confusing after you realize time is just an illusory construct....


Oh here we are: Mercury in Aquarius. Whew buddy. 


Ok, so the lay of the land: Mercury is considered to be exalted in Aquarius, so he (most of the time) loves every second of his travels through this sign. If you're paying attention, you'll realize that Saturn and Venus are ALSO exalted at the moment, but we'll deal with them later. 


In Aquarius, its like already cracked-out Mercury gets hooked up to a Tesla Coil. Think total brain upgrade, which is slightly unfair considering that he just had to struggle through Capricorn. So we go from fighting for every inch of progress, right into all systems GO!!!!


There is a downside to this, however. As any astrologer can tell you, Aquarius is famous for its detachment from mundane issues to focus on matters that are more... cosmic. Also, any kind of emotional crap or drama game is bound to fail miserably, as it just does not work in Aqua. It just gets ignored.

So, how do you navigate this transit? Well, for starters, get out and go blow off some steam. Its been a rough couple months, and its not going to get any easier. Next, if you need an escape, go meditate for a while. I know its tempting to go for your favorite drug of choice, but you really dont want to try to do this time under the influence with Neptune still in the mix. Leave that to the less aware, victim types. You have greatness waiting. 

Carry on the theme of making great strides towards your dreams, small steps made often wins the day (especially with Mars in Retro). On that track, you may find that you are just drained of any energy whne it comes to what you've been doing lately. That's your cue to try something new, something that you've always wanted to but never got around to (or that you used to love but have not had any time to do anymore).

Key here is working toward making progress without focusing on the results. Detach now, and watch how easily you succeed. Let your haters spur you on instead of drag you down, and know that the more you have, the bigger the effect you are having on life. Change is not going to happen overnight, so keep going. Trust your gut, if you have any sudden flashes ofd genius, follow them and see where they take you.

Now get the hell out of my Ashram, I have some serious contemplation to do.

Om yatra yatra raghu nada keerthanam, thathra thathra krudha masthakanjalim, bhashpa vari pari poorna lochanam, maruthim namatha rakshasanthakam....

OM....

Mercury Retrograde- The Psychopomp

Ok, for starters- You guys are all freaking amazing! Without you guys, it’s just me babbling to myself in cyberspace. Also, in interesting new developments, I would like to formally greet all my readers in Romania- Bună ziua, România!

Now on to the Astro! Next up, Mercury Retrograde. Oh, dont give me that, Its not that bad. All the usual stuff applies, dont sign contracts/make major purchases/entertain the partners from Tokyo blah blah blah, you want that pop astro, go somewhere else, the rest of you, get ready. We’re going somewhere we’ve never been before. Yes, you’ve come a long way, baby- Remember that, because what im about to say will shock you. We are standing at the Gates of Hell. Yes, Hell. Ill give you a minute to freak out.

Better? Good; now here’s the deal. We are standing at the Gates of Hell, like I said. The thing is, we are on the INSIDE of the gate. Let that sink in. We are standing inside of the Gates of Hell, and its time to leave. On the other side is Paradise. First though, we have to prove that you’re ready to leave.

Ladies and Gentlemen, its time to face the Dweller on the Threshold.

What is the Dweller on the Threshold, you ask? Well, here’s where it gets a little technical; According to Alice Bailey- "From ancient recesses of the memory, from a deeply rooted past, which is definitely recalled, and from the racial and the individual subconscious (or founded and established thought reservoirs and desires, inherited and inherent) there emerges from individual past lives and experience, that which is the sum total of all instinctual tendencies, of all inherited glamour, and of all phases of wrong mental attitudes; to these, (as they constitute a blended whole) we give the name of the Dweller on the Threshold. This Dweller is the sum total of all the personality characteristics which have remained unconquered and unsubtle, and which must be finally overcome before initiation can be taken. Each life sees some progress made; some personality defects straightened out, and some real advance effected. But the unconquered residue, and the ancient liabilities are numerous, and excessively potent, and - when the soul contact's adequately established - there eventuates a life wherein the highly developed and powerful personality becomes, in itself, the Dweller on the Threshold. Then the Angel of the Presence and the Dweller stand face to face, and something must then be done. Eventually, the light of the personal self fades out and wanes in the blaze of glory which emanates from the Angel. Then the greater glory obliterates the lesser. This is, however, only possible when the personality eagerly enters into this relation with the Angel, recognizes itself as the Dweller, and - as a disciple - begins the battle between the pairs of opposites, and enters into the tests of Scorpio. These tests and trials are ever self-initiated; the disciple puts himself into the positive or conditioning environment wherein the trials and the discipline are unavoidable and inevitable. When the mind has reached a relatively high stage of development, the memory aspect is evoked in a new and conscious manner, and then every latent predisposition, every racial and national instinct, every unconquered situation, and every controlling fault, rises to the surface of consciousness, and then - the fight is on."

