Mercury Retrograde in Uttara Phālgunī

Mercury Retrograde

Mercury Retrograde in Uttara Phālgunī

August 23 - September 14

In the current celestial landscape, Mercury, the harbinger of communication and intelligence, enters a retrograde phase that takes place within the nurturing boundaries of Uttara Phālgunī (sidereal Leo). This alignment imbues our quicksilver mental faculties with a slowed cadence, beckoning us into a state of refined contemplation.

Uttara Phālgunī is known as the 'Star of Patronage,' a celestial body deeply associated with benevolence, guardianship, and mutual care. These retrograde periods are less an obstacle course and more an invitation to reflection and action. Under its auspices, Mercury's retrograde provides an opportune frame for re-evaluating the dimensions of our commitments and responsibilities.

Within this cosmic environment, the rapid-fire faculties governed by Mercury—communication, trade, intellectual pursuits—take a measured pace. It's a temporal sphere where haste is less regarded than the quality of deliberation, giving us pause to think not just about the messages we send, but also the underlying ethics of our intentions and actions.

This period calls for a nuanced understanding of interdependence, a foundational principle and core tenet associated with the influence of Uttara Phālgunī. It encourages us to recalibrate the scales of give and take, to assess whether our personal and professional patronages are aligned with our deepest convictions. Through this churning, Mercury subtly instructs us in the virtues of a balanced, neutral perspective.

Given the reflective mood set by this celestial alignment, now would also be a propitious time to dust off old projects and rekindle efforts that align with these patronly virtues, revisiting them with a newly balanced perspective.

During this retrograde phase, one would do well to engage in a focused introspection to refine one's roles and responsibilities as both benefactor and beneficiary. The goal is to emerge with a matured sense of stewardship, capable of navigating life's complexities with equanimity and grace.

David Loy // “One meaning of freedom is the opportunity to act out the story I identify with. Another freedom is the ability to change stories and my role within them.”

New Moon in Āśleṣā: The Clinging Star

Amāvásyā

Drinking from the Chalice: Alchemical Transformation

The dark moon early morning on August 16th awakens the primordial, serpent energy, bound within the Vedic Lunar mansion of Āśleṣā आश्लेषा (Sidereal Cancer), The Clinging Star. Just like the coiled energy that sits dormant at the base of the spine, which yearns to merge with its beloved in the crown, Āśleṣā enlivens the curiosity to investigate deeper, to unite with one’s desired outcome.

The energies of this new moon are entwined with retrograde Venus, which, having relinquished its reign as the evening star, now steps behind the sun, poised to reappear in the week ahead as the morning star. Many have been preoccupied, immersing themselves in profound emotional and mental processes, skillfully untangling and navigating the intensified currents stirred by the heart's initiation within this cycle. A substantial recalibration, particularly centered around relationship, finds us immersed in the essence of a deeply brewed alchemical metamorphosis.

A quest that compels us to embrace balance between the virtues and vices — the intricate tapestry of our primal inclinations that demands conquest before we can attune to our higher dominion. This alchemical transmutation, ingeniously converting venom into elixir, intricately interlaces with the enigmatic energies concealed within our ego, yearning for acknowledgment and ultimate subjugation, paving the way for the ascension to the throne of sovereign mastery.

What are you ready to shed, like a serpent casting its skin? Your intuition is sharpened now. Elevate yourself beyond emotional reactions. Employ strategy and goal orientation, all while tempering your agendas. Consistency, patience, and discipline will be your allies in realizing your treasured ambitions. You’re not alone on this earth walk — we’re birthing through this right of passage together. In the spirit of interconnectedness, All my Relations.

For more in depth, personalized guidance on how to align with the current planetary cycle, please visit the link in my bio to book a consultation. Love all ways

“Enlightenment is intimacy with all things.”

