Mercury Special

Hello All

I noticed something interesting a day or two back ... and it's all about Mercury's travels over the next couple of months.

We have now entered the 'shadow' period of his retrograde cycle - that's to say he is still moving forward but we are now in a period of energies that he will return to during his (apparent) backwards motion before he stations to turn direct again when of course he will then go back over the same ground before finally emerging into new positions during August.  So there are a number of positions that will be visited three times so to speak, on the way in (going forwards), during the retrograde (in reverse) and then again on the way out (forwards again).  Nothing new or startling here, this is the same for any planetary retrograde motion.

What piqued my interest is the location of the series of Human Design gates involved, they are all positions on the throat centre.

This centre is about communication as the name implies, it is about our voice, how we express ourselves, but it's also about the ability to manifest and is very similar to Vishuddha chakra within the yogic tradition.

In the diagram the throat centre is the square box - notice how many direct connections with other centres it has ... the Ajna (thinking mind) above, the sense of identity and the will centres just below and the top of both the spleen (left - fears/now) and emotions (right) and of course it also dog-legs down to the Sacral (not shown here).  It has a direct link to 6 of the 8 other centres.

As in Astrology we track the movement of the planets around a mandala, the only difference being this circuit is divided into 64 gates (I Ching hexagrams) rather than 12 sun signs.  There is a logic to the order, which is not numerical, to do with the lines within each hexagram, which I won't go into here. 

The sequence of gates involved takes us through 62, 56, 31 (R), 56, 62 (D), 56, 31,  and then out of the retrograde shadows and on into 33, also another throat gate.  So from 18th June through till 20th August we have the Planet of communication in the centre of Communication - that's a whole lot of  talking, and potentially manifesting action. 

I sense all forms of communication are going to come to the fore during this period and we may well find ourselves revisiting what has been said as we proceed through this sequence.  So, perhaps this is a time to be particularly mindful of how we express ourselves.

For those that are interested ... 62 is about the details and the precise expression of them, bringing clarity to complex information ... 56 is about travelling and the stories we bring back, it's about the appreciation of the need to be aware of the scenario in which you find yourself; speak wisely according to your audience.  Finally there is 31, and this is where Mercury stations to turn retrograde, in line 3, so could be the focus of the retrograde ...

"Do not rush forward or allow yourself to be run over.  Allow your quiet heart to lead you." BBW

Reading several other translations the key to this position would seem to be to resist the desire to chase after that which draws you, wait until both parties are ready for 'mutual influence' (the name Huang gives this 31st hexagram). 

31 is fundamentally about the importance of language, the power of language and the need for precise language in leadership ... 31 is a gate of democratic leadership in Human Design.

Once we've made it back out of the retrograde we have a few days in 33 ... this is another story-telling gate, like that of 56, but here we have the succinct retelling of authentic life experience. 

I have 31, 56 and 62!  Perhaps that's why I noticed and felt the need to 'communicate' this to you!

If you are curious about what gates you may have defined switch to the desktop version of this blog to find how to contact me for a reading.

The Rune for this Mercury period is ... Gebo ... this is interesting, here we have an energy about exchange, about agreements and contracts but also of balance between what one gives and one receives.

Odin speaks at length in the Havamal about ways to live, about being a good host, and a good guest, about the balance of giving and taking ... 56 is very much that aspect, being a wise guest when travelling abroad, being mindful.  Also about how much one says!

Here perhaps the focus may be on our word being our bond. 

I'm away for early July, off to follow some Rune stones and Viking history on the Isle of Man ... I shall post July's transits in the next day or two, probably in a briefer form than usual given I've covered Mercury's forthcoming travels extensively above!

Solstice Blessings to all - Stand Quietly in Your Power

It's dawned Sunny here which is most appropriate as we reach the longest day of the year here in the northern hemisphere. Master Wu's Solstice email reminded me this morning that this is the peak of Yang energy and the season of the tidal hexagram 44, Gou, which he translates as copulate; must confess this interpretation of 44 hadn't really registered with me!