Translated- You have done a lot of work, and made a ton of progress. This is your final exam. Now you are going to come face to face with the embodiment of your fear, and it will be as strong as it has ever been- Exactly as strong as it has ever been, in fact. You, however are entering the ring stronger than you have ever been, and you are more than a match for your fear, right here and now. You are going to stare your fear straight in the face, and Laugh. Because if there is one thing the darkness cannot tolerate, it is being laughed at. Darkness is Fear, which in the end, the absence of Light; which is Joy and the connection to Source. When you laugh at the darkness, you expose its fear, and once you see the darkness’ fear of you, well then your fear dissolves into nothing.  This physical manifestation of your fear is really just a part of yourself that you need to re-integrate into your personality. That’s where it gets Shamanic.

In the Shamanic tradition, whenever we experience a trauma or shocking event, a piece of our soul splits off from the whole soul (Ha! Couldn’t resist, carry on [resist bad carrion joke, resisting…shit. Okay im done]) and when this happens, we need to bring those pieces back so we can be whole. This is usually achieved by the Shaman going into the underworld, a dangerous journey (semi-literally; the Shaman enters an altered state of consciousness, and makes the journey in that state. Then the Shaman does what is necessary to recover that piece of the soul, if at all possible). That brings us back full circle, in my unique and rambling fashion; In the Greek myths (my bedtime stories), technically speaking, there was only one God that could go in and out of the underworld as he pleased- Hermes (a.k.a. Mercury). Hermes is a psychopomp, a god who ferried souls from one life to the next. Originally, the job belonged to Apollo, but Hermes swindled it out of him about 3 hours after being born, because he was bored. To be fair, Apollo didn’t really care for the job, it cut into his lounging time way too much.

Now we know Mercury Retrograde, dont we guys? Forget all that pop astro crap (ok, maybe not all of it. Seriously, don't ever sign a contract during Mercury Retrograde, especially not Cell phones or Cars). Its not just that there is miscommunication, Mercury Retrograde exposes our illusions, and helps us get back to reality. In Saggo, Its all about facing your Fears and limits, and smashing through them with reckless abandon.

Now, back to the Gates; The Dweller on the Threshold, the piece of yourself lost to fear, is standing in your way to Hermes, who is ready to escort you to Paradise. Now this is not the end of our growth, oh no! Count this as the end of this phase (we haven’t even gotten to the eclipse yet!). Like I said, think of this as the final exam. Go back over what you have done this year, and how much progress you have made. Remember everything you have overcome, every painful moment, every accomplishment you have won. Then laugh at the monster; Keep laughing until he shrinks down into nothing. Stand in your strength, and Laugh. Remember- You’ve already gone through Hell.

                                                                               Live Dangerously,

                                                                               -The AstroGeek

Your song of the Zeitgeist-

Image courtesy of http://www.canalsonvenus.tumblr.com

New Moon in Libra: Jetpack Underwear

Still with me everybody? Good, because everything we just did is absolute cake. Those last 10 miles? Nothing to it! The lava pits, underwater pass, and the spike traps? Easy-Peasy! This is the halfway point. Now, we get to turn around and go back UP the mountain! Get STOQUED! (pause for inevitable groans) What, just three of you made it? But i was taking it easy on you guys today.... Oh well, more fun for us!

Welcome to Libra everybody! Glad you could join us. Pop a squat and lets plan out our little operation, shall we? First things first: Congratulations are in order for making it this far. We still have a long way to go, however, so this is only a brief respite. This New Moon is agitating the hell out of that old Cardinal Cross (what, you  didnt think we were done with that yet, did you? No way, sugarplum; we still got 2 more rounds of that monkey business!) This time, the focus is on Saturn. And Juno. Not to mention the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, and Venus... Jeez o'pete, there's a whole lot of Libra going on! Can you handle all this nice, happy, rose-colored optomism? (In a word, No.)

