Mercury turns Direct, yet still in the shadow

Oh the popularized “Mercury Retrograde”.   This astrological event has seemed to make its way into the mainstream awareness along with Sun sign astrology.  As of June 11th, Mercury went direct or rather than moving backwards in relation to Earth, it is now moving forward.  However, as in our lives when shifts occur, it isn’t just ON and then OFF.  It is a phase or transition that doesn’t have sharp endings and beginnings, but rather small steps that eventually lead to a different direction.  Such is the case for Mercury- while it is now moving along with the “normal” rhythm again, it still has some catching up to do to get back where it started prior to going “retro”.  It is currently at 4 degrees Gemini and started its journey of recollection at 13 degrees so it must make its way back through those past moments to be fully on track again.  This will happen around June 27th.  Our thinking and communication shall start to flow with greater ease; however there still may be some tricky moments of misunderstanding.  As this latest retrograde was in Gemini, ruler of Mercury, it seemed to be quite intense as anytime a Planet is in its “home” sign, it can have some extra oomph as it knows exactly how to leverage those energies.  Mars has also been in Gemini and, especially at the end of May was close enough to Mercury to add just the right amount of fuel to the fire of the inquisitive “monkey mind”.

Today we see Mars very close to the Sun, which is the “yang” or outward force, the will, illuminated and energized by the Sun’s golden rays.  We may be experiencing a drive to ‘get out there’ and be active, to play within the arena of information and dialogue. We may feel especially chatty or interested in considering all possible facts or we may feel inclined to take a short trip, even if that trip may be to the corner store or library.  We may want to be “fed” information and are encouraged to get really “curious” as we move about this beautiful world.