“When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.”

Paulo Coelho, The Devil and Miss Prym

There is some room for compromise and de-escalation today even though many seem to have dug in with firmly held convictions. The stubborn determination from the last Full Moon begins to break down following the Moon’s square to the Sun this morning. This leads to the unraveling of central leadership’s effectiveness. Mercury stations direct tomorrow, ruling the Virgo Moon, which may keep us too focused on the details, especially because there are important revelations to be found in those details. Nonetheless, we should not miss the forest for the trees and ignore the many shifts taking place in the broader skyscape.

We are able to breathe a bit more relievedly knowing that Mercury stations direct on Wednesday in Scorpio (16° 06”) at approximately 2:12 pm EST. Don’t forget, though, that the post-shadow of this retrograde phase is active until December 7th. This period is known as “retroshade.” Those born with Mercury Retrograde in their charts may be more sensitive than normal as the effects of the retrograde period wind down. This retroshade is all about integration and processing. Sure, Mercury retrograde might throw our lives into a total tailspin, but what are the golden lessons to learn? What necessary losses and changes did Mercury retrograde prompt? Use the time Mercury turns direct to the end of its shadow to make big, bold changes in your world.

Tomorrow is another story.

ASTROLOGICAL SNAPSHOT

Today is the 323rd day of 2019
33 days until the winter solstice
2 days until Mercury stations direct
44 days until 2020

Sun is in Scorpio
Moon is in Leo
Mercury is retrograde in Scorpio
Venus is in Sagittarius
Mars is in Libra
Jupiter is in Sagittarius
Saturn is in Capricorn
Uranus is retrograde in Taurus
Neptune is retrograde in Pisces
Pluto is in Capricorn
Chiron is retrograde in Aries