Tag: Mercury retrograde

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Metaphysical Connection: Holiday Temperance

Photo: Vvictori | Dreamstime.com

The ancients certainly seemed to know what they were doing when constructing the zodiac wheel. They placed the mutable, fiery sign of Sagittarius in the middle of the holiday season. Those born under the astrological sign of Sagittarius are thought to be optimistic, adventurous, curious, and independent. And these traits translate well into how many Americans spend their holidays.

As a fire sign, Sagittarius is passionate and drawn to new ideas, philosophies, and travel. Sagittarius is represented by the centaur — a half-human, half-horse creature — often carrying a bow. Also referred to as “The Archer,” Sagittarius uses a trusty bow and arrow to dream big and aim high. 

In tarot, each zodiac sign is associated with a major arcana card. Sagittarius is associated with the Temperance card in tarot, card number 14 of the major arcana. The Temperance card refers to the blending, moderation, and tempering of disparate elements to achieve a balanced whole that is greater and more harmonious than the sum of its parts. The Greek philosophers, beginning with Socrates, spoke of four natural virtues: prudence, or virtuous use of the intellect; temperance, or virtuous regulation of the emotions; fortitude, or virtuous effort of the human will; and justice, the result of the combined virtuous activity of the other three.

Both Sagittarius and the Temperance card are constantly striving for a more enlightened state of being. The angel in the tarot card here demonstrates this by slowly pouring the liquid from one golden cup into another, a culinary process called “tempering.” Similarly, Sagittarius accomplishes this by exploring the far reaches of both the physical and philosophical worlds to expand on or “temper” what is already known. The angel’s red wings represent blood or life, while the triangle on her dress means spirit, but it is also the elemental symbol for fire. 

The angel’s feet are also symbolic of the eternal pilgrimage or spiritual journey. By showing one foot in the water and the other on the shore, we are reminded that our greatest wisdom lies in the art of balancing. The iris flowers are indicative of the Greek goddess Iris who provides the link between the gods and humanity, acting as a messenger and using rainbows to travel. Like Sagittarius, she travels from one end of the world to another, building upon something that is bigger and brighter than herself.

Temperance is the card of acceptance, where the cycle of life and death, passion and division, and all other oppositions find unity for a shared cause. It unites the masculine with the feminine, keeping us in balance when situations require strength and endurance, or tenderness and compassion, depending on the moment. This card speaks of personal and spiritual growth, one that leads us toward the point of self where we understand how inner conflicts and troubles lead to certain reflections and problems in the outer world. Its symbolism is one of the alchemy of life, and it is significant in a reading, for it represents the point where we get answers needed to change the course of fate or influence our life to change what is needed.

As we glide through Sagittarius season, we are reminded of the Temperance card. Temperance is all about striving for balance — which can often mean taking the middle road. To a Sagittarius, the middle road is almost never enticing. Yet it is not always a compromise, but another solution that can combine both extremes. 

As a mutable fire sign, Sagittarius is bold and confident. Fire is not naturally a mutable element, so Sagittarius is already operating in oppositions. It’s through the alchemy of temperance that we can learn about balancing these oppositions. 

Our lesson for this season is to find balance in opposition. How can we learn to accept and mold the outcome into something more desirable? With Mercury in retrograde in the sign of Sagittarius, we may need to be more detailed in our projects and more understanding when things don’t go as planned. Embrace the optimistic energy of Sagittarius and pivot with the challenges. 

Emily Guenther is a co-owner of The Broom Closet metaphysical shop. She is a Memphis native, professional tarot reader, ordained Pagan clergy, and dog mom.

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Fun Stuff Metaphysical Connection

Metaphysical Connection: A Holiday Retrograde

Mercury retroshade has begun. Can you tell? (Photo: Pixabay)

n my last column about the Odin’s Eye asteroid, I listed all the planets and asteroids in retrograde. Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Jupiter, and Chiron, respectively. We can now add Mercury to that list. Mercury retroshade has begun. Can you tell?

Retroshade is what astrologers and astrology enthusiasts call the two-week period leading up to and following a Mercury retrograde, where the planet is slowly moving back into its “normal” position. Mercury is the fastest moving planet in our solar system and goes retrograde three to four times a year. The retroshade period can bring clarity and finality to circumstances, but it can also be harsh. Some say that during this time, people may be more irritable, unfocused, or prone to misunderstandings and conflicts.

Mercury went retrograde in August and took a backward spin through the astrological signs of Virgo and Leo. This time, it will happen in the sign of Sagittarius. And this Mercury retrograde will be the last one for this year. We’ll take all the reprieves we can get. Our upcoming retrograde officially begins on November 26th and lasts until December 15th. However, we still have the retroshade after it’s over, making the effects last until January 3rd. 