A quick dive into Huang and he mentions Blofeld translates it as Contact (sexual intercourse).  My understanding of it has been that it is about recognising that which is coming to meet us and to that extent it's associated with pattern recognition in Human Design.  The 44th gate is located on the spleen which is a centre all about the now, about being in the moment, it's also where fear lives and in this particular gate it's about the fear of the past, about patterns repeating.

At Solstice, 15:56 GMT today, we have Poseidon sitting in 44 looking across the channel of enterprise to Jupiter in 26.  Two powerful archetypes of creation and expansion, and very yang of course!  Poseidon's position in line 6 cautions to protect yourself from becoming overwhelmed (Chetan) and BBW notes the need to 'withdraw ... and ... tolerate accusations or unpleasantness with equanimity'.  Interestingly Jupiter sits with a similar message, line two of 26 is about recognising you cannot overcome the forces opposing you by struggling ... so still yourself.

The Sun is in 15, line 2

I like Chetan's contribution, for the Sun's position, he states ...

"You have the strength to accept your own particular ways as natural in the flow of life"

So very similar themes rising here it seems to me.

Raidho has stepped forward for today, this one means the 'journey', also the rhythm of life, enjoy sitting in the sun if you have the chance and allow your imagination to journey forth :-)




Full Moon - 08:33 GMT - 17th June - BE THE OBSERVER

Hello all

I have just spent half an hour looking, and I have to confess somewhat in vain, for a nice warm and fluffy aspect for the forth-coming Full Moon on Monday!

There is just so much going on ... we have Mercury (communications of all kinds) and Mars (action in the world) conjunct in 53.6 which is just a little shy off exact with the North Node (where we are heading) currently in 53.3.

Obviously the Moon and Earth are conjunct, and that's in 11.4, that is just a smidgen off the Galactic Centre which should really be a nice space bringing peace and harmony ... and this can be a computer defrag point if you can remain true to yourself and not be drawn into the crises of others.

That won't be an easy feat though in these days till the 19th because we have the 12-22 channel of Openness in play for all.  This is a very emotional energy and a manifesting one too.  Being clear about how you feel is imperative. 

Mars and Mercury are dancing with the North Node demanding some progress, albeit gradual, but we have the Sun sitting in 12, standstill, demanding stepping back and review, so it could be a battle royal.

I think perhaps calling out Neptune in the gate of Grace (22) will be key ... here the advice is to take note of the content, not the form, cut through false appearances.  So here perhaps you can harness Jupiter, he is sitting in 26, the gate of the trickster, he is also in line 2 so needs calling out but here you'll find he advises preserving your strength for a more beneficial time!

All in all a Duvet Day might be the best bet, certainly a day for sitting back quietly and just observing and using that full moon to fully illuminate what is really going on around you but avoid the temptation to act now, now is not the time for action because Saturn sits in 54 line 4 and this is what BBW has to say about it ...

"A good result comes in its own time.  Do not waste yourself in trying to hurry it.  The greatest gifts come to those who remain composed and patient"

Let's see which Rune wants to contribute ... and ... Nauthiz!

This is the ultimate 'rock and a hard place' rune!  No escaping it, it would seem this month ... this energy is about the process, about seeing what is what, what is left, what is necessary, what can be taken forward, what to leave behind.  It's discontent and the desire to change but the need has to be truly seen before it can be met.  This is about sitting with the discomfort and trusting that by allowing space what is required will become obvious, and is in fact already known, it just needs time to emerge and be truly seen, perhaps 'owned' might be a better description.

Arachne - caught in the spider's web

I know from messages some of you have sent me that many of you have been feeling the squeeze this month already.

Today I spent some time seeing what other celestial bodies are at play with the major, traditional astrology planets.

