Asteroid Cupido moves from calm Taurus to active Gemini on August 1st 2024, and stays until March 30th 2025, an extended time thanks to a retrograde period in Gemini. What is the impact of this transit on us? P.S. Make sure you're signed up for the free monthly worksheet so you can keep track of Cupido every month! What is Cupido in astrology?
Cupido is an asteroid in astrology, and rules crushes and infatuation. The Zodiac sign and house location in your natal chart of your natal Cupido can show how you are when crushing or infatuated, and what you can be infatuated with (not just people!). It's the early part of relationships.
You can find your natal asteroid Cupido location for free using astro.com (in Extended Chart Selection, click on 'Additional objects', and add number '763' to the 'Manual entry' box, and generate your chart). In transit, Cupido can show how you're experiencing crushes at the moment, and where you may be infatuated in life. Cupido in Gemini 2024 - 2025
Cupido is Gemini speeds things up after a slow burn in Taurus, but while it's active, it can be more mind-based in Gemini. We may think more about our crushes, and can become mentally enthralled. We may quickly form crushes, and have many of them all at once, though it may be two at a time that prevails since Gemini is the Twins.
Beyond crushes, we can also be more passionate about our ideas and plans, and we can throw ourselves into them. We can get wrapped up, and are extra passionate about our opinions, thoughts, and ideas. Communications can become more passionate as well, more heated, and we have to make sure it's flowing well. This is super strong when Cupido is conjunct (aligned with) transit (moving) Jupiter on September 18th 2024 at 20 degrees Gemini. Jupiter is the planet of expansion, so it expands on this energy. Since Jupiter is the happy planet, this can be beneficial, for the most part, if we don't let it spiral out of control. But Cupido retrogrades (appears to move backward) from October 31st 2024 to January 20th 2025, entirely in Gemini. This can be a period where we struggle with our crushes and what we're obsessed with, taking things too far, or not having enough passion to begin with. We have to work on mental blocks and work on talking things out. The start of the retrograde is square (challenging aspect) Neptune, while the end is square Saturn, with both in Pisces. Neptune is the foggy planet, so we may struggle with seeing things clearly and fully understanding what isn't working and needs to be fixed. Saturn is the teacher, so we may come out of the retrograde needing to learn important lessons with our passionate energy. The start occurs at 28 degrees 32 minutes Gemini, while the end occurs at 14 degrees 44 minutes Gemini. Cupido in Gemini only makes one other conjunction, and that's to fellow love asteroid Amor, the asteroid of romance. Cupido conjuncts Amor on November 30th 2024 at 24 degrees, with both asteroids retrograde. In fact, Amor turns retrograde just 2 days before Cupido does, and in Gemini (29 degrees). Romantic love and affection as well as crushes and infatuations can have some challenges to work through, and we likely need to approach them in a different way with both asteroids retrograde. We may also see a lot of people getting back together, especially reconnecting with people you went to school with or that were in your neighborhood (ruled by Gemini). Asteroid Cupido in Gemini for the Zodiac Signs:
Aries: You can be passionate about your ideas and plans with Cupido in Gemini, and you can be passionate in your communications with others as well. While retrograde, you may need to work on improving communication and expression, and it could be a good time to pick back up an old idea or plan.
