Mercury Retrograde Started July 7th, 2019 Ending July 31st, 2019

We’ve all used the Mercury Retrograde excuse; it’s why we’re late, the Internet isn’t working, you broke your toe, etc. When Mercury shifts its direction, it does cause some issues, but honestly, it’s actually not all bad! It’s time to look on the bright side of the Mercury madness and we’re going to tell you why.

What is Mercury in Retrograde?

Four times a year, Mercury goes retrograde which means the planet moves in the opposite direction of the Earth and can create some disorientation down here on Earth. Typically, planets move from east to west around the sun. The phrase “Mercury goes Retrograde” refers to the four times a year when the planet moves from west to east around the sun, giving us on Earth the optical illusion that it is moving backwards.

Think about when you are driving on a highway and pass a car. The other car appears to be moving backwards, but it really is just moving slower than you. That other car is Mercury in this analogy.

What’s All The Hype About?

Mercury is recognized as the planet of communication and logistics. On a modern-day level, this means that we can expect interference in our daily conversations, emails, travels or when we are making plans. It may feel as though we are talking to loved ones and co-workers through a thick static, where messages are getting caught or missed. Technology and travel can be highly effected during this time. Think back to the start of this Mercury Retrograde (July 7th). Did you experience any issues with your travel and technology? Did your TV stop working for no reason? Did you pop a tire?

If you’ve been experiencing computer crashes, mixed messages, tension and uncontrollable emotions, you’re not going crazy and you’re not alone, Mercury is just doing its own thing. But like we said, there’s a positive twist to the mayhem.

3 Reasons Why Mercury Retrograde Actually Rocks:

Image by @digital_errors

New Moon: July 2nd – July 4th

Moon Cycle: July 2nd – July 30th (Full Moon July 16th-19th)

Key Words: release, clearing, courage, emotions, connections, page turning, opportunity, embracing your power, honouring personal boundaries

While last July was ignited with astrological activity that shook up our souls and spirits, setting forth the ripples that would become large waves of change, we are heading into this month with a little more clarity, a bit more control and some understanding on who we are and what we want to be. July’s new moon is aligned with a solar eclipse, rendering the new moon supercharged with possibility. Setting intentions for this new moon will be especially important, if we want to leverage the additional energies that are being lent to us with the spirituality of solar eclipse.

Eclipses can ignite our desires and emotions in unpredictable ways, which contradicts the planting and planning stages of a new moon. So simply be mindful that clear and concise intentions for this moon cycle will be crucial if we want to leverage all of the possibilities that are being presented to us!

Note Your Foundations

The new moon falls in Cancer this month. Cancers are ruled by the moon, so as the moon changes phases quickly, the emotions of Cancers are prone to ups and downs, and deep intensity. Expect to be moved by your emotions over the next few days and take the time to acknowledge what comes up. Cancers maintain strong connections to their foundations, their roots, their homes and their families. Note what is occurring in these particular areas of your life right now. And remember that although planet placement may be bringing certain matters to the surface, it does not always mean that these matters are in a dire state. In fact, you may be finding that your connections to your home and your family are feeling strong and well placed. If so, embrace and honour the feeling of having your feet firmly placed on the ground. Acknowledge the joy of feeling supported. If perhaps these elements are in need of some more building and energy, now is the time to plant the seeds. The new moon in Cancer is an excellent time to build momentum towards stability in your home and family.

Draw The Boundary Line

You may have been feeling as though your personal boundaries have been overstepped lately. You’re not alone. Watching others take advantage of your good nature or simply taking more than their share of your personal energy may have left you with a load of frustration. Or you may be bearing internal anger, irritability and annoyance without even knowing the cause. We often do not recognize the sanctity of our personal boundaries. As humans, we default to over-extending ourselves, giving too much of ourselves, and letting others take more than they should. We also tend to willingly offer up more of ourselves than we are capable of giving, leaving us feeling drained, resentful and completely out of alignment.

As we step into this new moon, you may feel that some of the frustration or resentment you have been holding onto start to melt away. Let it shed off of your shoulders and take a deep breath. Take a moment in your intention setting to acknowledge and honour your boundaries on a multitude of levels; professionally, romantically, sexually, emotionally. You are deserving of space and you are deserving of time and you are deserving of kindness, gratitude and respect.