We have the Sun in 45 the gate of Rulership ... here being amplified by the Sun's presence we also have;

Asbolus - belief that efforts are unappreciated despite how much has been done for others, drive for revenge
Diana - huntress for freedom and independence, where you may be reluctant to commit
Hephaistos - the wounded artist, rejected by parents and love interests ... the blacksmith to the Gods.
Ariadne - abandon illusions as you travel the painful labyrinth
Vulcan - fire and forger of tools of consciousness
Midas - is what you really crave what you think it is
Kaali - firey destroyer for burning off the dross ... all in the gate of (would-be) Rulership ...

Earth and Jupiter are sitting together giving us a grounding and expansive vision of all things trickster-related ... being and spotting the BS.

The North Node wants us to progress gradually but Mars is sitting there too wanting robust progress but also we have Nemesis ... a reminder perhaps to examine what is ego-driven in this progress, especially with Mars here.

Uranus has Tantalus for company in the gate of nourishment and self care.  Uranus brings us shocking awakenings ... we've been working this energy for a while now, it's a Taurian gate with all its grounded earthy need for comfort and care.  Tantalus was eternally punished with fruit and water just out of his reach ... how seriously have you placed yourself and your needs in your schedule, are you really looking after yourself or will a shock arrive ... is the goal just out of reach, what's stopping you stepping into true self-care.

Mercury has the company of Cronos, he overthrew his father Uranus and ruled the Golden Age but here we have them in the gate of Provocation ... be aware of messages and actions that are perhaps intended to overthrow you, or where you might be guilty of such plots against another ... this ties closely with the work of Saturn and the South Node where we are being urged to review who we may have trodden on to make our ascension ... or perhaps have been trodden upon as others have made their ascent ... in this Marrying Maiden energy we also have Persephone, she was unable to make the match she wanted and spent her life between two worlds.

Pluto is sitting in the gate of Inner Truth with Chariklo for company, she was the wife of Chiron and companion of Athene (Pallas), she can represent where we feel we've completely disappeared from view ... perhaps in this position with Pluto they are reminding us to be true to our soul calling, to hold on to the truth of who we are amidst the competing energies at play.

Gate 20 is very busy today ... this is the energy of the 'now' and is where we have Venus (relationships, wealth, good life) - it's a throat manifesting energy and this is where we have a number of players jostling for attention, NOW ...

Astraea - sensitivity and purity, the last of the immortals to leave Earth at the end of the Golden Age when Cronos succumbed to his own sons' treachery ... she promised to return and is associated with new beginnings and she's here NOW.
Minerva - strategies we have learned to please the Patriarchy
Pan - the balanced masculine in touch with nature
Admetos - the anchor point for life's cycles, and, for the spider connection ...
Arachne - she challenged Athene (Pallas - and the Roman Version of Minerva ...) to a weaving competition ... the mythologies vary but she's associated with losing and being turned into a spider to weave a web for eternity.

Overall this is about sitting with who you 'be', holding firm to that whilst all around there are competing energies, much of them ego-based and driven for goals which may simply be illusions.

Take time to pause, step back and observe, aim for a response, not reaction, and perhaps best of all keep your own counsel ... next week we head to more 12-22 action with the Sun sitting in that gate of Standstill and Hindrance.  In the I Ching this represents the moment when we need to withdraw - this is the time for allowing the mundane earthly concerns to fall into the background and allow space for higher insight to be heard.

I can't help but be amused at the timing of these positions given the UK's search for a new Prime Minister ... life really is one big Cosmic joke if you just angle the kaleidoscope just so :-)


June - The potential for 'A Rock and a Hard Place'!

I know, I know, hardly a very upbeat caption for the month ahead, but, in line with the energy of 12-22, which I spoke about two posts ago, I want to be honest with you about what I see and how it feels to me!  We are going to be seeing more 12-22 action this month along with other aspects that are going to feel contradictory and uncomfortable at times.  An alternative may be 'reaping what we've sown' ... or as a friend just said 'chickens coming home to roost'!

