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Issue # 15 - June, 2008

THE RETURN
Newsletter for Aquarius Rising Astrological Consulting

IS MERCURY AN ANNOYING PLANET?

Mercury — ¹Teacher or Trickster

Teacher

The Gift… The capacity to replace familiar but outdated pictures of the world
with new ideas and points of view.
The Challenge… Can you grant yourself permission to see more clearly
tomorrow than you do today?

Trickster

The Trap… The temptation to misdirect energy needed for learning and
clarifying into rationalization, defensiveness and intransigence.
The Lie… You’ve seen it all.

Mercury Retro Seen as African
Trickster-God, ²Eshu

Is Mercury really an annoying planet?

You’d for sure think so, listening to many folks talk about it during times when it’s retrograde. When Mercury appears to go backward in its orbit, it’s called a Retrograde period. That happens three times a year in three-week periods. Astrologers have observed that during these times delays, reversals and confusion in conveying and receiving information seem to happen more often than usual. Astrologers will often give the advice not to sign any important documents during this period and to use the time to finish up old projects. Is there any more to it than that…?

Mercury went retrograde on Monday, the 26th of May and will go direct again on June 19th. You might notice for yourself what happens during this time.

What does Mercury represent?

Mercury, is the mythological messenger of the gods, the runner with winged feet. For mere mortals like ourselves, Mercury represents—positively—the human capacity of intelligence, curiosity and communication. Negatively, Mercury represents nervousness and worry.

I’ve often thought of Mercury as the Yoruba trickster-god, Eshu. One story about him goes something like this…

Once upon a time there were two farmers who were best friends, so much so that they even dressed alike whenever they went out together. Every day they would come out into their adjoining fields for a chat.

Also passing through their fields each day on the narrow foot path in between was Eshu. He always wore a white hat and carried his pipe, his staff over his shoulder as he strolled along; but one day he decided to change things up. He made himself a new hat in four colors—black, white, red and green. Depending on which side you saw him from, his hat would appear as being only one of these colors. Then he took his pipe and instead of holding it in his mouth as he usually did, he tucked it into his collar at the nape of his neck. Then he slung his staff over his shoulder from behind instead of over his chest as he usually carried it.

The two farmers were busily chatting as usual, that morning when Eshu walked by. Absent-mindedly, they greeted him as he passed. He returned their greeting and proceeded on his way.

Later in the day, one of the farmers remarked to the other, “Did you see how the old man walked across the field in the opposite direction this morning?”

“No he didn’t,” replied the other.

“What do you mean? I saw it with my own eyes!” came the reply.

“No, my friend, you must have been drinking wine this morning and your senses are a bit dull.”

“No, I haven’t been drinking! I know he walked in the opposite direction and he wore a green hat as well.”

“Now I know you’re insane. He had a red hat on,” shouted the other.

“You fool! I can’t believe you’re so blind! Why are you lying!” the other screamed back.

“It’s obvious you have no eyes in your head at all,” shrieked the first again, and with that took out his knife and began to slash his friend around the head.

The second farmer pulled out his own knife to defend himself and soon the two were running into the village desperate for help in resolving their disagreement—these two “best friends…”

Eshu, meanwhile, made his way to the court of the King where the disagreement would be adjudicated. When the two men arrived and the king asked what had caused the two farmers to quarrel, Eshu spoke up. “It is I who caused these two to quarrel.” Everyone turned and gasped in astonishment! Eshu continued. “This morning I dressed so that if you looked at my feet, you could see I was traveling one direction, but if you looked at my head, I appeared to be traveling in another. Then he showed his hat with the four colors. “Whichever side you would have seen me from,” he went on, “would have made me appear to be wearing a hat of a different color.”

Like Eshu, Mercury, when it is retrograde, asks us to look below surface-level appearances.

Are any two people really so alike or continually in harmonious agreement as those two farmers? We resort to certain routines in our behaviors to make life easier to live— nothing wrong with that; but just so we don’t forget that those behaviors and routines are based on a contrived perception of reality in order to help our minds organize information, Mercury goes retrograde now and again to remind us of the deeper realities of life.

