Mercury in Leo

Center of the Trifide Nebula

(photo credit: Hubble Space Telescope - NASA, Martin Pugh, Robert Gendler, January 2013)

Sometimes life’s parade of astrological sign posts reminds me of a stack. One after another, points enter or take station or become entangled in complicated metaphysical energy ‘pictures’ which emphasize a given sign.

That reminds me of a stack. It’s as if more and more ‘weight’ is being place in that quadrant of life. Or being put on the need to consider certain factors in the process of everyday doings.

At the moment, Leo seems to be center stage (a fact every Leo reading this probably responds to with either a hearty “of course!” or “it’s about time!”). We just had a Leo New Moon, we’re in our yearly solar month of Leo, dwarf planet Huya just went direct in Leo, Ceres and Vesta are in Leo…

…it’s just a Leo moment – into which comes Mercury, which will be entering Leo on August 8th at 12:14 in the afternoon, UT/+0 time. 

Considering Juno (which is conjunct Vaticana) is in opposition to Ceres as Mercury leaps in to join the Leo party, it’s already established that what is planned - or the planning out of a process with an eye to what it’s going to take (“cost”) to protecting not just our interests but everyone’s interests is important to whatever success or goal we’re aiming at during the next two weeks or so while Mercury zips through this Sun-ruled fixed and ‘high light’ sign.

Note please – I said high light…not highlighting, as in ‘focusing on one thing so as to get a response.’ High light, which here is that Leo quality of being drenched in an overall brightness – perhaps to the point of glare… that’s part and parcel of the total Leo quality. My Leo clients (and friends) are constantly confused by how ‘strong’ their simplest act or statement seems to be taken as.

It just is. Every sign has a relationship to ‘light’ (or visibility, if you prefer) and Leo’s tends to be stark and bluntly visible – sometimes to the point of discomfort (even to the Leo person!)…all of which has application now as Mercury moves into Leo.

Mercury in Leo can be a thoroughly creative, expansive and enjoyable time. It’s a combination which lends itself well to discoveries – whether that has to do with who we are, what we are capable of, or who others think we are (and what about us they think is of worth). As with all things Leo, the gap between our ‘hopes and dreams’ for the situation and the reality of life’s outcomes are the biggest challenge and problem – a quality which is reflective of Leo being a fire sign.

The vision, the glory, the beauty of all we hope for and dream of in our ‘Leo state’…whether it’s our hopes for the future, our ‘vision’ of what something or someone or some relationship or job is going to become (or lead to)…all those are life’s cosmic way of getting us to TRY.

And that’s all about Leo’s quality – it’s modality – as a fixed sign. It’s almost as if life tries to ‘lure’ us or assuage us with those hopeful images of happiness so that we’ll take on the task.

But then comes the reality of it.

The distance between the reality and the dream is Leo’s big stumbling block. It’s also a lesson in how (and why) dreams should be our motivation, not our measure of success. There are plenty of things which don’t turn out the way we expected they would which are just fine – even pretty fabulous! - if we just stop referencing that storybook plan we have in our head. Or soul.

Or wherever else you’re keeping it.

(Yes, we have expectations for all THOSE things too!)

And we shouldn’t think that Leo is just about us. Have you ever been in a situation where you suspected or out-and-out ‘knew’ that someone just had these high hopes for you, this image of you as perfect – and you knew you weren’t perfect? Parents often have this one for their children. And long do many of us labor under those parental expectations. Maybe they think we’ll be successful (in terms they define as success). Or maybe they expect us to grow up, get married and have kids – and we’re just not the settling down to have kids kind of person.

Leo represents the ‘dating’ period in all things, from relationships to our relationship to who we are and what we may yet become. And who hasn’t had some date (or envisioned some date) where they thought their Prince-or-Princess Charming was going to be ‘all that’ only to find out they’re regular mortal people who just might come down with the stomach flu?

Or who – in spite of looking good – might turn out to be a case of emotional stomach flu you catch and which thereafter gives you a really hard time in the…uh…end?

Venus in Mirrors by Nevit Dilmen (1999), which in this situation (Mercury entering Leo)

we are taking to be the 'reflection' of ourselves which may or may not be what we 

 want it to be...or what it really is.

Leo visions are meant to get us over the ‘hump’ of diving in…but they’re not so perfect as a lifestyle. Reality is the lifestyle and continuing to work towards improving our life is the Leo way of doing things.

Motivate. Be motivated. Work with what you have to make your world – and thus your life - a little better. These are all part of the Leo spirit of optimization.