Taurus: You may take a slow, steady approach to what you're passionate about with Cupido in Gemini, and can be loyal once you dedicate yourself to something or someone. While retrograde, you may want to reconnect with ways that made you feel more confident and secure in the past, and work to ground yourself. Gemini: With Cupido moving to your sign, you can be more passionate, intense, and easily enthralled, and others can be more attracted to you. While retrograde, this can bring out issues around your crushes, your passionate energy, and what you get obsessed with, and you can work through them. It can also be good for reconnecting with old passions. Cancer: You may prefer to focus on what you're passionate about on your own with Cupido in Gemini, and you can have more energy and intensity alone to focus on it. While retrograde, you may need to work on past issues and work on releasing baggage that is getting in the way of you channeling your passionate energy now. Leo: You can channel passionate energy in different ways with Cupido in Gemini, and you can be more passionate about your dreams for the future and changes you want to make. While retrograde, you may need to work on issues that have held you back and kept you stuck in place. It can be a good time to reconnect with an old friend or group. Virgo: You may be extra passionate about your goals and ambitions with Cupido in Gemini, and you can throw yourself into your long-term plans for success. While retrograde, you may struggle with progress, and need to work on removing blocks to your path. It can be a good time to pick back up an old goal. Libra: You can be passionate with your beliefs with Cupido in Gemini, and you can get obsessed with new experiences you can learn from. While retrograde, you may need to work on issues that are keeping you from having the space you desire. It can be a good time to revisit somewhere you've been before, relearn something, or have an experience over again. Scorpio: You can be more passionate in general with Cupido in Gemini, though this can be strongest with transformations and anything that you have to investigate. While retrograde, you likely need to work to get to the heart of an issue that has been festering deep inside, and you can work to solve and transform and move forward. Sagittarius: You can be more passionate with others while Cupido is in Gemini, and you can attract more passionate people to you as well. While retrograde, commitment issues and old relationship baggage may come forward, and you can work through them. It can be a good time to reconnect with someone you were once passionate about. Capricorn: You may find more passion for your daily life and work with Cupido in Gemini, and you can focus on trying to get work done, or may focus on projects you're most obsessed with. While retrograde, you may need to work on little things that have gotten in the way of you having the passionate life you want. It can be a good time to pick back up an old project. Aquarius: You can be extra creative with Cupido in Gemini, and you can be more passionate about your creative energy, as well as about love in general, both who and what you love. While retrograde, you may need to work through old love issues, blocks to inspiration, and reconnect with your heart. Pisces: You may be more passionate emotionally with Cupido in Gemini, and you can also become more enthralled with your support system, and home and family matters. While retrograde, you may need to dig into emotional issues and work to move forward from old emotional baggage. It can be a good time to strengthen your internal foundation. Suggested Reading: Transit Asteroid Cupido in the Houses & Aspects Astrology has rulers for just about everything, including money! There are various rulers for money, and various ways money can be impacted astrologically. Planetary Rulers of Money
The planetary rulers for money are Venus, Pluto, and Ceres. Venus and Ceres rule your own money, the money you make yourself, the money you spend yourself, while Pluto rules money that involves other people. Pluto money matters include joint finances, business finances and business partnerships, debts, loans, mortgages, inheritances, and legacy finances.
The sign and house location of Venus, Pluto, and Ceres in your natal chart can show how you approach these money matters, and where money matters are more prevalent, as well as how you make money and where you spend it most. Aspects that they make to the other planets can have an impact on money in your life. House Rulers of Money
The houses that rule money are the 2nd house and the 8th house. The 2nd house connects naturally with Venus and Ceres, so this is your own money, while the 8th house connects naturally with Pluto, so this is money involving others.
The sign each house falls in can show how you are with these money matters, and if you have any natal planets in these houses, those planets can be significant for money in your life, and how you get money may tie directly into them. The planetary rulers of the signs these two houses fall in can also directly impact money in your life. Transits and Money
Transits can impact money as well, but in a temporary way for as long as they are in effect, rather than one impacting your whole life like with your natal placements. Transit planets can tour your 2nd house and impact your ability to make and spend money and how you approach money in general, while transit planets touring your 8th house can impact money that involves others in your life. You can make important financial decisions, make financial arrangements, start new jobs, or enter into new financial partnerships.
Transit planets can also make aspects to your natal bodies, so when the transit planets aspect your natal 2nd and 8th house cusps, or natal 2nd house or 8th house rulers, or natal Venus, Pluto, or Ceres, these can all impact money in your life. Sextiles and trines are considered beneficial aspects, so under these aspects, you can experience positive developments with money matters. Squares and oppositions are considered challenging aspects, so under these aspects, you can experience difficult money developments. Investments might not pay off, old debts catch up to you, someone can betray you financially, or you may just have less than you feel you need. Conjunctions can be beneficial if joined with other beneficial aspects or challenging if joined by other challenging aspects, and can also depend on the transit planet making the conjunction. The Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter tend to be positive, while Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto can become challenging. Mars supercharges either way. Progressions and Money
Then there is the progressed chart, which adds one day to your date of birth for every year you've been alive to create a new chart reflecting your maturation and growth. The progressed chart can also be used in predictive analysis. When your progressed Venus or Ceres change signs, or move into a new natal or progressed house, this can show a significant shift for money in your life, and can often trigger a major job change or sudden money developments.
