Willpower Astrology

Hi y’all,

It’s that time again! Mercury goes Retrograde from 11 degrees Virgo to 28 degrees Leo, starting tonight and going until 5.30am MST on September 5.

Mercury went retrograde in Virgo last summer too, although it stayed in the sign. This time it backs up to the very degree of the Total Solar Eclipse (which happens 8/21) in the sign of Leo. This means all of the analytical reevaluation plus dramatic feelings on top! I think this particular retrograde phase will bring focus to the Virgo-ruled work environment. But this time it won’t be “am I doing the best I can do?” This time it’ll be “do I give two shits about what I am doing?” ARE WE HAVING FUN YET? will be the typical lament of this time. And you’ll really wonder…

The chart for today that kicks off this retrograde has a LOT going on.

• CARDINAL GRAND CROSS: Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn are activated in a dynamic, potentially disruptive way. People will tend to erupt, it might seem like the only way around an obstacle is directly though it. Tensions are high.
• GRAND FIRE TRINE: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius are activated in a flowing, harmonious way. Any spiritual impulses can be easily manifest into reality during this time. Mastery of the self is of prime importance: what you think, you will create.
• MYSTIC RECTANGLE: Venus opposition Pluto and Mercury opposition Neptune create a tug of war on our shared perceptions and values. The answers are inherent to the problem, you won’t gain anything by avoidance.
• KITE: Moon/Uranus opposition Jupiter and Sun/North Node/Mars trine Saturn puts others in focus, but we will not be inclined to give up any ground. Anything that crosses a line during this time will be challenged and put in check. We will be inclined to see limitations as teachers now, the opportunity to learn will be ripe with what seems like annoyances.

And that’s not all! But it’s all I wanted to try and unwrap right now. Basically, this is a very energized time but it can be unpredictable. A lot can be achieved if the whole time isn’t spent putting out fires. How long you spend firefighting will depend on how you escalate or deescalate a situation. Only you can prevent forest fires.

The other thing I find INCREDIBLY INTERESTING is that Mercury is backing up to the point of the Solar Eclipse. This event marks a new beginning on the Leo heart level, we will feel pulled in a new direction by those Leo heartstrings. There are new horizons to explore, and the heart won’t be content to stay put. This retrograde period is forcing us to analyze the circumstances surrounding this new event horizon. After Mercury moves direct on September 5, we will be more confident about those potentially life-altering decisions. The heart wants what it wants, and Leo’s motto “I Will” indicates that it’ll get it. Regardless of whatever else may get in the way…

So all in all, this retrograde gives us a veritable bevy of energy akin to throwing gas on a fire. How we allow ourselves to burn in response to others’ crackling vibes will be a marker of our success. Did we control burn the overgrowth or did we light up all of our bridges? Be careful to the fires you are tending. You can create anything now, it’s of paramount importance that you know what that is. Ripples of this retrograde will bounce back all year.

Cheers,

Will

P.S. Used the good ole ephemeris and Buddha Board at the Golden Braid for info and visuals, also astro.com:)