Dale Osadchuk

2018 Retrograde season begins Mar 08/09

The planets from Jupiter out to Pluto each go on a retrograde journey from 4 to 5 months during the year. Mercury does this three times a year for a period of approximately three weeks. The Sun and Moon never have retrograde (backward) motion. If they ever do we are in “big trouble”. So retrograde planets are not unusual. But this year Mars (assertive action) will be in backward motion as well June 26 to Aug 27. Mars only goes into retrograde motion about every 26 months. Venus (love and awareness of others) will also be retrograde this year from Oct 05 to Nov 06. She retrogrades about every 19 months. Since these are the relationship planets we will all have the opportunity for review, realignment, and revision of our relationship experiences. That is the purpose of retrograde motion. To look back to where we have been, release what no longer serves us, and make space for the new that is wanting to manifest.  Some people feel intimidated by the retrograde energy but it is the opportunity to look deeply within and find buried treasure. It is the opportunity to become empowered.

On Mar 06 both Mercury (our thoughts and perceptions) and Venus (creative visualization) entered Aries (inspired new beginnings). Did you feel it? Did the energy activate a sense of wanting to create the new? Perhaps but perhaps not. There is a reason for the latter. Mercury (ideas and curiosity) is about to enter his retrograde shadow on Mar 08 (as I write that is today). He will be in backward motion (the trickster) when he enters 16 degrees Aries on March 22. He will move direct at 04 degrees Aries on April 15. When the shadow period begins it is a preview of what is to come. The Mercury shadow period begins when he enters the degree he will turn direct at. In this case it is 04 degrees Aries. He leaves his shadow period when he again reaches the degree he turned retrograde on. In this case it is 16 degrees Aries and Mercury will reach that degree on May 03 and clear the shadow.

As we mentioned Aries is inspired new beginnings. But Aries can be impatient and impulsive and leaps before looking. Mercury retrograde in Aries will be asking “is that where you really want to go?” Venus (creative expression and passionate inspiration) will be affected by the Mercury shadow as they are travelling very close together until the Equinoxes on Mar 20/21. It means this time frame (until Mercury moves direct) is a time to explore new possibilities but hold back on taking action. For people with planets being influenced by Mercury Rx that will be the challenge. The Animal Totem guides in the Northern Hemisphere for this Mercury/Venus in Aries adventure are Falcon, clarity of vision, and Red Tailed Hawk, spiritual messenger. They will also be the Northern Hemisphere guides when the Sun visits Aries Mar 20 to Apr 19/20. They will also continue to guide Mercury until he leaves Aries on May 13. Pay attention to signals and message from the universe at this timing. For the Southern Hemisphere the guides for this Aries energy are Crow, sacred law, and Raven, magic. They are shapeshifters and gift you with the potential to change your thoughts and change your life.

Tonight (Mar 08) at 11.45 pm EST (Mar 09 at 4.45 am GMT) Jupiter the planet of expansion, growth, and manifestation, turns retrograde at 23 degrees Scorpio. He will travel backward until July 10 when he moves direct at 13 degrees Scorpio. We do not use a shadow period for the planets from Jupiter out to Pluto but Jupiter will be revisiting events he has influenced since mid-Dec 2017. When he moved into Scorpio on Oct 10, 2017 secrets, lies, sexual abuse, and misuse of power issues became exposed. Scorpio exposes what “lies beneath”. Now that Jupiter is entering his retrograde journey for the next four months we will probably see more secrets and lies being exposed but also justice for those who have abused others.  In the Northern Hemisphere the Animal Totem guide for Scorpio is Snake, shedding the old and embracing healing and transformation. For the Southern Hemisphere the guide is Beaver, clearing the clutter to make space to build the new. The Sacred Totem for this Jupiter in Scorpio journey (whether retrograde or direct) is The Phoenix, rising from the aches to be re-born.

Today is International Women’s Day. How appropriate that we have the gift of EMPOWERMENT being offered to us. Even retrograde Jupiter is the planet of Luck and Blessings. And remember whenever we experience a retrograde planet it is the opportunity for Empowerment.

Blessings Dale

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