What is Mercury? For those that do not have an astrological language, Mercury represents our understanding of life. He is the planet of education, communication, discussion, documents, papers, television, radio and the information you search for on the internet. In Greek Mythology, he is known as Hermes the swift footed communication God and the protector of commerce and industry. Unlike the other planets, Mercury is rather unique by appearing to move backwards 3-4X per year. The retrogradation process is notorious for causing problems with communication, technical problems, plan hassles, and it is not wise to begin anything new or make vast changes during this period.

The Greek Hermes was a two-fold deity as astrological Mercury rules the two signs of Gemini and Virgo. On one hand, Hermes (Mercury) is the messenger of the God’s and the God of crossroads (periods in our life, where we do not know what decisions to make?) and mental connections. He appears in our lives when we suddenly understand something with new clarity and new comprehension. However, Hermes was one of the few deities (along with Hecate and Persephone) that were allowed to traverse the boundaries between the upper world (consciousness) and the underworld (unconsciousness). In his underworld guise, he serves two primary functions. He ushers the souls of the dead down to their final resting place, and in a few instances used necromancy to bring the souls of the dead back to the land of the living. His role of the psycho-pomp, I believe gives us the deepest understanding of Mercury Rx.

In astrology, we can take Mercury’s passage through the zodiac as a cyclical period. Every so often, Mercury turns around and moves the other direction creating a more introverted tone to the mainly extroverted planet. Since I believe astrology is instructional, Mercury sends us a message that we need to turn “inward” and review the past period of direct motion. (To an extent, I believe all the planets when they go retrograde urge us to reflect on certain areas of our lives colored by the sign the planet goes retrograde in) Mercury’s last direct motion was from May 30, 2009 – September 5, 2009.

Activity 1: Get out a piece of paper. Write down the events and circumstances that you have found meaningful or distressful from May 30, 2009 – September 5, 2009. Explore as many areas as you can. Take a look at the significant areas of your life – financial, professional, and relationships, and write down how you feel about these particular areas. What did you experience? Once you are done writing, fold up the paper and continue reading.

Another tool we can use to amplify Mercury Rx is through the tarot Major Arcana card of Judgement. One of the best decks that I have seen that conveys the deepest layers of the Judgement card is the Mythic Tarot. The card makes use of Hermes role as the psycho-pomp, at what appears to be the entrance to the underworld (unconscious). Beneath him are the sarcophagi with three mummified figures reaching up towards Hermes. Many astrologers consider Mercury Rx to be a time where unresolved issues from the past come back to be resolved. Likewise, I believe the Judgement card represents rewards for past efforts, and a deep understanding that we ourselves “create” our own future through the actions and decisions that we make in life. In many ways, we truly ‘reap what we sew’.

Taking ownership of our current circumstances is a powerful healing mechanism. It allows us to take control of our lives, and provides us with the opportunity to make better choices and decisions that create our future. Mercury Rx can provide us a cyclical period to examine our past actions, behaviors, upsets and joys and understand the deeper side of our personality. We may find parts of ourselves that may need improvement, parts we need to work on, and parts we really like. We can use this time to make great inner change! Looking at the Judgment card once again, we can visualize the mummified rags on the corpses as symbols for the parts of our lives we would like to change. Underneath those rags of the past, might be the butterflies for our future tomorrow.

Activity 2:

Take a look at the figure of the Judgement card for a few moments. Now close your eyes. Imagine yourself in the room with Hermes. Talk to him and ask him for assistance in helping you understand the aspects of your life that you would like to change. Take note of any feelings or messages that you may have received.

Activity 3:

Take out your piece of paper in Activity 1. Re-read it and make note of how you feel about the past few months. What do you believe you need to change? Print up the black and white version of the Judgement card. Now, get out a pack of crayons or colored pencils and color in the figure of the Judgment card. Use any colors that you wish to reflect your current situation, and the events of the past few months. Use the three figures in the sarcophagi to reflect areas of your life that you have new insight about, or wish to change. Take a look at the figure you have created. Close your eyes. Imagine yourself in the room with Hermes. Talk to him and ask him for assistance in helping you make the changes that you need to make in your life. Ask Hermes to provide you with the information necessary or tools he can provide you with to assist you in your tasks. Take note of any feelings or messages that you may have received.

]]> http://www.psychicfriendslive.com/whats-new/2009/09/09/mercury-rx-the-healing-power-of-mercury/200/feed 0 http://www.psychicfriendslive.com/astrology/2009/01/27/eclipses-mercury-and-the-pharaoh/78 http://www.psychicfriendslive.com/astrology/2009/01/27/eclipses-mercury-and-the-pharaoh/78#comments Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:46:16 +0000 Storm http://www.psychicfriendslive.com/?p=78 Astrology and Kabbalah are perfect bedfellows.  Each week, I am amazed at how the Kabbalistic energy aligns perfectly with astrological transits.  This week we experience the first of 6 eclipses of 2009.   Despite our modern ideals, customs, and intellectual sophistication eclipses still evoke fear and trepidation.  However, for “most” people the eclipse will be a mild annoyance and uneventful.   However, to add insult to injury, we are still within the grips of Mercury retrograde.