Major aspects by progressed Venus or Ceres to your natal or progressed bodies can also impact money in your life, and conjunctions, sextiles, and trines tend to show positive developments while square and oppositions may indicate challenges to work through. The progressed Moon is the fastest of the progressed planets, and spends about 2 1/2 years in each sign or house. When your progressed Moon is in your natal 2nd or 8th houses, and aspects your natal Venus, Ceres, or Pluto, this can impact money in your life. You can also give greater attention to money matters when your progressed Moon is in Taurus or Scorpio, the two signs that rule money. Taurus connects with Venus and Ceres so it rules your own money, while Scorpio connects with Pluto so it rules money involving others. Asteroids and Money
One more addition: asteroids! There are over 20,000 asteroids, and some connect with money. A few I like to follow are asteroids Mony (literal asteroid of money), Banks (money management), and Makemake (money manifestation). You can look up their natal planets in your natal chart, track their transits, and see what they're doing in your progressed chart for further money insights.
Suggested Reading: Jupiter-Pluto & Wealth An aspect in astrology is when two planets or bodies are at certain distances from one another in the Zodiac. There are 30 degrees per sign and 360 degrees for the entire Zodiac (12 x 30 = 360), and certain distances by degree are certain aspects. Aspects are split up between major and minor, and two of the minor aspects are the semisextile and the quincunx. While they are technically considered minor aspects, they're more like in between major and minor, so they tend to be used more than the other minor aspects. The semisextile occurs when two bodies are 30 degrees apart, so they are about one whole Zodiac sign apart. The quincunx (also called the inconjunct) occurs when two bodies are 150 degrees apart, so they are about five whole Zodiac signs apart. Semisextiles are considered beneficial, but require a lot more work than sextiles and trines, otherwise they can go away without much fanfare. Quincunxes are considered challenging, and require much more flexibility than squares and oppositions, and can be a little more unpredictable. Semisextiles are BENEFICIAL STRONG EFFORT, and quincunxes are ERRATIC FRICTION. Semisextiles and Quincunxes in the Natal Chart
Semisextiles and quincunxes in the natal chart are usually given small orbs of influence because they are technically minor aspects. They're generally given no more than 4-6 degrees, and many will only use 2-4 degrees.
Your natal chart is a snapshot of the location in the Zodiac of the planets and other bodies at the exact moment you were born and from the location you were born at. The natal chart reflects your personality and all parts of your life. Planets or bodies that are semisextile in the natal chart offer an opportunity for benefit, but this does require a lot of effort. This can show areas where you have to put in hard work and be smart, but it can pay off in the end. Planets or bodies that are quincunx in the natal chart can struggle to have any understanding with each other. Giving each room in their own way without letting it become erratic is important to manifest. Semisextiles and Quincunxes in Transit
The transit, or moving, planets and other bodies can semisextile or tquincunx one another, and when they do, this can give us an opportunity to benefit from hard work with the semisextile, or we may experience unpredictable challenges with the quincunx.
We can all experience this individually with the areas of life ruled by the houses in your natal chart the two transit bodies are located while making the semisextile or quincunx. Whatever those two houses rule can offer an opportunity for hard work that pays off with the semisextile, or they may have unexpected issues with each other with the quincunx. Whenever the slower planets (Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, or Pluto) are semisextile or quincunx each other, this can impact the world as a whole. We can work hard with the semisextile at something collectively, or we may collectively experience erratic energy with the quincunx. Transit Planets Semisextile or Quincunx Natal Planets
The transit planets can make aspects to your natal planets and bodies, and when they are 30 degrees away, they are semisextile, and when they are 150 degrees away, they are quincunx. This brings beneficial energy for work with the semisextile, or unpredictable challenges with the quincunx, from the transit planet to whatever is ruled by the natal planet or body.