Mercury is thought to rule over our communication, travel, and commerce. When it is in retrograde, we can often expect miscommunication, disagreements because of miscommunication, hiccups with travel plans, and inconveniences with technology. Retrogrades, especially Mercury retrogrades, often throw speed bumps in our way to make us slow down, reflect, and readjust for the next phase. 

Sagittarius, one of the zodiac’s fire signs, is thought to be a bit of a free spirit. This sign is known to be passionate and energetic while being open-minded, curious, loyal, honest, and enjoying travel. Those with prominent Sagittarius placements in their chart are likely to feel the effects of this Mercury retrograde more than others, but retrogrades affect us all. 

With Mercury retrograding in the sign of Sagittarius, you might find it difficult to move forward on your higher-minded goals due to mix-ups, slowdowns, or simply a lack of mental momentum. If you are doing any Thanksgiving traveling or planning trips for later in the season, you’ll want to triple-check your itineraries and leave wiggle room for delays, as Mercury retrograde is especially likely to interfere with transportation and timing while it’s in this worldly and wanderlusty sign.

These are not new concerns when it comes to Mercury retrograde. Anytime we have one, we need to be mindful of communication, plans, and technology. For the last Mercury retrograde of 2024, the biggest complication is the timing. The retrograde kicks off just before Thanksgiving and will butt up against the Yuletide holidays — the busiest time of year. 

Forewarned is forearmed, and that is always the best advice when it comes to a Mercury retrograde. Don’t wait until the last minute to buy your Thanksgiving food. The demand is already going to be higher than usual for certain grocery items, so don’t make things more complicated by waiting too late. Talk with your loved ones about a gift budget, and try to keep the spending to a reasonable level. Many of us love buying presents for our loved ones and seeing their joy when they get something nice or something they really wanted. We can still give meaningful gifts without breaking the bank or splurging on that one really expensive gift. 

With Mercury retrograding through Sagittarius, we might feel more generous this season with our gift giving. Sagittarius is all about loyalty, style, and being free, which can get us into enough trouble during the holidays without Mercury interfering. Just be mindful of your budget (you’re going to have to pay the credit card bills soon) and try to have a bit of restraint while shopping. Because we are dealing with this fiery Sagittarius energy, don’t overcommit to holiday plans. Sagittarius makes everything seem like fun, but we can’t reasonably do it all. 

As usual, Mercury retrograde is a time to slow down, be patient and understanding, and appreciate what you have. 

Emily Guenther is a co-owner of The Broom Closet metaphysical shop. She is a Memphis native, professional tarot reader, ordained Pagan clergy, and dog mom.

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Fun Stuff Metaphysical Connection

Metaphysical Connection: One Last Retrograde

Mercury is about to be in retrograde. (Photo: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center from Greenbelt, MD, USA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

It’s that time again. The holidays are here and so is Mercury retrograde. At least it’s the last one of the year. This retrograde began on December 13th and will last until January 1, 2024. Happy New Year! 

A retrograde is a phenomenon that happens when it appears that a planet in the sky is orbiting backwards. The planets don’t actually do this, it is more of an optical illusion. However, many people believe that during these periods the energy or properties of that planet may be behaving differently. All planets do this, but the spiritual community puts a lot of focus on the Mercury retrograde. 

The planet Mercury is thought to rule over our communication, travel, and commerce. When Mercury is in retrograde, we can often expect miscommunication, disagreements because of miscommunication, hiccups with travel plans, and inconveniences with technology. Retrogrades, especially Mercury retrogrades, often throw speed bumps in our way to make us slow down, reflect, and readjust for the next phase. 

The final Mercury retrograde of the year begins in the zodiac sign of Sagittarius and ends in Capricorn. Sagittarius is considered to be fun-loving, spontaneous, and adventurous. While Mercury is traipsing backwards through the fire of Sagittarius, you might find yourself taking risks or being reckless. This can be a good thing. If there’s a big change you’ve been avoiding, now might be the time to take that risk and do it. However, it is the holiday season where much is already expected of us. Do not let the recklessness of Mercury retrograde get you into debt with shopping. Also be mindful of overcommitting to plans or events. Many of us may feel more social this time of year, or we give into expectations and try to visit everyone. With Mercury in retrograde in Sagittarius, be careful to not overextend yourself with social calls or agreeing to things you might regret later — such as hosting a holiday dinner! 

Mercury retrograde in Capricorn is a poetic note to finish the year on. Capricorns are notoriously ambitious and expert manifesters. Lean into this as you turn your gaze toward the possibilities of a new year and take stock of all that 2023 has brought you. The earthly Capricorn energy goes well with Mercury retrograde’s need to tie up loose ends and finish up projects. If Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius caught you off guard and made you a little careless, Capricorn’s energy is here to help you clean up and get back on track. 