My reference to Kipling's If poem turns out to be more than prescient for June!  Just so you know, I only look ahead and write the transits in the last few days before the month starts (although I've made a brief mention of July further down ... just to contradict myself LOL!).  I do keep a general overview of major shifts ahead, but not the day to day themes.  I also avoid reading anything other people say before I sit down and tune in ... it's always interesting to see how my view compares with theirs and sometimes I look back and see what/who were nearer the mark from my perspective ... but I have that kind of enquiring rabbit-hole design!

For me May was testing and has resulted in some big, and necessary, shifts.  It really did turn out to be a case of seeing the wood for the trees ... so I can assure you dear readers I thought carefully before creating June's title ... it will be very interesting to see which Rune steps forward once I've finished this narrative!  We can perhaps take some comfort that for the second half of June, from the Runic calendar's perspective, we have Dagaz in charge ... this to coincide with the Summer Solstice ... and this rune is about the light of day, returning to your life following your hero's journey, forever changed and with new insights.

Notable points this month ... Moon will be New in gate 35 line 2 at 10:04 GMT 3rd June, and Full on 17th at 08:33 in gate 11 line 4 which is just a whisker off the Galactic Centre so a powerful one - that position is in Sagittarius for the astrology buffs amongst you.

Summer Solstice and another Pagan Sabbat occurs on 21st at 15:56 with the Sun in the gate of humanity/extremes and the moon in the gate of revolution ...

None of the outer planets are moving gates this month so we have Jupiter working backwards through 26, the gate of the trickster, Saturn also retrograde in 54, the upgrade/marrying maiden alongside the south node, so continuing the review of your past associations.  Uranus bringing shocks in the gate of nourishment/nurture, 27, Pluto retrograde in 61, inner truth, and Neptune in that gate of grace, 22, which will be seeing extra activations this month ... he also turns retrograde on 22nd so other than Uranus all the slower collective planets will be in review mode by the end of the month. 

Mercury will be slowing too and stationing retrograde in early July in a leadership gate (31) which will be seeing a lot of action, but I'll cover that next time, it's deeply rooted in language and I see 56 will be making an appearance too so no let up over the summer it seems - and July is eclipse month too ... ha ha!

So here's my best shot at what's going on week by week.  This month I haven't spent hours trawling all the additional asteroids, I'm just not called to, but if anything interesting pops up through the month I'll do an extra post.  Soooo ... tomorrow, 1st June, closes out the enthusiastic focus theme but sees Mercury move to gate 12, standstill, triggering the first of the 12-22 hook-ups (see post from last month for more insight into this energy - hint, it's manifesting and emotional!). 

2nd - 7th - We have the Sun in the gate of adventure (35) and progress which is supported by the North Node (where we are heading) which is still in 53, gradual progress (getting those roots firmly attached before shooting up too quickly - for anyone with 36 in their natal chart (and that's me ...) there will be access to the channel of versatility, that's another manifesting emotional one and can express as extreme boredom prefacing a massive leap into the unknown). 

Earth will be in 5, all things rhythm and knowing your own timing ... given we have the manifesting emotional channel of 12-22 for the first few days really tune into yourself before leaping especially as Venus is falling apart and Mars is feeling provocative and Jupiter is in trickster mode.  Later in the week we lose the 12-22 as Mercury shifts to 15 the gate of humanity and extremes ... this will form another channel, this time with the Earth's position in 5 hooking up the sense of self and direction with sacral power, so the second half of this period is when to move it seems to me!

Of course we have the New Moon on 3rd - 35.2 - Growing:  Every interaction brings potentially new experiences.  In a state of moodiness you can insist on progress whether the timing is right or not. Chetan

This chimes well with the Earth's position on 6th which seems like the best advice this week ... probably for the entire month to be honest!