Semisextiles by the transit planets or bodies to our natal Sun or Moon can provide opportunities to work hard and explore new projects, but we have to put in the effort, otherwise it can pass us by without noticing it. Quincunxes by the transit planets or bodies to our natal Sun or Moon can bring some unexpected developments, erratic energy, and we have to be quick to adjust. Transit planets and bodies semisextile or quincunx natal Mercury impact our ideas, expression, and outlook; semisextile or quincunx natal Venus, impact our relationships and connections; semisextile or quincunx natal Mars, impact what we're taking initiative with and how; semisextile or quincunx natal Ceres, impact our resources and support; semisextile or quincunx natal Jupiter, impact our opportunities and experiences; semisextile or quincunx natal Saturn, impact our goals, direction, and lessons; semisextile or quincunx natal Uranus, impact changes we're making and our dreams; semisextile or quincunx natal Neptune, impact our intuitive and creativity; semisextile or quincunx natal Pluto, impact our personal power and control; and semisextile or quincunx natal Chiron, impact our healing and wounds. P.S. Make sure you're signed up for the free monthly worksheet so you can keep track of the planets every month and know what they're doing! Semisextiles and Quincunxes and Progressions and Returns
Your progressed chart adds one day to your date of birth for every year you've been alive to create a new chart reflective of your maturation and growth. Progressed planets and bodies move through the Zodiac, but at a very slow pace, so it can be significant when they make an exact semisextile or quincunx to something in the progressed chart or in your natal chart.
This can trigger helpful energy for hard work with a semisextile, and challenging energy that requires you to stay on your ties with the quincunx. Because they are minor aspects, they're impact isn't as long as when it's major aspects. A return occurs when a transit planet or body returns to the exact position it was at when you were born, so when it conjuncts itself in your natal chart. Returns tend to be very important when they occur for whatever that planet or body rules, and we can experience events directly related to it. Close semisextiles to the Return planet in the Return Chart can show helpful energy for whatever the planet rules for however long the chart is in play, while close quincunxes can show erratic energy needing to be adjusted to. Suggested Reading: All About the First House in Astrology Astrology has something called aspects, and an aspect is when two planets or bodies are at certain distances from one another in the Zodiac. There are 360 degrees in the entire Zodiac, 30 degrees per sign (12 x 30 = 360), and certain distances by degree are certain aspects. Aspects are split up between major and minor, and two of the major aspects are the square and opposition. The square occurs when two bodies are 90 degrees apart, so they are about three whole Zodiac signs apart. The opposition occurs when two bodies are 180 degrees apart, which is about six whole Zodiac signs, and they're in the exact opposite spots. Both Squares and oppositions are considered challenging aspects, with squares being internal friction and oppositions being external friction. Squares are INTERNAL FRICTION, and oppositions are EXTERNAL FRICTION. Squares and Oppositions in the Natal Chart
Squares and oppositions in the natal chart can be given an 8-10 degrees orb of influence, so they're usually on the larger side for orbs. This is because they are challenging aspects and have a lot more energy, which makes them stronger.
Your natal chart is a snapshot of the location in the Zodiac of the planets and other bodies at the exact moment you were born and from the location you were born at. The natal chart reflects your personality and all parts of your life. Planets or bodies that are square or opposite in the natal chart can be at odds with each other. One may try to overtake the other, and don't play with each other very well. They often show areas where you have work to do on yourself, lessons to learn in life, and where you have to be smarter. The work can be internal with squares, while oppositions may feel out of your control and require more flexibility. Oppositions can ping pong between each other, so balancing their energies is often needed. Squares become internalized, and you usually have to work on issues that are more deeply embedded. Squares and Oppositions in Transit
The transit, or moving, planets and other bodies can square or oppose one another, and when they do, this means they're not working so hot together. They can be at odds with each other, and this means we all have issues that we're having to confront at once. This can indicate challenges in the world at large, and we can be more prone to conflict.
