by Heather Roan Robbins
Strange feeling swirl. Our efforts at communication can be both magical and way off base. Wild weather challenges transportation in many parts of the country. Our minds drift to our strangest hopes and fears or wander into moments of irritability and forgetfulness. Plagues of rabid bats roam the land. Well, not that last one; we can’t blame everything on Mercury retrograde, even if it is in its own nervy sign of Gemini, conjunct Mars and the Sun, and all square confusing, soggy Neptune, a pattern which can make this retrograde cycle (May 20-June 13) feel even more retrograde than usual.
What a wonderful time to write fiction, if we can tell fiction from reality, though reality itself might be plenty strange. Or we may just drift and putter. We can get lost in a bog of memories or chew on them for more understanding or just for the emotional high of intense feelings. But the theories we develop now about what actually happened can be layered with our own projection or self-doubt. Let memories surface, and let them flow away; our understanding of them will probably be distorted and our desire to hold onto them may really speak of a need for a break from the present. By the end of the week we have an opportunity to turn a corner towards the future.
This lineup (Mercury retrograde conjunct Mars and the Sun, all square Neptune) does call for some time out, time to work on project we love, time to read a book that takes us far away, or meander through the woods from the joy of our heart. Though it’s probably not a good idea to tune out and step off the grid completely. We can think erratically and speak sharply, and may need to stay involved enough to modify specious decisions being made in the body politic or at the family dinner table. Let’s be direct and honest, keep to the point, but avoid sweeping statements (we will regret them) and consider the consequences of our words.
We need this time out, but we need also to not drop the ball on important plans that are unfolding for the rest of the summer. So let’s see if we can take a few days here and there, a few hours every day to dwell in those other realms between the worlds, renew, revive, heal, and imagine. And also bring our attention every day to the details that need follow through to manifest the great plans unfolding later the summer.
Long longer trips may actually go more smoothly, especially trips back home, but local transportation can get snarled easily, keep an eye on weather and construction paths this Mercury retrograde. Electronic communication can have its quirks and force us to upgrade, but what looks like a problem at the beginning could bring a real improvement.
We may waft slowly through Friday in a hazy or confused mood as Mercury squares Neptune. The Moon then enters Scorpio for the weekend as the Sun squares Neptune and keeps us deep in our inner world. We can tap into deep pools of feeling, combine Gemini expressiveness and Scorpio’s ability to drill deep, and feel wafting existential loneliness underneath socially fluid Gemini. The combination can produce great music and empowered artwork, because we long to find soul expression.
We can have funny conversations about terribly dark and deep things, find unusual ways of helping one another, but may go back and forth between needing to be with people, and needing to be alone. Let’s make sure all of our needs are met. This energy can also be highly flirtatious and intense, with old loves and one night stands recycling; just don’t make the same mistake twice.
Next week brings a full Moon in Sagittarius rife with possibilities and nervous energy, and possible grand snafus along the way. It first sets off a grand a T-square in the morning (as it opposes the Sun, Merc, Mars combo and squares Neptune) then a grand trine the evening (when it trines Jupiter and Uranus). This full Moon in Sagittarius can restlessly dislodge us from old ruts, it asks us where we want to go and can opens up opportunities to get there. It can mark a turning point away from some sadness or failure in the past, where it may have been hard to see our options, and now offers glimpses of fresh roads opening up. We can use this full Moon to let go of an old obsession, habit, or relationship that has been draining our hearts and begin the search for more fertile fields.
Be kind to nerves and nervy people. Because of the cross-currents involved on this full Moon, we can feel scattered or pulled in many directions, feel one of every possible emotion, or feel confused as we stand at some interior crossroads. It’s a good time to support empaths and people whose psyches are frayed. On a practical level we may see crossed wires or crossed signals, arguments around education and foreign-policy, and water damage to transportation; all these bring an opportunity to take a deep breath and open our minds and hearts a little wider, and work a way around the problem.
The week ends on a more competent Capricorn Moon that might get a little cranky but can help us refocus our efforts.
Friday, May 29: Soggy conditions, overstimulated imagination, fuzzy thinking; our mind and heart can feel bogged down as Mercury squares Neptune this morning. The Moon in friendly Libra encourages us to socialize and connect, but we may just be a little irritable around the edges. Watch out for accidents and change of plans this morning, just stay aware as the Moon opposes Uranus. Kindness helps around awkwardness or relationship wobbles midafternoon as the Moon squares Venus, though our intentions will probably be good. Afternoon, if we can quit work early let’s do it’s not a focused organize time; social conversation might more productive than trying to keep our nose to the grindstone. Just watch the commentary as feelings can get hurt when we think we’re just being witty.