Set The Stage for the Next Step 

With the eclipse lending strong energies to the new moon, it is the perfect time to put down some grander intentions and to visualize what you want for yourself this summer. Where do you picture yourself in your journey when this powerful summer moon cycle comes to a close at the end of July? What can you do now to support that picture? Invite yourself to step out of your shell and into your personal power this month. Your actions of self-respect and your clarity with what you want will show the Universe you are ready for the next phase. Embrace it!

Today on June 19th, the planets Mercury and Mars team up and directly oppose Pluto in a galactic face off that has tension, fire, volatile energy and conflict written all over it for us here on earth. It’s kind of the Sons of Anarchy gang confrontation equivalent of the planets. Things have the potential to go south and fast.

Mercury rules communication, technology and travel (you know how it goes when Mercury is in retrograde right?) so be prepared for short fuses, bad drivers, traffic delays and misunderstandings. Mars is an actionable planet that is ready to fight at the first call, so this puts our reactionary impulses in overgear. Everyone is stepping on everyone’s toes today and the energy of Mars is pushing us to stake our boundaries with strong defences, fists and fighting words.

Pluto governs our sense of power and domination throwing an actual time bomb in the midst, along with misplaced ambition and ego. This planetary confrontation is intensified by this week’s full moon with a light at the end of the tunnel on Friday as we welcome Summer Solstice.

In short, things could get ugly quickly today. If you’ve felt the energy around you or within intensifying, situations between you and friends or co-workers or your partner getting a bit elevated, or people overstepping their mark on your space both physically and metaphorically (at work, or in the coffee line at Starbucks) you are not alone. The planets are facing off and we’re all feeling the consequences.

Here are some quick tips and tricks for getting through today with grace.

Embrace the Fire and Repurpose It

While we tend to try to push our intense energies down, try leaning into them. With a mindful approach and understanding that how you are feeling today is not really in your control, nor can you do anything about the actions of others, embrace your intensity and put that fire towards accomplishing something great. Lock yourself in your room, avoid others and crush your deadlines. It’s safer inside today anyways, so why not cross some items off your list as your energies are burning inside? Clean your house with gusto. Go for a killer sweaty run.

Avoid Triggers and Reschedule That Meeting 

We always say alignment before hustle right? Sometimes recognizing that you are simply not in a proper mindset to address certain matters, tasks or conversations is the most mindful and responsible thing you can do for yourself. If you are feeling intensely off today, or that there is potential that a certain meeting, phone call, sales pitch or discussion with your client, relationship partner, co-worker or friend is not going to go the way you want it too, then reschedule it. Being mindful of where we are at internally at any given moment and honour it. If we listen to our internal energies and strive to find alignment before action, we will see better results.

Embrace Woo Woo

There are certain practices in the New Age belief system that will help you get grounded and find your centre fast. Turquoise is the perfect stone to have in your presence today for its grounding qualities as well as its connection to the throat chakra, which will aid in communication and confidence. Burning palo santo regularly throughout the day will work to clear any overly intense energies, while the scent will help get you grounded quickly and back in your body if you find your mind is getting carried away with unproductive stories and thoughts.

In short, a bit of mindfulness goes a long way. If you feel tensions and situations are getting out of hand, put a pin in them and come back to them when the planets aren’t at each other’s throats.

Image by @digital_errors

Full Moon: June 17th – 20th

Keywords: bigger picture, expanded view, potency, source, guidance, summer solstice, greater truth, wisdom, intuition, dreams, confidence

The June full moon, otherwise known as the Strawberry Moon, occurring when the wild strawberries become ripe for picking, brings an intensely potent new energy shift, as this full moon is aligned with the Galactic Centre, opening us up both to new opportunities and wider perspectives. The energy portal presented to us at the moment is extremely intense, and with Summer Solstice happening on Friday, all of the energies surrounding us are that much more magnified.

Is The Fire Too Hot? 

You may have been feeling extra emotional and reactive lately, burning with a fire you don’t quite understand or know how to direct. The energies of the divine feminine have been especially potent leading up to this Full Moon in Sagittarius, as it is aligned with the centre of the Milky Way galaxy, an alignment that has been recognized in many ancient cultures as the Womb of the Great Mother, birthing our galaxy into existence.