Now here's what the field is looking like right now: Cardinal Cross is back until the start of next week. What to do with this: Re-charge and re-align to that awesome whirlwind of change and positivity that you were 6 months ago. The mood has been anything but confident and revolutionary as of late, but right now? Total Awesome. You can feel it in the air, its like Pandora finally let Hope out of her pithos! This week is a great time to get back in the game, and to remind the world that you're still alive and kicking ass! That pipe dream you were so jazzed about back in March? Give it another look, see if you cant come up with a way to make it even more snazzy (No Daphne, put the bedazzler back down. Thats not what I meant.) and maybe come up with a new plan to put in to action this time, instead of hanging back. Go rock that audition, Ace that interview, or just stun on your night out. You're calling the shots this time, and nothing's going to happen unless you get out of your own way.

The Sun and Moon: Jumping right into the frying pan here, we see an energizing sextile from Mars, rocking the stage and challenging you to do the same. Uranus is sitting on the other side of the fence, picketing for "Change: Now, Damnit!!" (No one invited him to the party, not after what happened the last time). He isnt practicing what he preaches, though, so its a very lonely picket line. A much needed Pallas Athene is adding her detached, pure wisdom to the moment instead of just spouting off tired idealogy. A quincux to Chiron and Neptune, sitting uncomfortably in the corner, reminds you that you weren't always in the limelight, so try to bring others in on your victories, and help celebrate theirs. When one of us wins, we all win (so celebrate accordingly). The agitating square to Pluto, while painful, is helping you grow up to be the person you want to be. Stop fighting to hold on to what's not working, so you can get to work building what will. There's also a sextile to Hygeia, so taking care of your health is vital right now if you aren't trying to be benched. Eat right, excercise, and tan (Mars in Leo, don't shoot the messenger!). A square to Eurydike is pushing the boundaries of how far your partner (if you have one, of course) is willing to go for you. Dont get caught up in that game, its the kiss of death for sure. Oh, and ladies? No playing the Damsel-in-Distress card. Wait til the Full Moon to sling that BS. A trine to Kassandra is warning you that your warnings about a situation will be going unheeded, so dont try to force the issue. State your case, and let the chips fall where they may. Make sure you listen to good counsel yourself! A trine to Lachesis highlights the ideas and lessons that have had their time, recognize them, and detach from them so we can cut them away in Scorp. A square to Siva could easily find you on the warpath for some minor trifle. Remember, its just hair, it will grow back (watch the Leos wince; "Lies!" they roar) there's no need to destroy that hairdresser's day, and possibly career undeservedy. Another square, this time to Icarus, shows that your comfy, safe life is starting to feel like a prison sentence. You'll get to break free, but not just yet. Be a little more patient, and don't get carried away. A trine to Hephaistos helps you stay focused, but remember not to bring your work home with you. Carve some time out for yourself. A square to Child can easily transform the ego into something out of a parents worst nightmare. No Tantrums! A sextile to Tantalus can leave you feeling like the goal is so close that you can taste it, but is always just out of reach, leading you to dismay. All is not lost, however! There is a trine to Heracles, and a sextile to Eschelus, filling you with all the confidence you need to get the job done, and then some!

[Authors Note: I feel absolutely awful for anyone who tries to translate my incoherent ramblings into their native tounge (I'm talking to you, Korea!!). 100% serious right now, if this is you, email me and ill do everything i can to help make it easier for you]

Venus: Aahh, Venus. The Belle of the ball tonight, its her party and she knows it. Sitting exactly halfway through her home sign of Libra, she gets ready to meet with Saturn and Juno. What happens when the Gods of Love and Beauty; Marriage and Commitment; Duty and Dilligence get together? Well, if your ducks are all in a row, and you've been true to yourself and your needs, then this could definitely be your reward for all the hard work. If things are not so in-tune, however, expect the situation to get worse before it gets better. Adding into the mix is a sextile to the North Node, focusing on the future and starting a new chapter in your life. Furthering this goal is Astraea, sextiling our girl, softening her rough edges, and instilling a real, human love for the situation right now. Also, if you need to re-enter someone's life that you may have lost touch with (as long as you parted on good terms) now would be a good time to extend that olive branch. A conjunction to Toro, however, shows that you can be quite ruthless to anything that stands in your way, and if there is a difference of opinion, you will not give in easily. Watch for a square to Dionysius, there is an increased tendency to imbibe. Keep a level head at all times. A trine to Chaos provides you with the building blocks for the life you want to create, but in the end it is up to you to supply the blueprints. A sextile to Ixion shows that you have learned a lot in your suffering lately, and its time to graduate, and move on to the next level. But watch out for that sextile to Narcissus, and dont spend too much time admiring your own reflection.