Brilliantly creative solutions to problems and information “windfalls” —

that’s the other side of Mercury’s tricks. The gift those two farmers received was the opportunity to see themselves and their relationship in a new, potentially more interesting light. If they were willing to let go of their perceptual biases, their friendship could deepen and their world could become vastly more interesting. The next time a disagreement arose between them, they could say to themselves, “Now, wait a minute. Am I seeing this correctly?” Instead of attacking each other they might have a very long and interesting discussion and find out a lot of things about each other and their world that had so far not been in the scope of their vision. And that’s what we can learn too from Mercury.

We have that choice.

Now, don’t go oversimplifying what I’m saying about Mercury here…

Exactly how, and in what area of your life is Mercury affecting you during this retrograde period?

For that information, you’ll need to look at your own natal chart, based on your exact time, date and place of birth.

Mercury is passing through the sign of Gemini during this three week period. Gemini gives the symbolism for the way that Mercury is behaving now. For a deeper understanding of the archetype of Gemini, please look up Issue # 4 of this newsletter on the archives page of my website www.aquariusastrological.com

But in what House does Gemini fall in YOUR chart?

The House number and symbolism will tell you which area of your life is being

affected by Mercury at this time.

How deeply will you feel it’s affects?

For that, you want to look and see if it’s aspecting any sensitive points in your chart or not. It may be affecting you strongly or maybe not so much. It all depends…

— By Lark Bowerman

¹ Mercury as Teacher and Trickster copied by permission of the Author from The Changing Sky; A Practical Guide to the New Predictive Astrology by Steven Forrest. ² The Hero with an African Face; Mythic Wisdom of Traditional Africa by Clyde W. Ford

Astrology and Yoga

By Dabney Oliver

Astrology and Yoga are two ancient traditions that enjoy mainstream popularity – but rarely are the two arts practiced in unison. One way to work with both is to honor the New and Full Moons each month in your regular Yoga practice.

The New Moon is a time for setting intentions and it represents new beginnings. As the darkest time of the month the New Moon symbolizes hidden potential and offers the opportunity to bring to fruition what is in your heart. Every month a New Moon takes place in a different sign (this information can easily be found on the Internet or on many calendars). A wonderful ritual is to set a conscious intention at the beginning of your Yoga practice at the New Moon. Setting an intention specific to the New Moon can benefit you to work with the planetary energy available and help manifest your intention.

For example:

June 3, 2008 – New Moon in Gemini

Gemini symbolizes communication and the ability to see the value of relative points of view; it is about education and teaching. At the beginning of your practice you can visual or set the intention explore, gain insight or manifest a pathway for clearly communicating what is in your heart. Or you can silently pray for strength or insight into a situation that requires you to let go of your attachments to seeing something from a singular point of view.

Things that are born on a New Moon often manifest at the Full Moon.

Each month also has a Full Moon - a time when things symbolically come to fruition and the dark veil is lifted. It is a time of completion. At the Full Moon your practice is less about setting intentions and more about honoring and being grateful for what has emerged.

June 18, 2008 – Full Moon in Sagittarius

Sagittarius is about adventure, travel, freedom, philosophies and religious beliefs. At the beginning of your practice this month you may want to take time to honor and dedicate your Yoga to the freedoms you enjoy or the knowledge that emerged for you as a result of your New Moon ritual. By paying gratitude in this way you are reminded to slow down, breath and say thank you for what you receive.

It is highly rewarding to incorporate the rhythms and motions of the planets into your Yoga practice. By setting intentions and offering gratitude on a monthly basis in this way you will begin to reap significant rewards on both inner and outer levels. After an entire year of this practice you will be amazed at the progress you can make.

In addition to a monthly New and Full Moon Yoga practice – you can try a yoga style that fits nicely with your Sun sign.

Aries: Ashtanga or “Power Yoga” was developed by K. Pattabhi Jois and is considered one of the more physically demanding forms of yoga. Active Aries will enjoy the athletic nature of this yoga series.

Taurus: Anasura Yoga is a relatively new style developed by John Friend that focuses on opening the heart and seeing the beauty of life while remembering to ground and focus on proper posture alignment. Taurus yogis will appreciate the holistic and earthy viewpoint of Anasura.