- Dogen Zenji

Venus Retrograde: Initiation of the heart and Interpersonal Shadow Work

As Venus, the celestial symbol of love, creativity and union, prepares to relinquish her reign as the evening star, her retrograde cycle is set to commence on July 22nd. We stand at the precipice of a transformative rite of passage that invites us to delve into the deep, shadowy corners of our beings, where old wounds silently lurk. Attend to your emerging thoughts around personal boundaries, beliefs, finances, relationship traumas and past lessons resurfacing. This is a clarion call to embark on a more profound exploration of the self. What are the reflections of your own personal beliefs, mirrored back to you through others? This time, track a little deeper, navigate the terrain of the heart with care and patience.

Venus waltzes to a distinct rhythm, an eight-year cycle, during which she retrogrades approximately every eighteen months for a duration of around forty days. Pause and ponder the lessons and healing that unfolded for you in 2015, for you may encounter resonating themes during this impending retrograde cycle.

Radiant Retreat: Venus's Transition from Evening Star to Morning Star

Venus reached her peak as evening star in early June, a celestial ballet that marked her furthest transit from the Sun (45 degrees). It is believed that when planets enter their retrograde phase, they're closest to our terrestrial home and appear at their most radiant. On July 22nd, Venus will station retrograde and for a few weeks in early August, she will retreat behind the sun, only to re-emerge as the morning star by mid-August. On August 7th Venus retrograde re-enters Cancer in Āśleṣā and stations direct on September 4th.

Exploring Relationship Dynamics: Self-Reflection and Reconciliation

In her celestial dance, Venus Retrograde will intersect with Mars in Leo, under the watchful gaze of Saturn. This potent transit is imbued with the capacity to spark long-lasting healing. This passage calls for an introspective examination of significant relationships in our lives — be they romantic, platonic, or professional. Now is the time to reflect on our individual needs, boundaries, and desires within the framework of relationships. 

Legacy and Power: Reassessing Ancestral Patterns Under Māgha

As Venus orbits and awakens the constellation of Māgha (sidereal Leo), ancestral healing—especially regarding our relationship with responsibility, legacy, and creativity—takes the spotlight. In this celestial alignment, Venus retrograde invites us to reflect upon the stories and patterns handed down to us through generations, asking us to see them with new eyes. Our ancestral past is not a chain that binds us but a guidebook that, when understood, can help us navigate our present with more clarity and intention.

The constellation of Māgha, known as the 'Mighty One,' symbolizes royal dignity, power, and grandeur. It's an invitation to examine the legacy we've inherited, how we've wielded our power, and where we can bring about healing and transformation. This is an optimal time to reassess your legacy and family patterns—whether they reside within attitudes toward work, money, relationships, or personal growth.

The Nonlinear Journey: Unleashing Creativity and Ancestral Healing

Shukracharya from Pinterest

Under Venus's influence during this retrograde, we're invited to delve into our creative reservoirs, exploring how they've been shaped by our ancestry and considering new ways to honor this lineage through our unique creative expressions. As we embark on this nonlinear journey of ancestral healing, each step, however small, contributes to the transformation of inherited narratives into empowered choices, ultimately shaping our destiny within the tapestry of generations past, present, and future.

Pathways Forward: Releasing Traumas and Weaving New Narratives

The potential for relationship healing lies in our ability to track deeper, and to remain grounded in the present moment as old wounds are illuminated. Observe the echoes of past hurts that are being reflected back at us, revealing what is ripe for healing. Endeavor to remain open, serving as a witness to the lessons emerging to be learned and wounds presenting to be healed in the realm of relationships. Gently untangle the complexities that arise — your pride, any longing for justice or revenge, sense of fairness, or feeling of entitlement. Release these past traumas and patterns as you carve out a space for learning and healing, for articulation and listening, to weave together and tread new pathways forward.

The Promise of Healing: Navigating Heart Space with Patience and Care

Treat the navigation of your heart with patience and care. Some may find themselves at the end of relationships, while others may find themselves opening their hearts to love anew. The complex dance between life and death, power and devotion, boundaries and embrace is up for exploration during this celestial event.

