Yesterday, the 22nd November, the Sun entered Sagittarius and on 24th November, Mercury stands stock still ready to change from forwards for a three week stint of running backwards. And as if this isn’t enough, the New Moon on 25th November is a Solar Eclipse. Talk about a big plate of goodies to keep us on our toes!
It starts with Mercury changing direction on the 24th November followed by the New Moon in Sagittarius – 25th November, 2011. This particular New Moon is also a partial Solar Eclipse. This means that the body of the Moon does not completely obscure the Sun’s disk as it would if it were total – however, it does cover part of the Sun and cause a shadow to cover some of the Earth.
The country where the shadow falls can undergo changes during the period of influence, ranging from 1 to 2 years – however, as this one is partial, it will most likely last for about 6 months. This will be true for personal charts also.
This Eclipse shadows both the bottom of South Africa and Australia. I would think that we will see major weather patterns and some political upheaval, especially in South Africa, where looks as if things could become volatile over the next few months. Eclipses have a 19 year repeat pattern – look at what you were doing then and see how a similar theme asserts itself in your life now.
Mars is making very slow progress through Virgo right now – in readiness for his own retrograde motion starting at the end of January – thus creating a challenging 90 degree aspect to the eclipse. I will incorporate this into the readings that follow.
First of all, thank you to Edgar Winter, Australian Astrologer, for writing this next piece:
Mercury Goes Retrograde…24th November to 14th December 2011
The Sagittarius Sun starts 22nd November and turns eyes toward distant skies where hope is revived by images of brighter days ahead. This uplifting fire sign can stir hearts with heroic stories and noble aspirations. Yet the shadow of its rampant optimism about tomorrow is a denial of current concerns. Instead of dealing with the concrete issues of the present, we can escape into an imaginary future. Overselling ourselves on beliefs and plans may provide short-lived relief, yet can make reality more painful when we’re finally forced to face it. Judgment based on concepts of absolute right and wrong can crush compassion under the heel of self-righteousness. Yet when minds are open and innovative ideas are exchanged we can change the world.
Normally light-footed Mercury already walks heavily in opinionated Sagittarius, so its retrograde turn in this sign can make it especially clumsy. Misstatements and minor lapses could create major complications until the messenger planet resumes forward motion on December 14. Think twice before speaking in delicate situations when seemingly clever comments are unlikely to hit the mark. Double-check details, travel plans and maintain equipment to avoid untimely breakdowns. The planet Mercury rules all our communication abilities.
It’s about thoughts, words and the way we express ourselves. It turns three times a year in retrograde motion, that is, it turns visually backwards in the heavens as it passes our Earth in orbit. Mercury takes 88 days to go around the Sun and the Earth takes 365 days. Each time it passes us it appears to go backwards in the sky. The retrograde period lasts about 21 days. During that time it’s a poor idea to buy or sell, sign contracts and otherwise enter into agreements as the details will often get mixed up or confused. Typical events during a retrograde Mercury include challenging weather, uncovering information relating to the past, old news coming back into print and communications stuff-ups. Mercury retrograde can also be used to reorganise your data and files and journey back into the past to reconnect. Old creative ideas can be revived and reworked.
Because 2011 is universally a FOUR year (in numerology), this Mercury retrograde process becomes important in the major adjustments as we move our efforts to organise, plan and launch our innovative resourcefulness into new directions. Mercury retrograde provides the opportunity to adjust our thoughts, attitudes and communications about our direction. This next 3 week period sets the stage for the transitions that you will experience as you move out of 2011 and prepare to move into 2012, emphasising the major thrust of change, breakthrough and freedom as the new environment on the horizon. The journey through this retrograde determines your inner and outer alignment as philosophy, motives and beliefs determine the choices made and the paths that come into visibility during this retrograde.
Once again Edgar Winter’s website can be found here.
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