In short, our connection to our femininity, our emotions, our places of trust and fear, and anger and love have been pushed into overdrive.

With this course of feminine energy running through us, we may have recently become hyper-focused on the small, the immediate, the brunt of each emotion stinging with a start and bringing feelings of finality. If you feel like you have hit some kind of wall in your life, from a personal, professional, emotional or relationship standpoint, the Full Moon in Sagittarius is lending us a revitalized energy and invites us to kick down ANY wall. It is time to look at the bigger picture and embrace small hiccups as mere stepping stones to your more evolved self.

Strawberry’s Don’t Have Egos

Whether it is an opportunity or experience you want to see manifest into existence, or a change you are feeling called to from within, it is important to remember that many times our emotive states are being guided by universal energies. Our reactivities may be a result of frustration with the limits our human bodies put on us. We are constantly battling vices, ego, jealousies, hubris, and ambitions that are a consequential part of the human existence. We see things that we do not believe are fair and we react with anger. We see people who seem to have it all and we feel jealous. Everything may appear to be black and white, but truly we are a myriad of colours and energies that are constantly flowing and changing. Cells within us die and regenerate every single day. You are literally not the person today as you were yesterday.

As your human body ebbs and flows with the science of change, so must we allow our inner beings and our minds the same courtesy.

Your Higher Self is Calling

This is a special full moon, as we are lended the fun and carefree, adventurous characteristics of Sagittarius. If we combine the potent energy the universe is lending with the alignment of the full moon and the Galactic centre with the wanderlust characteristics of Sagittarius, we can actually find ourselves taking bold risks supported by positive energies that will move the dial towards our goals, hopes and dreams.

Before you take any leaps, regroup and get grounded. Take a five for a quick meditation and then just let it go. Jump into summer and make magic happen. The universe is behind you.

Image by @digital_errors

New Moon Cycle: June 3rd – July 1st

New Moon: June 3rd – 5th

Keywords: Communication, Sisterhood (or Brotherhood), Truth, Empowerment, Creativity, Manifesting, Gathering, Starting Something New, Growth, Change, Expression, Emotions

A new moon occurs when both the moon and the sun are in the same sign, resting in the exact same position in the sky. As a result, the moon is dark and invisible, which invites us to retreat back within ourselves, start from scratch and reconnect with our inner beings and souls. A new moon in Gemini is very special, as it lends us the energy of the communicative and airy twins. Geminis crave synergy and thrive on incredible communication. They are stronger in groups, thriving in social situations, which is why the power for manifesting under this new moon is so potent when we gather.

Gather, Chatter and Grow 

Under this new moon, we are encouraged to celebrate, gather, socialize and share. The more effort and energy you put towards something specific during the new moon phase in Gemini, the more possibility we have for making it come true. Our creativity will be sparked and our powers for manifesting will be high, so this is an amazing new moon for vision boarding, journaling, setting intentions and starting new projects.

This is a great time to express yourself with others, while embracing opportunities for mental stimulation and easy conversation. Observe how you respond in communications with others. Are you listening just so you can have your turn to speak? Or are you truly listening and nourishing a connection with another person? Let the sparks of communication connect you with other individuals. Step outside of yourself (you are in your head all day!) and delve into what it means to listen to others and share your own thoughts with care and honour to their value.

It’s Time to Take Responsibility

We are also being called to take responsibility for the life we want to create. In the darkness of the new moon, set aside some time to be alone with yourself and ask yourself what parts of your life are still hanging out in the air, waiting for you to provide them some direction? We are unable to create the life we want until we take responsibility for our actions in creating it. For example, if you are feeling stuck in a career rut, be honest with yourself and see how you are either fuelling that rut or working to find productive ways out of it. What actions are you taking to improve your situation?

This is where practices like vision boarding and journaling can make an amazing difference in our lives. Sometimes putting what we want out into the physical world, on a board or in a journal or in a conversation, is the first step we need to take to make it happen.

Follow Your Intuition and Embrace Something New 

Planetary aspects of this new moon will ignite our intuitions. While this may call us to pull the trigger on our impulses, it is important to be mindful and simply listen to what our inner guidance systems are trying to show us, while reflecting on our emotions and moving forward from alignment. That said, feel free to embrace a new practice or step outside your comfort zone. The manifesting energy around this new moon is strong so the chances of what you put out there creatively, professionally and passionately bringing you a return are strong.