Booking a Session: Personalized Guidance for Your Transformative Journey

Are you curious about what this initiation of the heart might illuminate in your life? To explore deeper, book a personalized session with me. I look forward to guiding you through this transformative journey. All my relations

New Moon in Punarvasu: The Star of Renewal

Amāvásyā

The sun and moon align for July’s dark moon on today at 20:32 (Spain) 11:32am PST in the Vedic lunar mansion of Punarvasu पुनर्वसु, (sidereal Cancer), the Star of Renewal. This nakshatra is symbolized by a quiver of arrows, holds the power to bestow prosperity and represents the light that returns after a storm. 

There is a feeling in the air that energy and resources are now at your command. A sense of hope around creating lasting stability and a new beginning is forged around how we nurture and take care of ourselves. An initiation of the heart steps forward as Venus stations retrograde and provokes interpersonal shadow work. 

The pulse for this month encourages integration of wisdom through experience and revitalization of mind, family, and security. Arrows are associated with movement and encourage us to strive, or move towards our objective. An opportunity for up-leveling is available. These particular arrows are thought to be magical, once released and the objective has been obtained, they circle back around. Just like that, this renewal of energy brings with it hope for a second chance and leaves the impression of a positive transformation from darkness to light.

You may be feeling a little restless, as if you’re taking two steps forward and four steps back and thirsty to move to the next phase. Just like nature appears to be more refreshed and harmonious after a storm, this new moon brings with it a breath of fresh air — a renewal of sorts. You may feel called to amp your energy up to the next level. If you choose to pick up the pace, know that it’s easy to lose perspective and awareness when gaining momentum.

Stay one pointed with your focus on your priorities. Release that which is distracting you from your desired destination and make sure you’re ready to commit fully to whatever you’re choosing. Move one step at a time, and keep your action steps and goals to yourself. Stay present, expand your awareness, and keep the big picture perspective. Don’t compromise your long term visions for the quickening of your current process. Stabilize into your purpose, ground your emotions and tend towards family and relationship healing.

As we continue to move through a collective course correction, matters of the heart step front and center. A new tune plays as Shukra (Venus), the planet of union, creativity, love, and affection, retrogrades in the constellation of Magha (sidereal Cancer) July 22nd through September 3rd. Do your best to stay open and as a witness to what is coming forward to be learned and healed around relationship. Track a little deeper and take your time to navigate matters of the heart.

With the New Moon, many set their intentions for the month. Contrary to popular belief, did you know that the most ideal time to set intentions is 24 hours AFTER the new moon? That's when the energy has begun to build up more momentum. What self care practices are you looking to commit to with this powerful energy of renewal?

Adhika-māsa

Today marks the beginning of a special month in the Hindu calendar that occurs approximately every three years, known as Adhika-māsa or Purushottam māsa. This intercalary month holds great significance as it serves to reconcile and equalize the difference between the lunar and solar calendars.

In a typical Hindu lunar calendar, twelve months are calculated based on the phases of the moon, known as tithis, spanning approximately 354 days. This is referred to as the synodic year. On the other hand, the modern solar year is around 365 days long due to Earth's orbit around the sun. Have you ever considered that the sun moves one degree per day and that there is 360 degrees in a circle? (for more information, check out my article on the difference between Vedic and Western astrology and the 360-day solar year).

This additional month carries a unique spiritual significance and is considered prosperous, offering us an opportunity to deepen our spiritual practices. According to legend, it is believed that any recalibration to oneself is amplified during this auspicious month. Aligning with the new moon in Purnarvasu (Cancer), it becomes a beautiful month to focus on self-care, calibration, nourishment, and attuning with our spiritual sādhanā (practices).

To book a private consultation and talk about what the current planetary alignment means for YOU please visit Vedic Astrology Consultations. All my relations

Toko-pa-Turner // “To be baffled and obstructed is what engages creativity. This is the practice of poets, dreamers, and artists alike: to show up at the frontiers of uncertainty where we are met by ten thousand things. We practice there, on the verge, amateur and unprepared, at being friendly - or at least willing - towards the discomforts of our confusions. As Rumi says, ‘Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment!’