Please allow me to digress a bit this week.  Rather than the usual astrology 101 educational piece this week (and yes, the cosmic weather report is already a day late.  My apologies), I would like to just talk it out.

 

Many people have contacted me this week to ask, "What the hell is going on?"  I have to admit, that for all the demystification and "enlightnement" that I have tried to embue for the benefit of the doubt regarding Mercury Retrograde, I too, have been saying all week, "It's been a hell of a Mercury Retrograde!"

 

Sometimes, there's a part of me that feels "immune" to certain astrological events and effects, as if  my knowledge was somehow powerful enough to keep me from feeling any pain or suffering through any of the numerous communication breakdowns that often arise during this crazy time.

 

After all, we are not ruled by the planets and life is still a mystery.

 

Somehow, I thought I could keep my feeling of security and take stock in my so-called knowledge.  I know that the retrograde is all about introspection and re-doing things, so I couldn't possibly get snagged up, and as your astrological guide, I had hoped to deter the negative effects for you, dear reader, as well.

 

Yet, with all of those good intentions, I have to admit that even I have been in shock by all of the destabilizing events that have conspired in my own life this week.

 

With Mercury retrograding through Gemini, it seems that the evil twin has somehow come out to play with some of us in a detrimental and challenging way, either through the breakdown of our cars or computers, or through waiting for mail that doesn't ever seem to arrive or through the breakdown of communication in our relationships.

 

Seems that this past week was ripe for vicious rumors, innuendo and the Shadow side of Gemini and its trickster, storyteller, coyote to sting and bite us where we least expected it.  Yes, the shadow loves to gossip and embellish.  It's spiraling energy can multiply rather quickly and sweep us off our feet in unexpected and uncomfortable ways.

 

As Mercury continues its retrograde back into Taurus, we will be given the chance to slowly "chew" and "digest" all that we have heard and experienced this past week.  At some point, we will put all of our anxieties aside and take the time to reflect, reorganize and devise a new plan.  We can decide whether to repair our old car, computer, or lover...or to turn them in for a newer and more authentic model.

 

We should get a chance to get focused back into our bodies and experience just "being."  I have been told by many friends this week that the truth will always emerge.  Sometimes it is slowly, but surely it will be there.  It is the suffering in between that seems hardest for us all to bear.

 

If any of you have experienced communication breakdowns or breakdowns of any kind this week, my heart goes out to you, for I am there on that journey with you.

 

If it helps, I know it is always useful to me when I can assure myself that no matter what, I will be okay. No matter what the possible loss or the possible pain, the doors that may be closing...there are always new ones to take the place of the old and worn out...new life generates from the ashes of death, for life always finds a way.  (think of the Pheonix rising from the ashes...it took total surrender and letting go to disintegrate into dust...and out of that dust comes a rebirth...allow it!)

 

Though it is often easier said than done, I am hoping we can all use the remaining retrograde period to reflect seriously on what feels like "truth" to us.  What is in your heart?  What is in your gut?  What does your intuition say to you?  If you can't sort it out, then pray...pray a lot and at some point, you will be given the answers.  We must trust in that.

 

For those of you who have been unscathed this week ~ congratulations! For the rest of us, I am more than convinced that we just have to get back to our lives, even if they feel shattered at the moment and slowly just keep putting one foot in front of the other.  Eventually, we will move forward.

 

I also find that when I can remain in gratitude, no matter how small, I am able to stay in the present moment. In the present moment, we cannot be subject to our fears from the past, nor our fear of the future.

 

I'm here with you~ Dawn