Capricorn is an earth sign that encourages us to be ambitious and make things happen. However, do not let Mercury retrograde in Capricorn convince you that you can do everything. When planning for the new year, or setting resolutions, be aware of the expectations you are setting up for yourself as well as time commitments. We’ve all made commitments when we were in a happy moment or feeling optimistic, just to regret those plans later. Remember that feeling this retrograde. 

The final Mercury retrograde of 2023 is going to push us to bring more balance into our lives. Are you listening to your head or your heart? While navigating this retrograde, it might be better to listen to your head but a daily balance of both is always ideal. 

And this Christmas, tighten your Santa belts because the universe has a rollercoaster for us. To top off Mercury retrograde in both an earth and fire sign, there will also be a full moon on December 26th. This full moon will be in Cancer, so get ready to feel all your feelings. Many practitioners believe that the energy of the full and new moons is a three-day window: the day before the actual new/full moon, the day of, and the day after. If you follow that school of thought, there will be a full Cancer moon on Christmas with Mercury in retrograde. 

We will survive this astrological season. The full moon and Mercury retrograde bring us challenges as well as benefits. Be mindful, be careful, be patient — and have a happy holiday season! 

Emily Guenther is a co-owner of The Broom Closet metaphysical shop. She is a Memphis native, professional tarot reader, ordained Pagan clergy, and dog mom.

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Fun Stuff Metaphysical Connection

Metaphysical Connection: Mercury Retrograde, Again

It’s happening again: That pesky Mercury simply will not stop going retrograde. (Photo: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

August was a time of adjusting to new cycles. If you are a teacher, parent of a student, or a student, last month focused on getting prepared for the new school year. For those of us who do not have anyone in our household going back to school, we readjusted and are still readjusting to the new traffic and social patterns of our communities. All in all, it can be a difficult time without any added astrological phenomena. However, this year we have to balance our busy lives against the fact that the planet Mercury has gone retrograde. Again.

Mercury retrograde happens three to four times every year, and usually lasts for four weeks. It is an astronomical phenomenon that makes the planet look like it is moving backwards in its orbit around the sun. It’s an optical illusion that occurs because it takes Mercury only 88 days to orbit the sun, compared to the 365 days it takes the Earth to do the same.

The planet Mercury is named for the Roman god Mercury, the messenger of the gods, delivering news and goods but also acting as a translator or interpreter. Mercury rules over wealth, communication, commerce, and good fortune. When Mercury appears to move backwards in its orbit, these qualities may struggle to move forward or have more glitches than usual.

Generally, retrograde is a period of frustration, with delays, miscommunication, and technological mishaps. It is commonly advised that people should not travel, sign contracts, or make any major life decisions during a Mercury retrograde. Instead, try to be flexible as plans may end up changing often, be patient and understanding, back up your work and important documents, and leave some wiggle room for any major projects.

Mercury retrograde gets blamed for many things, and it can be a frustrating period, but it can bring us some much-needed perspective. It’s advised to not start any endeavors during the retrograde, but it is a great time to finish things up. If you have any lingering chores or projects, use the energy to get them finished and off your plate. You can also use the time to reflect and slow down, to review where you are putting your time and energy.

We are already in the throes of the third Mercury retrograde for the year, and it’s going to last until September 15th. Every Mercury retrograde this year will fall in an earth sign with our current retrograde hitting us in Virgo. The astrological sign of Virgo is ruled by the planet Mercury, which might help soften this retrograde’s effects. Virgo’s attention to detail could be enhanced by this retrograde, meaning we are more likely to pay attention to the fine print and specifics, which is what usually trips us up during a Mercury retrograde. If we can be meticulous and set clear intentions for the next few weeks, we should be able to navigate this and come out of the other side relatively unscathed.

Virgo, symbolizing purity and perfection, directs our attention toward refining our lives. This retrograde sheds light on areas where we’ve cluttered our days with conversations or activities that don’t add value or support. Look at your calendar and see who or what you’ve been spending time and energy on. Are these people or activities really serving you?

On August 30th, the Pisces super blue moon occurred, almost opposite Mercury. This alignment shone a light on what we need to let go of and what we should ease the pressure on, allowing a smoother daily rhythm to emerge. Virgo energy is all about the practical aspects of life, while Pisces energy, where the moon is situated, delves into the spiritual and ethereal. This cosmic dance prompts us to reflect on the balance between material and spiritual focus and to shed what’s unnecessary.

Astrologists claim that this retrograde will be easier than others, but with Mercury and six other planets in retrograde, the rest of this year will be interesting no matter what. Read the fine print, think carefully, and pay attention, as this too shall pass. Eventually.

Emily Guenther is a co-owner of The Broom Closet metaphysical shop. She is a Memphis native, professional tarot reader, ordained Pagan clergy, and dog mom.