Why all the fear?  Most of us have gone through life regretting something that we have done or said.  Whether that was a breakup, argument with friends, or altercations with those we perceive are against us.  We go through life with a “karmic” bank account, and most of us are in deficit spending.  In fact, according to Kabbalah every negative action or action done with negative (usually desire to receive for the self alone) intent accrues debt.  Sooner or later we must be to a -0- balance and astrological transits, whether planetary or eclipses often provide us with opportunities/events to learn lessons to move us past our karma.   

This weeks Kabbalistic portion is called Bo.   The portion itself is about removing negative experiences in our life that prevent us from achieving spiritual growth and/or consciousness.  Kabbalah reveals that the only way to achieve this is by connecting to the Light (Sun), which is a metaphor for self awareness.   However, the most important message out of the portion involves astrology.  

In this portion, Pharaoh’s advisors tell him to release the Israelites.   Pharaoh asks Moses who should be released and Moses replies that all the Israelites must be set free.  Pharaoh then informs Moses that his astrologers have informed him that negative planetary energies were against them.   Moses still instructs Pharaoh to release them all, despite the challenges that the Israelites may face.   Moses, does not doubt the astrology (and considering they wandered around the desert for 40 years, Pharaoh may have had a point), but he makes the choice to face it and go through it.

What does this story tell us?   The planetary energy that was upon Moses was a planet called, “Ra’ah”.   There is very little information provides as to which of the 7 visible planets “Ra’ah” refers to.  However, the term is Hebrew means “to perceive”.   However, if you look at the story with an astrological eye, it is clear that Ra’ah refers to Mercury in retrograde status.  (The Israelites wish to return (Mercury) to Israel and Pharaoh warns them not to travel (Mercury Rx)   Moreover, the story is clear that despite the astrological conditions that are upon us we must work with them rather than running away from them.   We can achieve this by understanding the energies in our own charts, and how planetary energies are affecting us.  

On the astrological level eclipses and Mercury retrograde occur often and with frequency.  They are not excuses for not living our lives, and making choices to not experience opportunities as a result of their presence.   We need to remember that you cannot add anything to the chart that is not already in the natal horoscope.  Although the houses that eclipses and Mercury Rx land are often highlighted, if there are no planets that are in aspect, then there is no energy for manifestation.  However, if the eclipse or Mercury Rx hit upon a major planet, configuration, or sensitive point within the chart then you may find the areas ruled by these planets activated for good or for ill.

This week we have a unique opportunity to rise above negative influence.  The more we are aware of ourselves and understand our natural rhythms the more power we have to utilize the productive energy available in each transit.   Eclipses and Mercury Rx are what they are, and are not inherently good or bad, negative or positive, benefic or malefic.   They instruct us to know ourselves!   Are you up to finding out who you really are?

Every time Mercury goes retrograde, I am amazed at the amount of panic that pervades the masses.   People scatter in a whirlwind of cancelling plans, checking electronic devices, and worry about potential trips and impending loss of luggage.  I find it quite infectious, as even “I” recently cancelled a project of mine when I realized it began after the trickster decided to change motion.  Needless to say,  “The Big Bad Wolf,” is back!

Since the purpose of my Synergy columns is to enrich our lives and make the most of the energy available to us, I am going to “attempt” to describe Mercury retrogrades constructive meaning and how we can use this period for our greater good, rather than being controlled by its distractions.    Mercury begins its retrograde trek at 07 Aquarius and will travel all the way back to 21 Capricorn, which is where he was located on Christmas Day.  This is known as the shadow period or a precursor of what is time come.  Usually the themes that are invoked during Mercury retrograde will begin to make their appearances during this period.  Take some time to analyze what was going on during the holidays and if any themes kept reoccurring.

In its most productive use, the key word to use during Mercury Retrograde is reflection.   We can use the particular energy that is available to us now to take a deeper look at our lives.   We can make mental (Mercury) notes (Mercury) about where we see ourselves and what path we wish to take in the future.  What changes have you considered making, but have put off?    Is there any direction you would like to see your life head in?   Anything you wish to pursue?   The retrograde period is a time for thinking and deep “inner” analysis, but NOT a period of action.  We can begin to act on our reflections when Mercury moves out of its 2^nd shadow period on February 22^nd.

Finally, we all need a period in our lives where we can quiet our minds, and ask ourselves serious questions about our place in the world.  Mercury Retrograde provides us the opportunity to achieve this.  Considering Mercury Retrogrades 3-4X per year implies how important it is for us to “slow down” as the demands of life seem to make us busier and busier.    I will not promise that your toaster will not break, or unexpected car repairs will not occur.  I can’t even promise you that your luggage will be found after it is misplaced at the airport.  However, I can promise that taking the time to use Mercury Retrograde in a positive and healthy manner will help you begin “Enjoying Everyday Life”.