Gemini: Kali Ray TriYoga created by Kali Ray is perfect for Geminis. This style of yoga incorporates a synchronization of movement, breath and mudras. Energetic Geminis will like the dynamic nature of Kali Ray that allows practitioners to evolve and grow into an active daily practice.

Cancer: Restorative Yoga is a gentle form of Hatha yoga that offers the body rest and relaxation through a series of passive poses. As the natural nurturers of the Zodiac, Cancers need to restore and replenish themselves in order to better take care of others. After an hour of Restorative Yoga, Cancers will once again be able to mother the world.

Leo: Bikram Yoga developed by Bikram Choudhury, aptly nick-named “hot yoga”, is a series of 26 postures practiced in studios where the thermostat is set for upwards of 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Bikram has been the rage with celebrities for years. Created in Los Angeles, this demanding, yet somehow glamorous yoga style allows Leo yogis to feel strong and posh all at the same time.

Virgo: Integral Yoga, created by Swami Satchidananda emphasizes breath, meditation and movement. Virgos will appreciate the comprehensive nature of Integral yoga. Health conscious Virgos will also like that this method has been endorsed by Dr. Dean Ornish for a heart healthy lifestyle.

Libra: Sivanda Yoga was developed by Vishnu-devananda, author of the classic “The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga”. By emphasizing, breath, meditation, diet, positive thinking and traditional yoga postures, Sivanda Yoga provides a balanced approach that will work nicely for Libras.

Scorpio: Kundalini Yoga focuses on the release of Kundalini energy or one’s “serpent power” that is found at the base of the spine. Through mediation, chanting and a variety of postures, Kundalini yoga gives Scorpios the juicy experience of awakening their own power. Scorpios are always in search of transformative experiences and Kundalini yoga provides a healthy outlet for this quest.

Sagittarius: The Jivamukti Yoga method came out of New York City, created by David Life and Sharon Gannon, Sagittarius yogis will find this style of yoga highly rewarding because each class is a bit of an adventure. Jivamukti incorporates funky music, chanting, home study and scriptural readings – intended to stimulate body, mind and spirit alike.

Capricorn: Iyengar Yoga, created by beloved yogi B.K.S. Iyengar emphasizes proper alignment and the details of each posture. Capricorns are natural achievers and will enjoy the mastery of the art of yoga they can attain by practicing Iyengar. Capricorns will also respect the rigorous teacher training program that these practitioners go through.

Aquarius: Kripalu Yoga is practiced all over the country but began in the beautiful Berkshires of Massachusetts. Aquarius practitioners will enjoy the community that Kripalu yogis share. In addition, the methodical learning process that culminates in a practice that yields spontaneous, meditative movement is ideal for free-spirited Aquarians.

Pisces: Ananda Yoga, developed by Swami Kriyananda, is a traditional Hatha Yoga style that works with subtle energies in the body to center and calm practitioners. Andanda Yoga utilizes silent affirmations to help awaken higher-levels of consciousness. Sensitive and spiritual Pisces will benefit from this gentle, inward form of yoga.

Dabney Oliver is an author and astrologer in private practice in Northern California that specializes in readings for moms & babies. She writes a monthly column for Parents.com and has written for Parents Magazine, Working Mother and Pregnancy & Newborn. Her Web site is: http://www.astrocutie.com

IT HELPS TO KNOW THIS…

You can forget about those one-size-fits-all horoscopes. Your unique chart is constructed from your personal birth data: Exact time, date and place of birth.

In the method of Evolutionary astrology that I use, the Sun sign represents our basic sense of Identity. The Moon sign represents our inner, emotional nature and the Ascendant, or Rising sign tells about our personal style and how we interface with the world. Sun, Moon and Ascendant are called the Primal Triad and are the foundation for understanding your personal themes. I consider the chart as a WHOLE. I also very carefully study the way the symbols are arranged in order to make your personal life themes clear. You can find more information about Evolutionary astrology on my web site.

For an in-person reading in BC,Canada, over the phone or for a gift certificate, e-mail me or call (604) 940-8940.

www.aquariusastrological.com
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lark@aquariusastrological.com

All newsletter materials copyright © 2008 Lark & Kris Bowerman, www.aquariusastrological.com

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