MARS: I dont know why it always capitalizes when i type that out, but as he bellows out in joy every time, it does, its staying.  Our warrior is not too active right now, fitting for Libra. No, he's content just to stay on stage and play the show. There's a wide square to Jupiter, so a propensity for big dreams may be valid, avoid putting them into action till the windbag goes direct again. Use the trine to Uranus to help put your personal stamp of excellence on it, and bring it into its highest form. An opposition to Vesta shows you may be torn between your need for glory, and the needs of your cause. Take a more active role in your pet project and you'll suprise yourself at how well you handle the challenge. A sextile to Altjira heightens the need to put your super-high energies into creative works right now. Embrace your inner Superstar!!

Jupiter: Oh Jupiter, what are we to do with you? Squaring Vesta, the gassy fiend is feeling rather pagan, and imbibing in Dionysius' famous wine (not to mention his famous nymphs!). There is a trine to Elatus, further amping up the good mood, and general optimism, but dont be fooled by snake oil salesmen (or Mercury armed with roses!). A sextile to Cyllarus lends great confidence, and natural alpha-male leadership skills, but be careful not to paint yourself up as too much of a hero if you can't deliver on the promise. An opposition to Deucalion can leave you feeling slightly adrift, like you're just waiting for the clouds to clear and the path will be swathedin heavenly light (not going to happen, but a pretty picture nonetheless). Get out there and make what you want happen! Another opposition, this time to Ceto, can make you feel an uneasy sense of dread and danger, something you cant quite put your finger on.... Trust your instincts.

Saturn: The old codger is finally moving again, now that Mercury returned his walker ( "But I just needed to borrow it for a second!!" ) A great Sextile to the North Node shows that your sights are set on the future, and the past is buried behind you. And not a moment too so on, if we had to spend another second dredging up every. single. one. of those old issues, i was about to kill someone. No matter. There is an exciting opposition to Eris, stimulating you to reach for new heights, and not to let anything stop you. A quincunx to Ceres indicates you might be averse to accepting other's help, prefering your own counsel. Dont shut them out, these are the people who care about you. A supportive trine to Eros though, helps you stay in touch with your more human side, so there's no real danger of not having those you need around you. A trine to Phaethon helps your star rise, but don't bite off more than you can chew or you'll be brought back down to earth in a hurry! Damocles sword is hanging over your head though, so watch you back (and the ceiling) Saturn Conjunct Haumea helps you get out and reconnect to our great, magical world.

Uranus: Stuck in the picket line, Uranus has a lot of time to think. Right now, with a sextile to Amor, the weirdo god is having a rare, protacted inner battle over love; real Human love, not the impersonal, universal love he enjoys. A trine to Chariklo though shows that your message is directly speaking from the human subconcious, and therefore, you find it easy to rally support for it,

Neptune: Can't I just skip this part? Ugh, okay. The only aspect i'm seeing is an opposition to Psyche. Eat it up, Fabio!

Pluto: Watch out for Teharonhiawako, mood change can happen, just like that. Use the opportunity to transmute some of the older, outdated and particular emotions and drama that really has no place in your life. Once you do, you'll be suprised at what comes in to take its place!

 All in all, an excellent opportunity to get yourself back on track, just keep a clear head. Identify the places that you are ready to let go of, but dont get too hung up on making the changes happen yesterday. Make the project flawless first, and worry about implementing it next month. Focus and Refine, Let go and Re-align is the name of the game! Just get back in there, and yes, YOU CAN HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT! That does not mean that a porsche is going to show up in your driveway just because you stick it on your vision board. These things take work, a lot of it, and that's what we're doing right now! Stay the course!

                                                                                       Allons-Allons!
                                                                                     -The AstroGeek


 For your viewing and listening pleasure, my song pick for the zeitgeist- Enjoy

ASTROSCENE: Pobodys Nerfect

Busy times here, seems like everybody's got a job to do and they're doing it well.

The Sun and Jupiter are still having an unofficial feud, but nobody can remember what it was about, or why everyone keeps finding mugs all over the place. Pluto Somehow made his way into the palace without anyone noticing, and has posted up in the basement and refuses to leave. Ceres tries unsuccessfully to chase him out with a broom, but he just stares at her like she's on crack and lights the thing on fire. Next time she comes back with a iron frying pan. 

