Trimming Palms
Dates and times are given for U.S. Pacific Time zone.
A dollop of hope
The world seems to have turned into a game of tug-of-war. My opinion, my truth, my beliefs, vs. yours. Shouting matches instead of civilized discussion. Everyone is always right and no one is ever wrong (which seems mathematically improbable, right?). This has been our collective background music for a long time, and it’s reached a crescendo since the Lunar Nodes entered Gemini and Sagittarius last May.
This week’s Full Moon is a Lunar Eclipse (May 26, 2021, 6:14 am PDT) at 5.25 Sagittarius. And it offers a dollop of hope: the eclipse point is square Jupiter, newly in Pisces. Jupiter is a judge, but in Pisces, he’s a kindly one. So I like to think this eclipse holds some hope of softening our points of view just a bit.
Lunar eclipses have particular relevance to our personal relationships, bringing new partners into our orb and redefining existing ones. With Jupiter prominent in this eclipse chart, we should take care not to make mountains out of molehills. Treat one another gently, with tolerance and understanding – even though other aspects this week may bring difficult matters to light. (Read more about the Lunar Eclipse in this essay from my archives.)
How to lie
Esteemed astrologer Steven Forrest once said that, “we get married, and then set to work teaching each other how to lie.” That’s keenly observed, and it has the sting of truth. But it’s difficult to deal with unvarnished candor on a 24-hour basis, and in a long-term relationship untruths are sometimes kind. A little gentleness lets affection endure.
But there are kind untruths (“No, that dress doesn’t make you look fat”) and then there is flat-out deception. And as Venus squares Neptune (May 27, 2021, 12:25 pm PDT), doors get left open and you can get a good look at what is really going on – in relationships, with money, and in the way you value yourself, or don’t.
Trimming palms
Just as Mercury comes together with Venus this week (May 28, 2021, 10:13 pm PDT), it’s slowing down, standing still, and and preparing to turn retrograde the next day (May 29, 2021, 3:34 pm PDT) – all on the Sabian symbol, A man trimming palms.
Now, my husband and I have a disagreement about trimming things. He resists pruning and weeding; he mourns for all living things that are cut or discarded, while I see it as necessary for their health and flourishing.
Whichever side you may fall on in this matter, Mercury and Venus joined together at this point suggests that we be a little bit restrained in making decisions and announcements, especially about partnerships. As Mercury turns retrograde, we may wish we could take back some promises or declarations. And that’s a bit like trimming a tree: you can always remove more, but you can’t quickly replace what’s been cut off.
Recalibration
Mercury turns retrograde this week (May 29, 2021, 3:34 pm PDT). At the beginning of each calendar year, I try to plot my major projects and obligations for the next twelve months. But I always forget to include Mercury’s retrograde periods.
It’s not that we need to shut down and stop doing everything while Mercury appears to be backward in his orbit. But overscheduling and moving at a hectic pace is not even close to being the best use of Mercury’s retrograde times. Ideally, we’d schedule retreats during those three weeks, three or four times each year, the better to do retrograde Mercury’s best work: reflection, retooling, recalibration.
Maybe Mercury retrograde is best imagined as naptime. It’s when our brains thumb through all the input we’ve been cramming into them for the past few months, categorize what’s useful, and delete what isn’t. Ideally, we would slow down during these times and let our brains do their work. It does take some planning ahead, though; so put the next Mercury retrograde (Sep. 27-Oct. 18, 2021) on your calendar now, and make sure you plan a little downtime then.
Cease fire
Mars is a fighter. But Mars in Cancer, and especially trine Neptune (May 30, 2021, 10:16 pm PDT), would prefer to avoid bloodshed. This trine forms on the day before we observe Memorial Day here in the U.S., so here’s a story that seems appropriate.
On Christmas Eve 1914, in the throes of World War I, German and British troops spontaneously began singing Christmas carols to each other across enemy lines. At dawn on Christmas morning, German soldiers came up from the trenches and called out “Merry Christmas!” in English. The British soldiers initially thought it was a trap; but when they saw the Germans were unarmed, they too emerged. The enemies shook hands, exchanged gifts of cigarettes and sweets, and sang carols together. Some Germans lit Christmas trees around the trenches, and there were even reports of an impromptu soccer match.
Imagine you’re far from home (Mars in Cancer) at Christmas, cold and damp and miserable, afraid for your life – when an unexpected wave of warmth, kindness, and humanity washes over you. Keep your eyes and ears open as Mars trines Neptune this week; someone you’ve been protecting yourself from might actually welcome a chance to clink glasses and share a song with you.
Writing and images © 2020-2021 by April Elliott Kent
Listen to this week’s podcast episode for more discussion of the week’s highlights!
Helpful things…