Mercury square Neptune 1 AM, Moon opposed Uranus 6:17 AM, Moon square Venus to20 p.m. then Moon VOC
Saturday, May 30: Dark and light, deep and shallow, this day runs with extremes as the Moon enters focused and intense Scorpio while the Sun conjuncts Mercury in nervy Gemini. Feel the need to communicate but at the same time a deep need for privacy. Share where people are open, and respect “do not enter” signs. Come together for a cause or purpose; our short-term concentration is strong, we do well with a sense of purpose. Evening brings an opportunity to dream as the Moon trines Neptune. Notice what’s going on underneath the words.
Moon enters Scorpio 3:33 AM, Sun conjunct’s Mercury 10:55 AM-8° Gemini, Moon trine Neptune 10:30 PM,
Sunday, May 31: Lots of strong emotions but very little clarity this morning as the Sun squares Neptune. Let it be a meditation. Feel for that deep connection with spirit, the doors will be unusually open and the rest of life could be too confusing. Watch out for problems with liquids, water, things that flow. Take a flood seriously, and don’t be surprised by a flood of tears or laughter. A generous streak helps midday moves into healing opportunity tonight.
Sun square Neptune 7:07 AM, Moon square Jupiter 11:30 AM, Moon trine Chiron 8:26 PM,
Monday, June 1: Morning is a little slow and preoccupied, our thoughts still linger over personal emotional concerns of the weekend but we can find room to be compassionate with one another as the Moon trines Venus. Just watch for people’s prickly defenses, honor their personal space and rhythm. The momentum picks up this afternoon as the Moon enters more upbeat Sagittarius but circles back to serious plans, vows, and thoughtful moments as the Moon conjunct Saturn.
Moon trine Venus 5:01 AM, then Moon VOC, Moon enters Sagittarius 12:39 PM, Moon conjunct Saturn 4:20 PM.
Tuesday, June 2: It was the worst of days; it was the best of days. The Sagittarius Moon forms a confusing, nervous making, intriguing and mysterious T-square as it opposes Mercury, Sun and Mars all now in Gemini (from 8 to 12°) and all of these square Neptune (at 9° Pisces). At the best of this we can feel at one with the whole world. At the worst we can feel scattered and at odds with the whole world, or at least a little fried along the way. Unusual honesty is available and so are misunderstandings perpetuated in the name of honesty. When in doubt, it may help to be quiet, and listen with the intuitive nature instead of the very busy mind. At its peak midday we can feel pulled in many directions, but some of those pulls could be through unexpected opportunities. Choose to turn down a healthier road to more fertile territory. Tonight the energy shifts out of the uncomfortable T-square into a an easier, more exciting grand trine; the energy still buzzes but can bring a more lighthearted or optimistic direction.
Moon opposed Mercury to 20 7 AM, Moon square Neptune 6:37 AM, Moon 18° Sagittarius opposes Sun 18° Gemini at 10:18 AM, Moon opposed Mars 4:30 PM, Moon trine Jupiter7:31 PM, Moon trine Uranus 11:58 PM
Wednesday, June 3: Conversation is scattershot, everybody can be a little ADD, but let’s honor the urge to contact or communicate and build on common ideas and interests. When we work together we become more mobile and resilient through some interesting glitches. Afternoon is more disjointed; it may take a lot of attention to follow through on our work. Expect an urge to escape the countryside and let human concerns float away until evening when the Moon enters Capricorn and sharpens our focus but can bring in a dour edge.
Moon square Chiron 3:28 AM, Moon quintile Neptune 2:56 PM then VOC, moon enters Capricorn 6:50 PM
Thursday, June 3: It’s a good day for practical meetings with the purpose. We can get people to work together for specific issues, but it may take extra work and planning. We have to balance the need to plan and track carefully, with a need to relax and accept the fact that we’re not completely in control and things just won’t flow like we hoped. What seems natural may be blocked, and we have to hack a solution or work around the obstacles. Tonight brings a layer of emotional depth, and an opportunity to invalidate or validate our relationships, with the natural outcomes ensuing. Proceed thoughtfully.
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