Feeling a little cuckoo this summer?

Cuckoo...cuckoo...

This Summer is full of interesting planetary and cosmic body movements.  You may be feeling the effects of it and not even be aware of why you are feeling the way you do!  

We have 6 total retrograde planets happening this Summer!  Some people refer to this as a 'retrograde storm.'  This has only happened twice over the last century-once in the 1940's and again in the 1980's.  Retrograde storms happen when there are a group of planets that go retrograde all around the same time.  What does 'retrograde' mean?  A 'retrograde' planet is actually an optical illusion.  A planet will appear to be moving backward during retrograde.  Astrologist Kathy Biehl describes it best, in my opinion.  Here is what she says about explaining a retrograde planet: 

     "A retrograde is an optical illusion. It’s the same optical illusion that occurs when cars are whizzing around a racetrack in different lanes. When a car on an inside lane passes a slower one in an outer lane, the cars will appear to “retrograde” to one another. Same with planets. When a faster-moving planet on an inside lane (aka orbit), catches up to and passes a slower-moving planet on an outside lane, observers on both planets would see the other planet as retrograde." 

No doubt, you've heard people talk about Mercury retrograde and making a big deal about it.  Every planet goes retrograde at some point-except the Moon, which is not actually a planet, but is referred to one in Astrology for the sake of discussion.  During a retrograde, the Earth will be the closest to that planet that it can get.  The Earth being on the 'inside lane' of the orbits, with the outer planets on the outside lane-they are the closest in orbit as they will get during their retrograde time.  One to three retrogrades at a time is pretty normal, this Summer we have SIX planets going retrograde around the same time. 

So, if a retrograde Planet appears to be moving backward, why does that affect us?  Energetically, it means we may be backtracking as well.  Often, we see situations arise, or people appear from our past-or to help us heal situations.  This also means that we are trying to 'pull out' shadow stuff that needs work.  All of those pieces and parts of yourself that you don't really love-they may make an appearance this Summer to help you accept and embody them.  It's time to reevaluate and revisit some things that you may have been stuffing down or trying to avoid.  Understand that it all happens to help you move forward and to help you heal wounds that are still raw.  It can be challenging at times, but it you shouldn't be fearful of retrogrades. 

There's a lot of information out there that has a very negative voice when it comes to the cosmos this Summer.  The retrogrades started earlier this year, when Jupiter went retrograde in March, followed closely by Saturn and Pluto.  In June, we added Mars to the retrogrades.  This month we add Mercury and Neptune, while Jupiter comes out of it's retrograde.  In August, we will have Mercury, Mars, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto in retrograde.  Later in the month-Mercury and Mars will come out of their retrogrades.  Adding to that, Chiron-which is a comet we examine in Astrology, also went retrograde in July.  Saturn comes out of retrograde in September, and Pluto does in October-right before Venus goes into retrograde.

What does all of this mean for us?  It can feel very chaotic right now.  Emotions may be high-especially agitation and annoyance.  Mars is the planet of initiation and drive, but also high-tempers.  Give yourself time to respond to situations instead of reacting.  Deep breaths, some sips of water and a little break from the action can all help you reset.  Turn your high temper into productivity with exercise or finishing a task.  This is a good time to get your life in order.  Saturn is trying to create order and organization right now.  Try not to push situations or make things happen that you feel you are hitting up against a wall on.  There's usually a reason it's not supposed to move forward.  With Mercury in retrograde from July 26th-August 19th, try not to solidify any agreements, contracts or create new businesses.  This is a great time to complete 'old' work or to finish a project that has been hanging around.  With Jupiter retrograde, it's a wonderful time to focus on personal growth and development.  As I type this, Jupiter has already gone direct and out of retrograde, but that doesn't mean you aren't still feeling the effects.  With the outer planets (Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, Pluto, Neptune) the affects that they have on us may not be felt quite as strongly as the planets closer to our orbit of Earth.  They typically work to create change inwardly for us during retrogrades.  Venus, Mars and Mercury tend to have a more dynamic affect on us individually, and as a collective.  Venus retrograde may challenge what you think you want out of life.  It may also bring up old relationships, or people from those relationships into your life.  It challenges us to define what we want out of life and what we value in relationships.

On top of the retrogrades happening, we are also in Eclipse season.  We had a partial solar eclipse, a full lunar eclipse (this Friday, July 27th-with the full moon), and another partial solar eclipse to follow.  The first partial solar eclipse happened on July 13th in the sign of Cancer.  If you remember things being very emotional, confusing and irritating around that time-it fits.  The full lunar eclipse coming is in Aquarius.  Aquarius loves to do work for the greater good, the collective, so if you feel yourself being emotionally charged for the sake of others, it fits.  The next partial solar eclipse happens on August 11th, and what you may experience around that time is the culmination of events coming to an end, or even a very new venture that you've been tossing around in your head for awhile with no clear decision on.  Aquarius likes to create the energy to make concise and actionable decisions. 

None of what we are experiencing this Summer/Fall is happening to us, it is happening for us.  Cue the eye roll!  It's a true statement.  Another thing to consider is how these retrogrades, eclipses, etc are impacting you truly can't be discovered until you look at your natal chart and understand what influences are held there.  Every time I look at a natal chart, or check progression or transits for a client-even if what I see might be considered challenging, I still see it as positive in one way or another.  It usually signifies that shifts are needed in order to project someone out of a state of stillness, or to improve an area in their life that they just haven't put attention on, or haven't wanted to put attention on.  When we learn to work with the energies of the planets, signs and astrological bodies, everything gets a little clearer and less chaotic. 

If you've been feeling a little cuckoo...know that it won't last forever.  It will end!  But, what I would encourage you to ask yourself is, "what am I supposed to be learning right now?"  Each situation that you encounter that feels very 'out-of control,' chaotic, frustrating, uncertain or hopeless, just take a moment to breathe and reset.  Walk away from situations that feel unfavorably charged or tumultuous, keep your opinions to yourself in certain situations and speak your truth in other situations.  Only you can determine when your voice needs to be heard or silenced.  Being in tune with your inner self will help with that. We won't just be experiencing this in our individual lives, there's a lot of transitioning and transformation going on in the collective.  World wide we are seeing the effects of these retrogrades.  Lots of political unrest and arguing, disagreements on boundaries (borders) and human interest stories that are sparking lots of support and want for change.  Remember to lead from the heart, to always try to see the other side of the story, understand that the media is only reporting small parts of a bigger story and give grace where it is needed.  You can be a warrior, but do it with the intention of love. 

If you are interested in learning about how the retrogrades could be impacting you personally and on a deeper level, contact me to set up a Natal chart reading.  We look at the planets at your time of birth, as well as where they are now and how they are influencing you on a spiritual, emotional and physical level.  Initial Astrology sessions are still on special through the end of the Summer!  I wanted to keep the cost down during these challenging times to make it more accessible to my clients. 

If you are interested in learning more about Astrology, I recommend two phone apps that are helpful.  One is Sky View Lite, you can hold your phone up to the night sky and it will tell you what you are looking at.  Another is Co-Star, this app will tell you about the transits you are currently experiencing from the information from your birth information.  A website that is full of information for the beginner is www.astro.com.  You can even generate your own birth chart to start understanding it better.  Happy Learning!   

Love and Light~
​Mandi