Venus is forced to pay the bill for her shopping excursion, which forces her to actually go out and get a JOB. After three minutes at the local taco/burger/coffee joint, she gets fired, sleeps with the manager and wins a nice sexual harassment lawsuit settlement negotiated by Saturn. The company goes bankrupt, and thousands lose their jobs. Way to go.

Psyche sits down with Pallas Athene for a exclusive look inside the palace life. Incredibly boring as it is, due to all the good parts being edited out, It makes Pallas' career as an hard-hitting journalist. Her first assignment: covering a fashion show for cats, put on by Vesta.

I know, you're shocked. Bear with me guys, we're just getting to the good part.  

Mars hates everybody. He packs his bags and takes the midnight train going anywhere.

Vulcan makes a brilliant pitch at SaturnCorp about the amazing new product he just invented, inspired by Eros. He wins a contract and it goes into development immediately.

Neptune joins a monastic school. Chiron drags him out kicking and screaming.

Uranus fights for Free trade agreements in South America. This time, he swings Psyche onto his side, and she becomes the public face of his campaign.

Juno launches her own PR firm, after firmly erasing the memory of the last debacle from the people's collective consciousness. After a couple of misguided billboard designs, she nails it and becomes an overnight success.

Mercury is still AWOL, but there have been reports of a thin, distinguished man in a top hat from Argentina shouting belligerently at anyone he sees, and with an obsession for counting things in shop windows. No word yet on if this is the same guy.


Until we find him, I present to you his favorite song when he bails on us mortals. If we play it enough, he might just remember that we don't disappear when he does.

Mercury Retrograde 8/2-8/26/11: A Chord of Silence

Before I start this post, let me preface by saying: you guys are awesome! The feedback and support i've been getting from this foray into becoming an official astro-commenter has been unreal. Seriously, I never imagined id even get here, i just thought it would be me shouting out to a lonely blog that nobody read. Big shout-out to my awesome friends, Elsa, over at http://astrodispatch.com/ who is kind enough to repost what i say (when its good) to a huge audience i just couldn't get on my own. Now there are people in China, Yugoslavia, Australia, all over the world who are reading my silly posts! Its crazy, and i am crazy grateful. Also, mad love to Karen over at http://ravenesquetarot.com/, without whom none of this would be possible. Seriously, she is amazing and if i am ever half the astrologer she is,i will die a happy man. Last, but certainly not least in anything, Starzina over at http://www.ericsdailyhoroscope.blogspot.com/, the inspiration (along with Julie Dembowski over at http://www.distractedastrologer.com/) for this website. Also, mad props to my girl Tracy over at http://serennu.com/. Without her, i would never know where any of my space junk was.

And of course; Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who is reading these posts. You guys are why i do this (so give us a shout in the comments!!).  

Sappiness over and done with, we move on to the good stuff.

Well everybody, its that time of year again. Watch your p's and q's, don't buy any cars, and for god's sake don't sign anything without a team of lawyers at the ready.

Ok, now that we're done with the obligatory (yet still (somewhat) valid) nonsense, here's the real scoop:

To those of you looking at me with fear and confusion in your eyes, let me explain. Every 4 months or so, Mercury appears to turn around and go backward in the sky from our vantage point here on Earth. Now, this is usually greeted by pop astrologers (hem hem) by choruses of banshees shrieking about their internet being funky, cars breaking down, and a general breakdown of communication across the board.

Now, lets be clear about something: This DOES happen. When it happens during these times, its astrology in action; every other time, its called LIFE.

The truth of the matter is, Mercury retrograde is one of my favorite times. I get an excuse to slow down, focus on what really matters, and just take some time to go into zen mode. I tend to leave my super-amazing smart phone at home, turn off my iPad, and just walk around outside with a goofy smile on my face. Well, okay, to be honest i do that anyway. But that's besides the point.

This retrograde period is going to be a really interesting one. For one thing, its starting off at the first degree of Virgo, a very important sign to Mercury, where he is both in Rulership, his home sign, and he has the distinction of also being in Exaltation, the best possible expression of his... for lack of a better word, energy. So we're starting off from a great position.

This is not without its challenges, however. On the other side of the arena is the master of illusions himself, Neptune. In his home sign of Pisces (if only by 4 arc minutes), no less. So expect to go into this not knowing which way is up. The deeper message of Neptune in Pisces, however, is to see past all the b.s. and get to what's really important. And maybe learn some higher truths along the way, some serious God experiences.