5.5 - Inner Balancing:  Innocent acceptance of life's rhythm is a vital quality of Being.  Seeing what life offers can be a delight, or, if you insist life should bring more, a challenge.  Chetan

8th - 13th - The Sun is now in 45, a gate of rulership and gathering together for collective strength, it's another throat energy position for the sun following last week's 35.   We have the Earth opposite in 26, a will centre gate which is all to do with resources ... it's the trickster gate in its lower frequency a potential manipulating energy, perhaps here challenging the veracity of those stepping forward to rule.  Mercury will be in 39 where we've just had Mars, this is about provocation as it strives to find a way to break through hardship - and it's part of the individual circuitry. 

A powerful collection of energies especially when you note that Venus, all things values and relationships, will be in another throat gate, 20, the gate of the NOW, AND fiery Mars will be conjunct the North Node looking for progress ... and is a position of course that is in opposition to Saturn who is trying to get you to review where you've come from and with whom you've made alliances and perhaps where you have over-ridden others.  This week is one for feeling that rock and the hard place and potentially being very aware of what you have sown, for good and ill of course.

On 10th-11th Venus will move through line 3 of 20 and this feels like good advice to hold through this week ...

Being Objective:  Developing an ability to watch thoughts and actions impassively.  Establishing guidelines by dispassionately watching the effect you have on your world.

14th - 19th - the major period for the 12-22 channel, especially as it is the Sun's position that is activating Neptune in 22.  Soooo, Sun in 12 the energy of standstill ... it's also considered to be the portal to the super-conscious, it encourages us to step back and out of the struggle and take time to review, to tune in to our inner truth, and we have Pluto there in the gate of Inner Truth too. 

The Earth is grounding us through the gate of Harmony, Peace and Ideas in 11 and takes us over the Galactic Centre on the 18th just after the full moon.  But we have also have Mercury taking up the position that Mars had last week providing yet another conjunction with the North Node ... we are constantly being pointed toward this gradual progress energy but with the emphasis on gradual, especially with the Sun stood still for a week. 

Again the push-pull, the potential rock and the hard place.  Mars arrives in 62, still a little ahead of Mercury ... this position will now trigger Chiron in 17 and bring the channel of 17-62, a projected energy linking the mind with throat ... I've talked about this channel before, it's one I have, that of the Organizer, it's the ability to see the bigger picture without getting bogged down in the details BUT it requires the understanding that longer term visions do require taking account of the details too.  With Chiron involved this could be a moment for some to understand where ignoring the details, or the bigger picture, has been a blind spot that needs healing.

Full Moon on 17th - 11.4 - Fluttering Wings.  Do not enrich yourself by using your neighbours.  Don't admonish (them but) use sincerity ... for they are more likely to be sincere.  Margaret Pearson The Original I Ching ... I fancied a more esoteric excursion!   An interesting aspect considering we have Saturn reviewing who you have used to progress.

20th - 25th - Sun in 15, humanity/extremes and the Earth in 10 an interesting gate which in direct translations is 'treading' and refers to the analogy of the caution required when treading around a tiger ... and for tiger you can understand it as a difficult person, situation or even part of your own personality.  Here the emphasis is on one's conduct, it's also associated with self-love and knowing the self within Human Design.  It's interesting to be a pair with 15, humanity/integrity and extremes, so we have two energies that can balance one another as we take care to note extremes and deal with them in a correct manner. 

Solstice Sabbat occurs on 21st - Sun in 15.2 - Being Persistent: Finding reassurance by maintaining your sincerity and integrity.  You have the strength to accept your own particular ways as natural in the flow of life.  Chetan

Venus brings the energy of Adventure (35) back into play just when we are needing to be wary of extremes and behaving appropriately!  And Mars and Mercury finally conjunct just as the week starts in 62 bringing our focus to the small, to the details, another contradictory set of energies in many ways. 

62.2 The situation is not ready to be resolved.  The way is shown to one who waits modestly and patiently.  BBW

By the end of the week Mercury has moved into 56 and is bringing back all the experience of the journey having successfully (or not) been willing to blend in and honour different ideas.