In Short, Gather, Speak and Build
Get together with like minded folk this new moon and plant seeds of passion, desire for change, and communicate. Speak your truth with yourself and with others. Nourish connections with friends and lovers. Embrace the summer, take comfort in your friends, be playful and magic will happen.

Full Moon: May 18th-May 21st

Keywords: Lust, death, taboo topics, emotional change and triggers, reconciling old traumas, sexuality, unconscious desires, connecting to our pleasure centres, empathy

Let’s Get Physical

Phew. The full moon in Scorpio is one lusty, heady and emotional period and you may be feeling a need to reconnect with yourself physically. Our inner sexual desires are called to the forefront and we are encouraged to deep dive into our fantasies, our urges and our calls to pleasure. Whether that’s alone or with a partner (or multiple) embrace the sexual prowess brought forward by the energies of Scorpio and get at it.

It’s Not All About Getting Busy

There are many other ways of honouring our sexuality without actually having sex. Our sexuality is apart of our human experience.  Women, for example, host creative potential and emotions in our wombs and sexual organs. By meditating on the power and beauty of our internal bodies, we are honouring our sexuality in a way that moves beyond physical pleasures. Take the time this full moon to gather and honour your divine femininity in a way that promotes bonding. It can be as simple as making time for a glass of wine and connecting with a best friend.

Emotions and Trauma

Our sexualities also house past emotional and physical trauma as well as current pains and angers. During this contentious period in history when women’s rights and bodies are being challenged and threatened, you may find many of your own emotions resonating to the forefront. Anger, betrayal, past traumas. We are housing quite a bit of sexually-driven anger in our bodies at the moment. You may be feeling extra emotional and slightly out of balance. Subconsciously we are experiencing the past rising up, including experiences that have been beautiful and those that have been terrible. You may find this translates into unexpected tears, inexplicable reactions, and snappy anger.

Shed The Old

When old emotions come up, we can let them go. With the Full Moon in Scorpio, we are invited to acknowledge our emotions, honour them and let past ideas and habits go. We cannot deal with things if they stay hidden, so let everything come up this Full Moon so you can express gratitude for your past experiences and finally move on. Summer is around the corner and it’s ready for you to step into it anew.

Image by @digital_errors

New Moon Cycle: May 4th-June 2nd

New Moon: May 4th-7th

Keywords: Peace, Quiet, Reflection, Meditation, Absorption, Nurture Health Habits, Embrace the Flow, Faith, Ignite Creativity……

The keywords for this new moon are overflowing, as are the possibilities for finding alignment and tapping into yourself this month. This past winter has been harsh for many, as we are reaching what appears to be yet another breaking point both environmentally, politically and within our social constraints. The atmosphere is suffering, our brothers and sisters are facing floods that are literally washing away their lives and many may find that while their own personal challenges are not manifesting themselves with such devastation, it is impossible not to lend our own energy to these situations through empathy. The weather is grey and has been for months and months. Just when we are ready for sun, it snows.

Embrace Reflection and Ignite Gratitude

In our journeys towards spiritual enlightenment and personal wellness, it is important that we do not lose sight of how those who are not as fortunate as us are fairing as they are forced and born into situations of devastation and suffering. And while this is not to discount our own feelings of misfortune or our own personal life challenges, it does work to put our life into perspective. If you stepped out of bed this morning and into a hot shower, you are blessed in ways that so many are not. If you brushed your teeth with fresh water this morning, count your fortunes. Your smile and face has been nurtured and prepped to face the day with clean water and cleansers. You had the option to dress yourself in clothes for the occasions of your day and you have a home to return to this evening.

This new moon in Taurus calls us to reflect on the past few months and express gratitude for our journey. Observe your growth. Where were you exactly this time last year, mentally, emotionally, creatively and from a health perspective. With this new moon, we are invited to go dark and explore our journey to date with gratitude and honour. Be thankful for the mistakes, the opportunities for learning, the ups and the downs, the times of joy and the path ahead. Honour where you were and where you presently are.