So as Mercury enters Leo on August 8th at 12:14 p.m. (UT/+0 time) it will begin ‘evidencing’ more new facets of the Leo New Moon cycle which begins on August 6th (as this post it’s the digital airwaves) and which in having a full phase in late Aquarius (on August 21st) stresses not just our ability to make our way in the world but our ability to develop what we are in real time and on an everyday basis so that our functionality…our being is ever more of a contribution to life, to others, to this world.

To get there, considering the ongoing and sigh-worthy grand trine in water, we’re going to have to ‘agree’ to feel our feelings about all those things we don’t really want to have to confront – most of all in ourselves.

Like, ouch. Like…do I HAVE to?

(Answer: yes, we ALL have to!)

If you’ve been attending this ongoing evocative epic known as the Water Grand Trine, you know it began in early degrees with Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune – all of which are full-fledged planets. That one fact tells us that this is not nuance we’re going through – this is a ‘real deal’ evolutionary moment which is one part things we can’t quite define and certainly don’t control (Neptune) and two parts things we not only can work on but should work on (Jupiter and Saturn), both of which have personal and worldly sides.

In other words, life is now not just about what you’re doing and doing it well (and having a ‘vision’ for where you’re going) but facing the reality that who you are surrounding yourself with (or not surrounding yourself with) has everything to do with your success…or failure…or ultimate viability in your own life. Some of us will comprehend this. And some of those people will actually do something about it, switching things up so that their world is aligned with where they are going and what they are capable of becoming (you know, that ‘visionary Self’ or ‘vision of Self’?) as opposed to what they’re used to. Or what’s easy, comfy and – yes – accepted/acceptable to others.

This last gets to a big Leo focus: though what we are should be acceptable (grandiose-ness under Leo anything tends to get us knocked on our keester) but who we are should be unique. One of Leo’s big lessons is that people will not just accept you, they’ll admire you and be attracted to you if you accept the brilliance of potentiality which you have in your life.

We all have some…it’s just that many of us are terribly shy about accessing and ‘owning’ it at a manifested, incarnated level.

As the grand trine has now become two grand trines (Saturn-Neptune-Black Moon Lilith and Jupiter/Pallas-Chiron-North Node/Deucalion) our emotional drama deepens…thickens…becomes more universal, multi-lateral and potentially potent. we are asked to not just understand but accept and think through (Jupiter/Pallas) how what we really need to be (Chiron) isn’t (North Node/Deucalion) easy or necessarily comfortable.

 Call it a 'twist' on where we started into this process back in June-July...or just call it twisted. Or how you feel like you or your life is being twisted. But it is what we need to be and what we need to do… whatever strange (Chirotic) road that may lead us along… that’s what we need to do even though we feel all those tugs of (Saturn in Scorpio) fear about what we might be (Saturn-Neptune in Scorpio-and-Pisces) risking… and how others (Black Moon Lilith) might not like it or approve.

We need to be who we are. Despite what things ‘look like’ we need to rise above our own (Deucalion) trepidation to doing the thing which is spectacularly and righteously honest.

We need to accept our (Neptune in Pisces) Self, replete with glitches, fears and how all of life doesn’t match that dream (or dreamy) Leo image.

Part of why we have issues with Leo is because Leo is at the heart of what we might call the ‘individuation’ process. Leo asks that we use the achievements of others to realize that it does take investment of time, effort and dedication to get anywhere worthwhile… and that there are no ‘guarantees of success’ in this life. ‘Looking’ like a success or ‘fitting into an image’ (physical, financial, emotional or otherwise) is highly tempting in the Leo realm, and it’s highly tempted to think – especially during this August 8-23 Mercury-in-Leo passage that the ‘shiny’ appearance a.) means someone is shiny through and through…and b.) has any connection to viability. Plenty of people go around this world putting up a front or adopting a ‘look’ or working to ‘be’ this or ‘join’ that with the fervent (and very Leo) hope that by wearing the mask they will become the real deal.

This would be a time when many will try to do that. Mercury in Leo prompts such actions. It also can unmask them – or at least the impracticality or lack of real quality which prompts us to hold onto such things.

So as much as Mercury in Leo can be a fun time, it can also be a time of sobering revelations.

It can even be a time when we realize how much more potent our life stands become if we stop trying to be – or run (or hide) from others – and own up to the fact that the images or expectations others may have projected on us for their own Leo reasons (or which we may have projected for ourselves for our OWN) Leo reasons simply aren’t rational.

Or factual.

And how that’s probably not just okay, but the door to greater accomplishment… and personal happiness.
.
.
.

Deucalion, Jupiter, North Node and Pluto

Speaking strictly (and in UT/+0 time zone terms), the lunar North Node moves into 11 Scorpio late on August 7th. And there it conjuncts Deucalion.

