Daykeeper Journal: Retrograde Watch

by Maya del Mar

Each month we will give the dates of the month’s planetary "stations" in this spot.

From Earth’s standpoint, planets periodically reverse their direction. We call this a retrograde period. It is a time to assimilate that planet’s energies, to bring them home to us and work with them on inner levels. During retrograde times, people are idiosyncratic—more true to their natures—in their expression of the retrograde energy.

On the days surrounding a planet’s "turn," it is moving very slowly or standing still in the heavens. We call this a station. Energy is very pronounced then, and events on earth reflect that emphasis.

During the few days around the directional change of a planet, its action manifests more strongly. We can see its principle more clearly then. Pay attention to the station days. They’re always significant.

Mercury has two stations this month. This gives Mercury, the communicator, an extra emphasis for the entire month. We can know that we will be busy, for Mercury is a god on the go, with much to and fro-ing. There will also be much talk, for Libra is a communicative air sign who enjoys the world of ideas and a stimulating give and take.

When Mercury is retrograde, we have an opportunity to search our minds and hearts, to better know where we’re really at, to speak out with greater authenticity. For this reason, disagreements and misunderstandings can be heightened during this time.

On October 1, Mercury turns retrograde at 30 Libra, exactly the same degree where it turned direct on election night, November 7, 2000. Thus we are now very connected to the events of the election and the controversy which has raged around it. In addition, this is a Full Moon time, when illumination and awareness is keen.

The veils between worlds are thin now, and we can more easily move into other dimensions. I think of Inanna’s descent to the underworld, where she is stripped of everything that had meaning to her in this world. With this Mercury, we can explore the past, and the depths, and emerge with new wisdom.

Our thoughts will focus on our society, its role in the world, and our roles in it. In the first place, Libra is a sign which fights for social justice. In the second place, Mercury emerges from its descent with close connections to Saturn and Jupiter, those two big planets which run the daily affairs of Planet Earth. Work, affiliations, and social roles will be on our minds.

Shortly after Mercury emerges from his descent, on the evening of October 22, Venus catches up to him to advise him in regard to new affiliations and values. This Mercury retrograde month of October represents a social turning point. Look for Mercury and Venus together low in the morning sky during the last days of October.

On October 17, while Mercury is retrograde and we are reviewing, Neptune turns direct. Current primary focuses of Neptune are oil, drugs, addiction, and denial. Other possibilities include a widespread and idealistic community, such as the UN. Watch the days around this date to see how Neptune is expressing. As it moves forward, we can move into new Neptunian experiences in the coming weeks and months. Neptune acts to unify.

Uranus turns direct on October 30, just as Moon is becoming full. This will be an exciting Moon, for Uranus opens us to new perspectives and enlightenment. Events around this time will show us Uranus currently in action. Uranus tends to act suddenly, and can be quite disruptive, and even shocking. It is unpredictable because it opens us to hitherto unseen possibilities.

Vesta turns retrograde on October 9, opposed by powerful Pluto and clever Pallas. Vesta represents focus and dedication. She is also protective of her investments. With Vesta now in the sign of Gemini, there will be a long review of the communications industries. The whole area of financial investments may cave in, as it threatened to do even before the September 11 event. We may have another Black Tuesday.

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