Over the summer, were you surrounded by people or in a place you loved but sat feeling empty and alone? Were you constantly on the edge of your seat ready to throw your phone against the wall at any notification? Or were you running around generally confused and out of energy? If you answered yes to any, or all, of the above, then what you were experiencing was totally normal. There were seven planets in retrograde this summer, so all those tumultuous emotions make sense. But now the stars are realigning, and it’s time to see your goals to fruition.
What is the retrograde?
First, it’s important to know that each planet rules over different themes and traits of life. Think of mythology and what the gods ruled. Mercury was the god of communication, messages, boundaries, luck and trickery, which is why everything falls apart, relationships fail and you have incredibly bad luck when that crazy biatch looks like she’s spinning backward.
When I say retrograde, I mean that the planet appears to be spinning backward. When this happens — snap! Everything pertaining to that planet’s properties starts to go backward.
Your timeline — and emotions — may be a bit different depending on your astrological chart’s placements because some planets went into retrograde starting in March, while others went into retrograde in August. Throughout these months, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto were in retrograde. (Yes, I’m still considering Pluto a planet.)
In case you weren’t irritable enough, several occurrences like blood moons and eclipses during the summer may have contributed to hormonal imbalances. If you started growing excess hair or howled at the moon, then don’t be alarmed. We were all confronting a shadow version of ourselves and not actually turning into werewolves. The universe — whatever that may mean to you — was pushing people as individuals and as a collective out of their comfort zones and into alignment with their higher selves. It was really a period where we had to face the worst in order to realize what was best for us, whether we liked it or not.
Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are out of retrograde in September. The rest will follow throughout the end of the year, except Uranus. That stinker is in retrograde until January 6, 2019.
So, as the planets start to move forward again so should you.
According to astrologer Jessica Lanyadoo’s recent post in regards to astrology, “The slow moving outer planets define the events that are impacting us globally. They describe the conditions and developmental lessons that shape a generation.”
Throughout September and October, you’ll start to see the changes in your life after confronting what doesn’t align with your path. If not, you’ll be even more uncomfortable if you continue to deny what’s out of synchronicity. Take this space to reflect on who you are and what makes you feel most alive. That will lead you down the path to your best self. Meditate on and pray about what feels most true to you. Live your life with full transparency. Focus on your own ascension and let others fall away if they may.
Autumn is a fresh start that’ll feel crisper than a fall wind. After conquering your shadows and learning more about yourself, this is a time of renewal. The planets and their properties will lend themselves to your ideas and play to your advantage.
With fall semester in full swing, maybe you’re finishing 2018 goals and banging out new ones along with the new school year. Right now would be the opportune moment to tackle anything that you may have left unfinished in the summer with lack of motivation.
The universe is pushing you to make positive changes and to move forward aggressively.
Just like those heavenly bodies made us feel like the world was turning backward, it’s our turn to move forward — it’s time to stop blaming Mercury and start making plans. If you’re looking for a sign, this is it.