This can play out for you personally with the areas of life ruled by the houses in your natal chart the two transit bodies are located while making the square or opposition. Whatever those two houses rule can struggle with one another, and may require more effort from you. Whenever the slower planets (Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, or Pluto) are square or opposite each other, this can show difficulties in the world, and we can feel restricted, have hard lessons, see unexpected developments, feel things dissolving, or fight over power and control. Transit Planets Square or Opposite Natal Planets
The transit planets can make aspects to your natal planets and bodies, and when they are 90 degrees away, they are square, and when they are 180 degrees away, they are opposite. This brings challenging energy from the transit planet to whatever is ruled by the natal planet or body.
Squares and oppositions by the transit planets or bodies to our natal Sun or Moon can bring frustrations, emotional upset, and personal challenges. With the Sun ruling the self, we can struggle with control with the transit planet, and with the Moon ruling emotions, this can be a source of emotional insecurity Transit planets and bodies square or opposite natal Mercury impact our ideas, expression, and outlook; square or opposite natal Venus, impact our relationships and connections; square or opposite natal Mars, impact what we're taking initiative with and how; square or opposite natal Ceres, impact our resources and support; square or opposite natal Jupiter, impact our opportunities and experiences; square or opposite natal Saturn, impact our goals, direction, and lessons; square or opposite natal Uranus, impact changes we're making and our dreams; square or opposite natal Neptune, impact our intuitive and creativity; square or opposite natal Pluto, impact our personal power and control; and square or opposite natal Chiron, impact our healing and wounds. P.S. Make sure you're signed up for the free monthly worksheet so you can keep track of the planets every month and know what they're doing! Squares and Oppositions and Progressions and Returns
Your progressed chart adds one day to your date of birth for every year you've been alive to create a new chart ref;ective of your maturation and growth. Progressed planets and bodies move through the Zodiac, but at a very slow pace, so it can be significant when they make an exact square or opposition to something in the progressed chart or in your natal chart.
This can trigger a major challenge you need to work on with whatever is being squared or opposed, and the energy of the progressed planet or body and whatever it rules can have a difficult impact on the natal body. A return occurs when a transit planet or body returns to the exact position it was at when you were born, so when it conjuncts itself in your natal chart. Returns tend to be very important when they occur for whatever that planet or body rules, and we can experience events directly related to it. Squares or oppositions to the Return planet in the Return Chart can show challenging energy for whatever the planet rules for however long the chart is in play. Suggested Reading: All About the First House in Astrology August 2024 comes with the joyful Leo New Moon and change-focused Aquarius Full Moon as Mercury retrograde is swirling. What's in store for us? P.S. Make sure to sign up for the free monthly worksheet so you can keep track of planetary events like new and full moons every month! What is a New Moon?
A New Moon occurs when the transit (moving) Sun and Moon are in the exact same position in the Zodiac (called a conjunction). New Moons are related to beginnings, have high energy, and are enthusiastic.
What is a Full Moon?
A Full Moon occurs when the transit (moving) Sun and Moon are in the exact opposite positions in the Zodiac (called an opposition). Full Moons are related to endings, culminations, and are emotional energy.
New Moon in Leo: August 4th 2024 (7:15AM ET/4:15AM PT)
The Leo New Moon is traditionally a nice New Moon since Leo is a positive, happy fire sign. Leo rules love, both the people we love and the things we love to do, and how we connect to our hearts and be joyful. This is fun, carefree, and represents our inner child. We want to laugh and play, goof off, and not take anything too seriously. This is a great time for vacations and getaways, for romance and dating, and for sparks flying.