Flow Towards Nurture and Nature

The universe’s pull is strong and if we are observant, we will easily recognize the signs we are sent. With this new moon, embrace the practice of flowing. When we flow with the universe, we do not over analyze and criticize when situations are sent our way, but we move into them and join in for the ride. The universe knows exactly where you need to be so don’t resist. For example, you receive an opportunity to try a new fitness class. Observe how your mind response to this opportunity; is your initial instinct to say “No, I could never do that, there is no way I could keep up with the class, what if I look silly, what if I can’t follow along, and it’s a bit pricey isn’t it?” Whoa! Stop that train of thought immediately! Embrace the opportunity that has come up as a fun challenge that could turn you on to something new, or simply end up being a great way to spend some time, burning through old energy and opening yourself up for new.

In that same stead, if you are finding a call to find moments of peace and self-nurture, this is a great month for that. May is slow as winter works to shake off its heavy layers so don’t feel remiss if you find yourself needing a little extra time to wake up, get going and move to action. Stop and smell the roses as they say. You have the time.

In Short, Listen to Your Spirit

Go dark this new moon, spend time with yourself and find ways nurture your spirit and your health. Reflect and honour your journey, and spend time on deciding where you want to be next. Embrace gratitude for your blessings because they are plentiful.

Full Moon: April 19th-21st

Keywords: Balance, finding value in self and relationships, self-worth, shifting, next steps, ego release, back to centre

March’s full moon in Libra invited us to step through a new open energy portal that is finding its close with this full moon in April, which is also in Libra. In March, you may have felt a powerful shift start to occur in and around you. Doubts heightened, stresses emphasized and the ever existential questioning of “what does this all mean?” came into play. What are we doing with our lives? Is the path I am currently on the one I am meant to walk for the rest of my days? Am I resigned to this office, this house, this relationship forever?

The Answer Is Hard To Except

This past month or so so, we have been coming face to face with answers that we may or may not have wanted to confront. The reason is that change is hard. The unknown is worrisome. You may no longer be finding fulfillment in your current situation, but facing that as an actual reality is frightening. If I am not this person in this situation, then who am I at all?

You Are Value and Worthiness Manifested

Who you are is your inner being, who watches the world pass, without any opinions or fears or worries or concerns.Your inner being is your centre point, your equilibrium, that to which we must return frequently. This full moon we are called to come back to our centre, find our point of beginning and our point of end and prepare to move forward a new. Where do your present fears of change stem from? Often when we frightened of changes that we are called to, it is because of egotistic matters. For example, if you were to leave your high profile and respectable job to pursue a career in dog walking, what would others think? And how would your finances take a blow? Would you need to find a smaller apartment? What will your parents and friends think of that? And speaking of my friends, there are a few I could do without, but I can’t stop going out with this group of people because who would make new friends with me at my age? How do people my age even make new friends?

Enough With The Ego
We all have questions like this, but it is simply our egos trying to win a war with our inner being, and this war is one sided.Your inner being is there. The core of who you are is there and you already know the answers. The answer is you will be ok. So let go of the ego and get ready to close the portal door. Thank it for the shifts and emotions and new ideas it brought you this month. Come to centre and under this full moon, get ready to move ahead.

Image by @digital_errors

New Moon: April 5th

Key Words: Surrender, Alignment, Manifesting, Soul Journey, Resist the Ego, Highest Truth, Opportunity, Evolve, Grow and Let Go

One of the most difficult parts of any life journey is working hard towards something we think we want, only to be shown later in some capacity that it’s actually not what we want at all. Don’t be surprised during April’s moon cycle if you hit a wall with a project or life choice you have been working diligently on. In fact, don’t be surprised if you realize suddenly that what you think has been your life’s work turns out that it has only been a stepping stone to the next phase in your soul’s journey.

Yikes! Sounds terrifying, right? Change always is, especially when it comes suddenly. This new moon in Aries marks the midway point of a fiercely telling energy portal that was triggered by the March Super Moon and that will close during April’s full moon. This strong energy will rain clarity on situations that may have been leaving murky question marks throughout your life.

Face-To-Face with The Ego

Many of our life’s choices are ego-driven, when we sit down and think about them. What have you been prioritizing in your life the past few years? Are you able to identify which part of you has been driving you to put energy into these areas? Is it your ego or is it what your soul has truly desired? Remember, we change and we change frequently, so don’t be afraid if suddenly something that has mattered so much to you in the past few years doesn’t seem to matter much at all any more.