I suppose I should explain the title of this post. A major theme for this retro is taking a deep breath and hitting the reset button. You are beginning to recognize where you are causing your own downfall in your story. And as the quote goes "It is not the past that hinders your today, but the portion of it you brought to the present". Its time to bring those old stories to a proper end. When you do that, before you jump into a new one, sit in the silence for a while. Really focus on what you want your new story to sound like. Be present in yourself.

Moving on to the asteroids in play, we find Sisyphus sextile Mercury, suggesting that finally, we are going to be rewarded for our hard work, and it wasn't all for nothing. The work is nowhere near done however, and a new set of challenges awaits. Amor is also in sextile, indicating that your love life is seriously going to be brought up and rehashed in gross detail. Prepare for the exes to come out of the woodwork. Orcus is conjunct the trickster, so beware of promising things you don't intend to deliver on, and watch out for what seems too good to be true, because it is. A sextile to Hades shows us that this is going to be a very deep transit, forcing us to face some ugly truths about ourselves, but if we stand our ground and face them, we will come out stronger for it. Mercury Square Hidalgo indicates that we will encounter some fierce opposition from those who are set in their beliefs, and will try to impress those same beliefs on you. The square to Chariklo doesn't help anything in that regard either, indicating that what we put out there might not be pretty, or welcome, but it is the truth, so stick to your guns. The interesting one to me, however is a trine to Siva, showing the true potential for this transit: the alchemical burning away of everything that you're using to hold yourself back, connecting you to a deeper truth that is unshaken by outside influences.


Now, helping this along, and providing the catalyst for change, is Mars, who is moving to oppose Pluto. This is taking place along the Cancer-Capricorn axis, showing that your personal passions are going to be stirred up. You've had enough talk of change, and improvement. You want the real deal, you want ACTION!! And you know what? You're going to take it. And that awesome vision of how your life could be? You have an opportunity to make real progress on getting to those goals, and making them a reality. In the meantime, however, its going to feel like you're pushing a boulder up a mountain, only to have it fall back down when it gets to the top.

Further emphasizing this is a sextile between Mars, Osiris and Isis-Transpluto. This transit is going to literally back from the dead, and restore your spirit. A square to Typhon, however, reveals that the monsters are still very real, and their claws are still as sharp as they were before. Diana, the wild goddess, is in Sextile, standing shoulder to shoulder with you. You are not alone in your fight here, and the burden is not yours alone. Reach out to your support network, find solace in your friends and family.

Venus is Still bathing in the golden light of Leo, with the Sun and Psyche, in square to Jupiter and Eros, and Opposite Pallas Athene and Vesta. Whew boy. So, we have a conflated self-image tied into the ego and coupled with an unobtainable (and frankly, masochistic) romantic ideal, standing against higher spiritual truth, dedication, and self-perfection ideals bordering on robotic reactions, all being agitated by naive overconfidence and fierce passion and reckless actions based upon attraction alone.  Yep, sounds about right.

In her entourage, we have a conjunction to Altjira, so beware of being too cool and detached, and dont run away from your problems. Another conjunction, this time to Klotho, reveals that a new story is definitely starting when it comes to your relationships. Watch out for a square to Tantalus, because you might keep reaching for something just out of reach when you have what you want in front of your face. A sextile to Nemesis warns of being too proud, and try not to shut anybody down just because you're not interested. Let them down gently.

Jupiter is pissed. He just wants everyone to get along and quit bothering him. He's showing an opposition to Deucalion, so just keep the faith, and do your job well without worrying about the results. Another opposition to Poseidon shows that getting angry and starting drama will get you NOWHERE. Trust me. Just stay out of it, and do you. The last important opposition is to Niobe. Again, stay humble, and be grateful for what you have, or it will go up in flames faster than you can say "Hephaestus". Jupiter is also conjunct Karma, so you will get what is coming to you, but i cant promise what form that will take.

On to Saturn. He is sitting conjuct Zeus, showing that although they are getting along for possibly the first time in ever, he has gone off the deep end and will not hesitate to cut you down if you show the slightest disrespect. A trine to Kassandra shows that his voice of reason will be there, but you just have to listen; ignore it at your own peril. A square to Achilles indicates that you are probing for your own weaknesses, and that you really need to put your armor on that spot.

All in all, its a very active retrograde, and if you stay strong and stay away from and put an end to drama, you will come out the other side stronger than you ever dreamed, and in a position to put your dreams into motion.

I promise you, you will get there.

Image courtesy of http://timetoeatthedogs.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/mercury-god.jpg