This is also a highly creative New Moon, and we may focus on starting new creative projects and ventures, or bringing creativity into whatever we're already working on. We may want to take up a new hobby, and this can be a creative one, or one that allows us to channel our creative energy into it. This is welcome after the very heavy previous New and Full Moons, and we could use the break from the serious and intense! The day after this New Moon, on August 5th, Mercury turns retrograde (appears to move backward) in Virgo, and Mercury will retrograde back to Leo on August 14th, where it stays retrograde until August 28th. This complicates things since Mercury retrograde likes to throw things off, and we may become aware of issues we have with love, joy, and ways we haven't nurtured our inner child. We may feel we lack a real connection to our hearts, and this can make us pessimistic. But it's better to actually work on the issues instead of letting them fester and grow. Retrogrades are times for do overs and second chances, so this New Moon might bring with it opportunities to redo, revise, revisit, rethink, reconnect, and recover. This can especially be helpful for reconnecting with the heart or with old flames, for picking back up old hobbies or creative projects, or for redoing something that brought you joy in the past. The New Moon is sextile (beneficial aspect, two signs away) transit (moving) Jupiter in Gemini, and this actually helps with the positive focus for this New Moon since Jupiter is the happy, optimistic planet. We generally don't want to get wrapped up in anything too serious or mundane, though the Mercury retrograde might try to drag us down. We can resist and try to work with this energy instead. The New Moon occurs at 12 degrees 34 minutes Leo. The aspects to the New Moon are: Conjunction: 10 degrees 34 minutes - 14 degrees 34 minutes Leo Sextile: 10 degrees 34 minutes - 14 degrees 34 minutes Gemini or Libra Square: 10 degrees 34 minutes - 14 degrees 34 minutes Taurus or Scorpio Trine: 10 degrees 34 minutes - 14 degrees 34 minutes Aries or Sagittarius Opposition: 10 degrees 34 minutes - 14 degrees 34 minutes Aquarius Full Moon in Aquarius: August 19th 2024 (2:25PM ET/11:25AM PT)
The Aquarius Full Moon brings attention to independence, change, and individuality. We can focus on giving ourselves more independence to be true to ourselves, and if we feel boxed in, we can fight back in a big way. This is excellent for getting out of ruts we've been stuck in, but we do need to be mindful of being impulsive, impatient, and jumping without thinking about it first. That just puts us in more hot water, so we need to avoid that.
We can be willing to make changes that we feel will help push us forward in a big way, and we can see progress being made with changes we've already been working on, are invested in, and are going about the right way. Any changes where we're not doing that, we may experience setbacks or blocks, and need to work through that in order to make progress. This Full Moon is opposite Mercury retrograde, and square (challenging aspect, three signs away) transit Uranus in Taurus. The Mercury retrograde begins with the New Moon, but gets triggered by this Full Moon, and oppositions can feel out of our control, so we may experience developments that feel like that. With the square to Uranus, this may seem like it comes out of nowhere, and we're really blown away by it. This can easily throw us off of our game, and we can lose sight of what we're doing. It's super important that we remain in control of ourselves as much as possible with this Full Moon. Emotions likely run very, very high, and this can lead to bad decisions and hasty actions that cause more problems. We need to be smart and not let emotion cloud our judgment. But it truly is fantastic energy for getting out of a rut. We have the drive and desire to break out with this Full Moon, and we can make it happen. Look around at your life and see where you've been most stuck, and how much it's impacted you. This can be where you take action - just be smart about it! The Full Moon occurs at 27 degrees 15 minutes Aquarius. Aspects to the Full Moon are: Conjunction: 25 degrees 15 minutes - 29 degrees 15 minutes Aquarius Sextile: 25 degrees 15 minutes - 29 degrees 15 minutes Aries or Sagittarius Square: 25 degrees 15 minutes - 29 degrees 15 minutes Taurus or Scorpio Trine: 25 degrees 15 minutes - 29 degrees 15 minutes Gemini or Libra Opposition: 25 degrees 15 minutes - 29 degrees 15 minutes Leo Suggested Reading: The New & Full Moons page for general interpretations by house and aspect Here comes the second Mercury retrograde for 2024! It begins in detailed Virgo and ends in active Leo. What will this retrograde do for us? And if you want to keep track of planetary happenings every month (like Mercury retrograde), make sure you're signed up for the free monthly worksheet! The Basics - What is Mercury retrograde?