26th - 30th we finish the month with the Sun returning to a position of stillness, the Mountain (52) whilst the Earth is feeling joyful having made the necessary corrections, Mercury (and Mars now) is still telling the tales of the journey but Venus is aligned with the Sun's energy of stillness as she now occupies 12 and therefore triggers another 12-22 phase.

This feels like a week for quietly reviewing the month, sharing your journey with others perhaps and being joyful for navigating some tricky energies.  Next month will see the Earth/Sun conjunct the nodes, eclipses and a Mercury retrograde so take this final week of June to regroup and prepare.

And now to the Runes, as mentioned above the second half of the month 14th-29th is Dagaz, the first half is Othala, May 29th - June 14th - the moment of reviewing what you are leaving behind, stepping into your birthright and all things ancestors.  This is an alternate order for the Elder Futhark which more usually has Othala after Dagaz.  The new sequence of energies then begins in July with Fehu.

For the month of June Sowilo has stepped up!  Seems rather appropriate for mid Summer being as it literally translates as the Sun.  It is the sudden flash of inspiration, about the breakthrough and its appearance can mark the completion of having persevered through hardship, having mastered the work.  Take time to celebrate and revel in the moments of quiet looking back at the hard work and challenges that have allowed you to reach a completely new understanding.  The challenge of Sowilo can be to remind us we are part of the whole, the sun powers everything, what we have been shown can't be unseen and we have a duty to share and act upon it.


Full Moon - 22:13 BST

Tonight we have the Full Moon in gate 14 line 4 (toward the end of Scorpio) which means the Sun will be shining from gate 8 line 4 (toward the end of Taurus of course).

A good line to remember at the moment would be from Kipling's If 

"If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs ..."

and this is very much the message of the Sun's position

"Remain constant in the use of proper principles and success will surround you" BBW.

And then there is Chetan's take "Being Statesmanlike: Empowering cooperation by welcoming all contributions"

The Sun has a number of companions at this position including Arachne (the boastful weaver who paid the price) and Artemis (Apollo's twin) and a protector of young maidens. 

The Earth and Moon are together on the other side with Kassandra - she of the disbelieved prophecies and interestingly cursed when she spurned Apollo's advances, so tonight she will be facing his Sister across the mandala, what an interesting mix of female energies at play.

The Moon's position ... "If you reject boastfulness, no blame" (Margaret Pearson's Original I Ching)

Just remember that line 4 is all about the network, connections, opportunities coming from those known to you.

And the Rune for tonight ... Othala ... the last rune of the alphabet, about destiny, ancestors and what legacy we leave behind us.

Enjoy

12 - 22 Channel for the next week ... and watch out from the 9th

Mars has moved into the 12th gate and thereby connects up with Neptune in the 22nd, connects in the sense that these positions create a channel in Human Design.

It is a manifesting channel connecting the throat to the emotional centre.  It's named 'openness' and is part of the individual knowing circuitry and connects the energy of grace (22) to that of standstill (12).

So how does it play out, and what might you notice over the next week ... well as far as its emotional wave is concerned it is has highs and lows in pulses and often not much in between ... beings with this channel can appear at the mercy of their emotions, and being a manifesting energy that can spell troubles, or great delights of course.  These people need to be very clear with themselves before sharing their emotions with others.  Those that ignore their emotions may well find them welling up and blocking their paths.  It's not an easy energy but allows one to experience the full range of experience life has to offer.

I find it interesting that this energy is in play this week given our current UK political climate ... we could see some huge swings and lots of frayed tempers.

Later in the week we have the 42-53 come into play, this one is all about cycles ... beginnings, middles and endings ... interesting combination with the 12-22 that's for sure especially on 9th May when we see the Sun/Earth combination bring another channel to the party, and another individual one at that, this time the 'freak to genius' 43-23 ... this can be the source of awesome ideas to move forward, if only they can be articulated and understood by others ... on the 10 th we have yet another individual channel come on stream with the 61-24, channel of 'the thinker'.  4 channels for all to tap into and 3 of them individual energies ... be VERY, VERY aware!