For you orb-ists, this does indeed mean that the North Node has been within orb of Deucalion for quite some time now – since back in early April.

So what were you doing back in early April? That was back when Saturn was moseying through retrograde at about 9 Scorpio, having (as we’ve discussed a few times) done it’s own station at 11 Scorpio in mid-February.

Getting a feeling we’re getting a real 11 Scorpio workout this year? Um…I’d say so, yes. And I know there are plenty of people with vital focal points at 11 Scorpio – even close by – who are getting a heck of a workout.

(Full Disclosure: I know this in part because I’m on that ‘close by’ list.)

As long as we’re on this subject for the moment, the standard orb to 11 Scorpio would be 5 degrees either way. (And yes, there would be some particular harmonic effects for similar placements in Taurus, Aquarius and Leo.)

Let’s face it: it’s a fixed sign sort of year. Between the eclipses, the Moon’s nodes (personal and societal relationships and the world’s functionality as a set of relationships) and Saturn’s transit of Scorpio, life is pushing us to get past our sticking points (be they hesitancies or reluctance). The whole fixed sign cycle (Taurus-Leo-Scorpio-Aquarius) being about creating the functionality and teaching us to recognize that ‘no (hu)man is an island’ in this world…how ultimately our satisfaction is about developing the whole of our being – not just those parts which are easy.

Even sort of, kind of, were-it-only easy.

Ultimately the issue is the good old fashioned Taurus-2nd house thing: how to get to a point where were feel secure and satisfied with our life. Taurus (and whatever the sign is on your personal 2nd house) indicate both our resources and the ultimate aim of developing those resources – that being the security and satisfaction thing. Our starting point being at some level our talents, abilities, self respect and self worth, those are what we carry with us into the ‘earning’ arena (this would be earning not just money but that satisfaction/security thing)…which we develop through challenges in the process of developing our abilities and Self (the Leo thing), and meeting the challenges personal, emotional and societal (the former two being Scorpio and the latter being Aquarius) in achieving the ultimate goal.

You know…security and satisfaction.

In fact, seen in this light, the whole idea of earning a living (you know, the money thing) is merely a necessity foisted upon us so as to push us through this very process. Income (as a concept) is Aquarian. (Aquarian and 11th house, to be more exact and nit-picky-personal.)

But to get that income, we have to develop some ability. And to do that we have to have at least enough self worth and self respect to get ourselves out there and give it a go.

Most of us are into the whole developing, experimenting, having fun with finding-what-we-like (what fits us, what we’re good at) part of the process.

That would be the Leo bit.

But after that comes Scorpio. And hardly anyone likes the Scorpio deal. Scorpio requires that we risk whatever sense of accomplishment we’ve built up through our Leo process – be that the developing of a skill or the development of our dating skills or whatever else you may want to cite.

Like, ouch. Either we get sent back to ‘Go’ (without the proverbial number of dollars) or we end up finding out that we need to learn to integrate ourselves into a group by offering that which we are complete with our vulnerabilities. You know, the I might have more to learn here part.

Some of us are good at one thing, some are good at the other and from what this astrologer can tell (after several decades in the study) it does no better to approach others as the total naïf than as the Commander-in-Chief. (Unless of course, you happen to be a commander-in-chief! But even then there are going to be things you need to learn.)

So…getting back to the orb thing. Eclipses cycle backwards through the zodiac – which makes sense if you think about how eclipses (either solar or lunar) only happen when the New (solar) or Full (lunar) Moon is within 15 degrees of the lunar nodes…and the Nodes of the Moon cycle backwards. (It’s a lining-things-up sort of issue.) You may remember this concept as part of our ‘the Nodes are at the Cross-Quarter’ point a while ago. If not, here’s the link:

- link to -

The Lunar Nodes at Cross-Quarters

The illusion I drew there was that by counting ‘down’ through the degrees the Nodes – in part – represent the various things we encounter which “bring things home” to us.

So the Nodes ‘count down’ through the zodiac as the planets (asteroids, etc.) move forward (“up”) through the zodiac. This in itself is akin to the spin-counter spin of electrons.

Or should you not be into things tiny, the twin helix of DNA. Or the inhalation and exhalation of our breath, the ebb and flow of tides, the process of life and death as the plus and minus of renewal and growth.

As things are brought home to us, we ‘shed’ the old and outmoded, the thing which doesn’t work, the idea or social masks which is too inhibiting or to far of the mark of truth…and whether we go through trepidation or we simply struggle to free ourselves, there is a trial to be endured if we are to grow and purify our being.