A retrograde occurs when a planet appears to be moving backwards from our vantage point here on Earth. It isn't actually moving backwards, it just appears that way. Mercury turns retrograde most often, about 3-4 times per year, and lasts for several weeks. When a planet retrogrades, what that planet rules tends to be thrown off, along with what the sign it's retrograding in rules.
With Mercury retrograde, we experience a shadow and a storm. The shadow period starts when Mercury first hits the point in the Zodiac it will turn direct at, and ends when it last hits the point in the Zodiac it will turn retrograde at. Most people don't feel the effects of Mercury retrograde until it enters the storm period though. The storm period of Mercury retrograde is when Mercury is moving at its slowest, less than 40 minutes per day. Mercury is a fast-moving planet and hates it when it's moving slowly. There's usually two storm periods, one around the time Mercury turns retrograde, and one around when it turns direct. Mercury Retrograde in Virgo & Leo 2024 Key Dates:
Mercury Retrograde Effects:
This Mercury retrograde begins in Virgo, and Virgo is one of the signs that Mercury naturally rules (along with Gemini). This increases the impact of the retrograde energy, and it's extra strong for our daily lives, work lives, and health. We can be super stressed out, picking apart the details to the max, demanding way too much of ourselves, and taking on way too much work.
This is especially strong at the start with Mercury retrograde beginning at a critical degree, 4 degrees Virgo. There are 30 degrees in every sign, 360 degrees total, and some placements are called critical degrees (linking to the Lunar Mansions). These placements have charged energy, and we have to work at managing them in more productive ways, especially with this one in Virgo. Mercury is at 4 degrees Virgo starting August 3rd (before the retrograde begins) to August 7th. We need to go easy on ourselves, and not demand perfection that is attainable. We need to have healthy outlets for stress and frustration, otherwise we can get overwhelmed, break down, and fall apart at the seams. This can be good energy for picking back up old work or projects, for reconnecting with old coworkers or employees, or for reorganizing, changing your routine or regimen, or improving your schedule. But this retrograde doesn't occur entirely in Virgo, and Mercury goes back to Leo on August 14th, and spends the rest of the retrograde in this fire sign. In Leo, this can bring more attention to love, both who and what we love, and we can become aware of issues in our love relationships that we need to work through, and may want to reconnect with old flames. We may want more time to enjoy ourselves, to have fun and let loose, and to avoid any work, but we either don't get that and have a hard time with focus, or we avoid work completely and it piles up. We go from overworking to slacking big time! We need to find some balance with this retrograde, balance between work and play, the mundane and fun, the details and the joyful. While in Leo, creative energy can surge, and this can be channeled into everything we do. It can be a good time to pick back up a creative project, reconnect with an old hobby, or restore inspiration. It'll be especially important when Mercury first goes back to Leo to try and use the energy well as Mercury will be at the anaretic degree (29 degrees of any sign) August 14th - 16th, which is extra supercharged and might bring out some difficulties, selfish behavior, being taken advantage of, stubbornness, pride getting in the way, inflated egos, or all talk behavior. But the retrograde also ends at a critical degree, 21 degrees Leo, so we're charged coming in and going out. Add on the Moon in the signs Mercury naturally rules at the start and end (see the Moons section), and we're riding some major emotional highs and lows and might not be making the best choices! And oh yes, while in Virgo, we'll have a temporary mutable t-square going on. T-squares occur when two or more planets oppose one another, and they square a third (or more) planet. Neptune and Saturn are in Pisces, and Mercury retrograde in Virgo opposes them as they all square Mars and Jupiter in Gemini. We have a mutable t-square cooking as soon as Mercury first enters Virgo on July 25th, and lasts until Mercury comes back to Virgo and exits on September 26th. Mutable t-squares can send energy zinging around haphazardly, and this can be difficult to control so we're all over the place. T-squares focus on the squared planet(s), which is Mars and Jupiter in Gemini in this case, so we might be overthinking things, communication can be out of sorts, and we're not correctly paying attention to what's really important. There can be a lot of talking but not much listening. The way out is through the missing sign that opposes the squares planets, which is Sagittarius in this case. We need to take a step back, see the big picture, and not get lost in the weeds. We need to be more optimistic and gregarious, and open our minds. Mercury Retrograde in Virgo & Leo 2024 Aspects:
During the retrograde, Mercury will make 5 major aspects to the other transit (moving) planets. They are:
- Conjunct Venus on August 7th 2024 @ 3 degrees Virgo: Mercury conjunct Venus often denotes pleasant communication and expression. We can be more understanding, and we may find that communicating in new, different ways is more effective. We can also reconnect, recommit, and find new ways of coming together and benefiting from alliances. This can help us in our daily lives or with our work in Virgo. - Square Uranus on August 18th 2024 @ 27 degrees Leo/Taurus: Mercury square Uranus is a challenging aspect, and we may struggle with impatience, impulsive energy, and are most prone to lashing out around this time. We can jump into things without thinking, and this leads to more problems. We're itching about something, and we need to get to the heart of it in order to find a solution. This can be a good time to get unstuck with something that has been too stagnant for too long, but we do need to be smart about it. - Conjunct the Sun on August 19th 2024 @ 26 degrees Leo: This is the Inferior Conjunction, a positive point in the retrograde for starting something that can be a focus for the next 6-8 weeks; find where it falls in your chart, and that may be where you can start something. With this one in Leo, we can make use of creativity. - Trine Chiron on August 23rd 2024 @ 23 degrees Leo/Aries: Chiron is the wounded healer in astrology, governing our great wounds but also healing abilities. This aspect can highlight existing wounds in the world and in ourselves, and it can be easier for us to take care of ourselves and others. We can find relief, and we can get a better understanding. Chiron also rules health so there can be greater emphasis on health matters. - Sextile Mars on August 24th 2024 @ 22 degrees Leo/Gemini: Mars is the planet of energy and drive, so this aspect can bring more mental energy and a drive to take action with ideas and plans. This might involve old ideas we pick back up, old plans we want to try again with, or we might make some tweaks to new ideas or plans to get better traction. The Moons of Mercury Retrograde:
The Moon travels through both signs Mercury naturally rules during this retrograde, and in fact, it starts and ends with the Moon in its home signs. The Moon enters Virgo (ruled by Mercury) shortly after Mercury retrograde begins on August 5th (5:17PM ET/2:17PM PT) to August 8th (5:31AM ET/2:31AM PT).
Virgo is also the sign the Mercury retrograde starts in, so this increases anxiety and stress, as well as brings strong focus to the retrograde. We're likely going into this retrograde with a lot of little issues worrying us to death, and we need to be better at taking care of ourselves and having healthy outlets for stress. Mercury also being at a critical degree isn't helping, and we need to be much more mindful of our actions and choices. The Moon is in Gemini (ruled by Mercury) near the end of Mercury retrograde, from August 25th (11:03PM ET/8:03PM PT) to August 28th (4:48AM ET/1:48AM PT), which is the same day the retrograde ends (is ends just over 12 hours after the Moon exits Gemini). This can increase scattered, unfocused energy and a need for a mental outlet, and we're likely pretty harried and ready to move forward coming out of this retrograde. Emotions can run quite high as this retrograde starts and ends - be careful! Final Notes:
The retrograde starts at 4 degrees Virgo, so those of you Virgos born August 24th - 30th may feel the start of the retrograde most. The retrograde ends at 21 degrees Leo, so those of you Lions born August 10th - 17th may feel the end of the retrograde most.
For the rest of you, check the house(s) Mercury will be retrograding in your own natal chart, and any aspects Mercury will make during its retrograde to your natal planets, to fully understand how it will impact you personally. If you have Mercury retrograde in your natal or progressed chart, you may not feel the worst of this. Those individuals generally don't experience the difficulties of the retrograde because it feels more natural to them. Of course, chances are everyone else around them doesn't have the same aspect, so they can still experience difficulties brought on by others. If it's in your natal chart, check out this article about Mercury retrograde in the natal chart. Suggested Reading: The Mercury, Venus, & Mars Retrogrades page for interpretations |
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