Something For The Full Moon...

...Sun in Gemini opposes Moon in Sagittarius on 18th June at around 6.30pm UK time, which means it's a full moon in Sagittarius. And it's a full on kind of energy carried by this one because among other things Pluto stands next to the moon, symbolising emotional depth and intensity on a trust/control/letting go theme (as ever where Pluto is concerned). So if the planetary stand-off plus Pluto vibes are starting to hit hard, here's Cilla Black to cheer you up with a special message for Gemini, sexed up with some smouldering Yin meets Yang Bollywood dancing...

Mercury Retrograde And New Moon In Gemini

Was planning to write a very defiant blog along the lines of ‘Pah! Mercury Retrograde, you trickster planet you! Your legendary reputation for causing communication-based confusion is simply out of date folklore I refuse to perpetuate any longer’. But I was too busy trying to make sense of my sudden inexplicable and annoying phone problem that cropped up as Mercury started its retrograde journey last week. The problem sorted itself equally as suddenly, without explanation or apology, which after initial euphoria subsided became strangely frustrating, only to be replaced by another equally new and unexplained problem with my phone bill.

There’s a new moon in Gemini on the way on 3rd June at 20.20pm UK time; and because Mercury rules the sign of Gemini, it’s a new moon ruled by Mercury Retrograde. Does that mean everything's going pear-shaped for the foreseeable, as astrology sometimes likes to make out? Pah! Not a bit of it. I think it's more about drawing attention to a much needed change of direction in situations, which in this case is recognisable in the 'new beginning' feeling that is carried in with the new moon energy (new moon = new phase). And as Gemini is the sign associated most with communication or getting the message across (as well as coincidences, syncronicity, and other twin based or like for like happenings and patternings), it's all going to be unfolding out of the Gemini principle, or revolving around matters with the Gemini themes at heart.

My personal opinion on the obstacles and delays that Mercury Retro gets blamed for is that until you get going in the same direction as the energy in situations is now taking, then you're going to feel at odds with it. It's still all about going with the flow though, just that the flow (seems) to be going a different way to how it has been. So how to know when you've lined up with the Mercury Retrograde flow? well you start making peace with the obstacles and delays, stop pushing against what seems to be in your way, and then like magic it all starts to get easier; misunderstandings get cleared up, and the solutions, the inspiration, the green lights and the clear roads start showing up. All through the eyes of that different perspective that Mercury Retrograde provides. The perspective that incorporates re-connecting, re-working, re-opening, re-sending, re-turning... you get the picture, just pick a word with 're' at the beginning.

Mercury is retrograde from May 26 at 21º Gemini, and then turns direct on June 19th June 19 at 19º Gemini. And there's some GREAT info here on Mercury retro and retrograde planets.

Affirmations And The Gemini New Moon

Have you tried affirmations? The process involves lots of writing out positive statements about yourself and your life situation, in the hope that the relentless repetition will wear down the subconscious, like water dripping on stone, or waves against a cliff, or Neptune against Saturn, ending up with your inner critic throwing in the towel with a despairing, ‘ok ok, you’re healthy, wealthy, and wise!’

I’m using a book at the moment that suggests writing your affirmation in the form of a question gets you better and faster results. The premise being that if the conscious mind asks, the ever creative subconscious mind goes searching for a suitable response, Google style, and because most of our inner dialogue is negative by default, the best match answers are usually drawn from the harshly disempowering inner critic pages.

For example, the common lament of ‘why does this always happen to me?’, or ‘how could I have been so stupid’, isn’t going to net soothing results. Whereas ‘why do I only seek and see the best in life’, or ‘why is it now easy to be in the right place at the right time’, is going to set your mind off in far more fruitful and practical yet magical direction. The point isn’t to get the definitive answer though; it’s more about getting the constant background ramble of thoughts flowing in a more creatively positive direction.

And it all fits right in with the current astro-weather, because it’s all very Gemini, very new-moonish, and also rather Mercury retrogrady, as the process involves reframing and rewriting your existing negative self-chat.

The book, by Noah St John and Denise Berard is here.

The Astrology Of Blogging

There’s a great meme on the go, originating from a post by Twilight, on the astrology of blogging. Her theory that astrology bloggers might show a combination of dominant Mercury, Saturn and Jupiter energies is being put to the test by bloggers offering their chart details to see how they match up. I’ve been tagged by Lynn and April to offer my contribution (two tags! it must be all this Gemini energy!), and it appears I’m a classic case according to the theory:

- I have Sun, Mercury and Mars in Gemini, in the 9th house (9th house is associated with Jupiter)

- Mercury is a couple of degrees from the Midhaven, so is angular, square Virgo ascendant

- Mercury is sextile Saturn in Aries in the 7th

- Mercury is also sextile Jupiter in Leo in the 11th

I can't say that writing is an easy thing for me, despite all that Mercury energy. It's a bit like pulling teeth at times, searching for ways to communicate my thoughts on the subject (Neptune in 3rd inconjunct Mercury?), and I'm a devil for editing and reworking, in my Virgo ascendant quest for the perfect post :-)
Yet there's a compulsion to keep going with it. Like Lynn I'm drawn to astrology to investigate the deeper connectedness, how the bigger picture fits together - I have Mercury square Pluto, and also square Uranus in the 12th. Sometimes I feel that astrology chose me, which is a characteristic feeling when experiencing that kind of outer planet energy, and blogging is my way of channelling all the 'wow!' energy when I get a good glimpse that connectedness.

Great post Twilight, and thanks to Jeffrey for starting the tags. I'm loving reading what everyone's got to say about this.

My turn to tag
Susan
Mystic
Kathryn

Gemini Rant

You know when you get those Sunsign descriptions.. the sort where Scorpio's are sexy dominatrix detectives, Capricorn's are important empire builders, and Piscean's invented the word mystic? Why do Gemini's only get to be two-faced, fickle, deceptive 2nd-hand car dealers types? I have never yet read a fabulous description of Gemini... Versatile and changeable is not very exciting, and is also the province of all 4 mutable signs (Pisces, Sadge, and Virgo), not just the Twins.
Childlike, fragile, superficial, inconsistant, commitment phobic...you know I think the people who wrote these descriptions are still smarting and bitter from past relationship failures. The best it gets is 'chatty and flirty'. Not much of a superpower is it...