That – at some level – is the heart and soul of Scorpio, no matter where or when or through what or whom we encounter it. Scorpio is the process of transforming ourselves or being transformed through recognition. Through emotional encounter. Through risking our sense of safety and security on the way to creating those bridges and alliances and successes which ultimately lead to true and lasting security and personal satisfaction.

Augusto De Luca - Photo 5 (abstract)

Imaged as “AN OFFICIAL EMBASSY BALL” in the Sabian Symbols, 11 Scorpio tests our sense of perspective through situational exposure which embodies growth and risk and a reflection on who we are to have ‘come to this place’ in our lives.

Or who we should be. Or maybe don't want to be, whether or not we need to be it anyway.

As a symbol of finding our way, TNO Deucalion asks that we rise above whatever sea of emotion which may be assailing us now – which considering that August 8th (the first full day of this Node/Deucalion conjunction) is also when Jupiter perfects its opposition to Pluto.

Considering that Jupiter represents everything about (and involved in) the metaphysical process of growing our understanding (generally through use) which in Cancer is all about basics and our most intrinsic feeling experiences, to have Jupiter in opposition to Pluto signals a time of testing or change – depending on how we all deal with growth. That Pluto is conjunct fixed star (nebula) Facies says there’s a lot of ‘moving pieces’ and complexities to the process so one wouldn’t expect this to be a one-and-done sort of thing.

Jupiter is also conjunct Alhena – the star of Purpose – which if we take it into account as part of the Whole being presented here would seem to be asking what’s our purpose as a human being? Or maybe what does it take to BE a good human being? Maybe this is about what you do, maybe this is about what you don’t do. Maybe this is about how you see others (particularly those you have been connected to or influenced by in the past) and moving through (“transforming”) your relationship to them or to something you learned through your relationship with them.

With Pallas Athena (dispassionate wisdom) being conjunct headstrong Phaethon at 10 degrees of Cancer is most likely to manifest as convictions – some of which will be opposed (Pluto) by societal forces (or others who consider themselves to be “in charge”) and some of which you will recognize you need to disregard in changing your status quo.

As of August 8th, the Sun will be passing through 15 Leo – another of the zodiacal cross-quarter points. This suggests a ‘developing’ aspect of something which asks whether you are willing (yet) to move on. To take a ‘next step.’ To let go of whatever ‘has been’ your standard in the process of accepting and taking on a new growth phase.

The North Node will be at 11 Scorpio and in conjunction with Deucalion through August 18th. And since 11 Scorpio is the degree of the upcoming November 3rd Solar Eclipse…and because that means that the two-month period during which facets of your life which are no longer useful or authentic enough will begin ‘breaking down’ in (advance of said Solar Eclipse) come early September, this Deucalion-North Node conjunction would seem to be an opportunity to ‘get ahead of the flow.’ As in all things, astrology teaches that if and where we purposefully use the energy (which is going to be there regardless) there is less likelihood that the energy will come back to haunt us.

Or, to put it in the immortal words of honcho astrologer Rob Hand: use the energy wisely, lest it use YOU unwisely. 

Balls of World by Anastasiya Markovich (2008)

There is likely to be a desire to do what we want the way that we want to do it now, yes. (There generally is.) The North Node always being representative of that which we don’t really want to have to do (but which we need to do anyway), to have it combining with Deucalion is asking us to not see things as we might want to see them, but to see them in reality and through the lens of fact.

In case you’re interested, Saturn will be hitting this 11 Scorpio point in mid-October. Prior to that – call it September 16th – Saturn will have it’s own little encounter with the North Node. Again for the orb-ists among us, Saturn and the lunar North Node will come into 5-degree orb of conjunction as of August 15th, which yes, is during our North Node/Deucalion window of process.

Saturn being about responsibilities and long-term dedication, with the Nodes conjunct Deucalion, this is a grand testing period (and a grandly testing period) which is both about who and what we are in the world and who we are to others.

And who they are to us.

Not to make this simple or anything, there is also the not-so-little ‘little matter’ of the ongoing grand trine in water, too. Originally composed of Jupiter-Saturn-Neptune which added a little ‘dissolving of our defenses’ to the mix), Jupiter’s having moved on through Cancer has shifted this period of epic feeling-ness into a new mode which is composed of Jupiter in Cancer (emotional growth/growth which tests emotions), Saturn in Scorpio (valuing interactions, values learned through interactions and interactive values) and Chiron retrograde in Pisces (challenging ourselves to take on that thing we really don’t know how to do and which probably freaks us out to the max).

Many among us will simply say ‘this too shall pass.’ And they’re right. But what we do now would seem to be setting the table for what life will serve up next.
.
.
.