Chill out

A word on Mercury retrograde. I am having an amusing time over here: I had to physically go into my bank because of an issue with my account. Mercury’s retrograde in Taurus, the sign that rules money, belongings, and values. I don’t think this example could be more perfect. I also received news of an ex, which is a typical manifestation of Mercury retrograde, and the ex in question is even a Taurus. Also, at work, where there’s no such thing as final, and I’ve had to re-do several documents that were declared final and then found to contain technical errors I wouldn’t have detected because I’m not the subject matter expert. I also bought a guide from an astrologer I respect only to find that I’d purchased it 6 years ago and she’d only changed the title: just another fun lesson in not buying things during the retrograde. I’m not immune from the rules! All of these things are textbook, and I am amused, while also being mildly inconvenienced.

The thing I like about the end of this Mercury retrograde (2nd week of May) is that it’ll station (appear to stop in the sky to turn the other direction, relative to earth) in sextile aspect to Saturn, which is a good aspect, and one of thinking things through and having realistic conversations. Mercury in Taurus is very grounded as it is, so the Saturn aspect is super clarifying. If you’re stuck in a situation and you’re not sure about the way forward, give it a little more time.

The best use of this energy, honestly, is thinking about the pursuit of peace for yourself and whoever else you prefer to think about. What agitates you? What relaxes you? How can you do more of the relaxing things? Think about it, because it’s a really clarifying time to do so.

For those of us currently under a Pluto transit, it is stationing (appearing to stop) to go retrograde (backwards) until October. I felt Pluto coming for the last couple of years (toward its current location), and I felt extremely stressed until the thing stopped and turned in the other direction. Then I felt like I could exhale and things got easier. I was also acutely aware of my problems, which are the same problems I have now, they’re just more physically evident now than they were for the last couple of years. The dangerous part of Pluto stations is the current sky, because people who are not dealing with (or actively hiding from) their issues will feel them getting less escapable and simultaneously harder to face directly. Usually, people have to let something go or let some part of their life die that they’d really prefer to keep, even though they know it’s not serving them anymore. In other words: the pressure is getting worser (right now). This is not applicable to all of you, just some of you, but if you look around you’ll find a handful of stressed out people in your midst and I am willing to bet this is why. Pluto in Aquarius demands that we innovate, so it’s not just letting something go, it’s approaching that category of life (which will be heavily dependent on their chart) from a whole different perspective.

Less stressfully but notably, Venus (in Gemini) will square Neptune (in Pisces) next week. There’s a very low chance that your significant other would try to hide something from you next week, but this would be the sky to do it under (that’s not a suggestion). A better use of the energy would be going to Disney World and spending all your money while detaching from reality, or similar. Maybe do something whimsical and within your budget next week? That helps you find peace?