This new moon asks us to go dark with it and retreat back into our souls. Connect with your inner being and work to shut down the ego, the fears and the old belief patterns that tell us what a successful life needs to look like. You are not here on this earth simply to show people from your high school that your life is good because it looks like it on Instagram. You are here because your soul wanted to incarnate itself within your body for a journey and a purpose beyond explanation.

But Success Is Good Too, No?

Of course! Along with the seriousness of this new moon, there is great potential for rewarding opportunity afoot! After a harsh winter, we are ready to embrace the abundance of spring, both in season and in life. If you have been putting in the work this winter, expect opportunity to shine down upon you. There is amazing potential for success in both business and in relationships. Note that we may be prone to discouragement this new moon, in spite of the wealth of exciting opportunity before us. Remember to ground yourself when you feel slightly overwhelmed and ask yourself if your fears and insecurities are truly valid or if your ego is simply running amok?

Let Go and Get Aligned

In short, this new moon invites us to let go. If something isn’t making you happy, even if it has been the centre of your world for the past decade like a relationship or a home or a job, then let it go. Let it GO! Embrace freedom. Do what you need to do to find alignment and reignite your fire.

Full Moon: March 20th-23rd

Key Words: Prosperity, Joy, Balance, Self-Love, Self-Value, Self-Respect, New Energy Flow, Shift, Equinox, Spring

The March full moon in Libra marks the third and final Super Moon of 2019. Each full moon of this new year has been a Super Moon, meaning that the full moon has coincided with the moon’s closest proximity to the Earth during its orbit. This closer proximity renders the moon’s appearance larger in the sky and the effects of its energy to be more strongly felt here on earth. It is a beautiful time for gathering and manifesting your dreams.

Spring Equinox and New Beginnings

What’s even more beautiful about this full moon is that it happens during the Spring Equinox on March 20th-21st. The Spring Equinox is marked by the sun moving into the constellation Aries, whereby we on earth experience equal hours of day and light. The Spring Equinox represents the beginning of the astrological year, with Aries being the first sign in the zodiac, so we are called to embrace new beginnings.

While many of us mark our successes and progress from year to year, instances such as the March Super Moon gift us with an opportunity to assess where we are in to date in 2019 and edit accordingly. If you don’t like the direction something has been going, now is an amazing time to change it as required. The change in seasons causes natural shifts in our internal energy flow and in our relationship to our environment and others. It is important to sit with ourselves so we can learn which direction our energy is naturally inclined to. This Super Moon reminds us it’s perfectly alright to cut something or someone out of your life that once served you but no longer adds value. Life is short, so make sure everything you can control in your experience is of complete value to you, or get rid it. Or in other words, “Mary Kondo” your life! If it doesn’t spark joy, eliminate it.

Balance and Prosperity

In the same vein, a Full Moon in Libra will shine a light on where we need to find balance in our lives. We will see with greater clarity the things in life that drain us and the things that inspire us. Listen closely to what your inner guidance system is telling you, as this full moon Super Moon aligns us with a potent energy flow that has the capacity to unleash amazing potential and new beginnings. Unlike other full moons in which we are invited to move forward in action towards our hopes and dreams, the March full moon in Libra actually calls us to turn our focus inwards. The action we are encouraged to take this full moon is embedded in tuning into our inner energy flow and igniting what sparks joy (there it is again!).

When we ignite the fires that inspire us, prosperity and abundance ensue. When we eliminate what drains us, we are rewarded in new and fulfilling ways. For example, if your work pays well but leaves you feeling empty, tired and unhappy, what good is the money and where do you spend it? Work and money is an energy exchange. You will have greater respect for the money you earn when it comes from joyous pursuits.

You Are Precious

This full moon will open a new portal of higher consciousness that we can tune into if we make the time and clear the noise. Access this portal of self-discovery and set intentions to put yourself first this spring. With this Super Moon, we are invited to step into a new energy flow, and to activate stronger feelings of self-value and self-love. Your life has strong value, but it is very short. Let this Full Moon remind you of life’s preciousness, and respect your time on Earth by devoting it to your personal pursuit of joy.