This week we have Mercury turning retrograde in Leo and the 2nd eclipse, a Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius. Last week we had the Solar Eclipse in Cancer and we saw the Russians indicted in the hacking of the US 2016 election. The US is a Cancerian country and an eclipse in Cancer was bound to bring something out onto the table. After all, that is the job of eclipses – to enlighten us for the next chapter. The US president was born under a lunar eclipse, so I expect that he will be somehow affected by the upcoming lunar eclipse on the 27th. If nothing else, he – and anyone else born on a lunar eclipse – will feel the powerful energy. It can be very restless for all of us as well.

Mercury stations retrograde at 23° Leo on July 26th in the wee hours of the morning EDT. It will remain retrograde in Leo until August 19th and turn direct at 11° Leo. Mercury retro in Leo reminds us to go back to what we do that makes us shine, where we can be freely creative and love life. With the South Node and Mars traveling in the opposite sign of Aquarius, we may find ourselves pulled into old patterns that we have outgrown. Places where we may be overly analytical, obstinate, contrary. It’s easier as a defense to act from a place of being stubborn, but what we really need to do now is open our hearts. That’s what Leo is about, being loving and supportive. Aquarius is about friendship, community and honoring our independence and unique qualities. Since the eclipse is at the South Node, we will release these old patterns, where we clutch on to the past. No one ever wants to let go of the familiar and that is the test of the South Node, to get out of the comfort zone. This is one of those cases where we truly need to trust life and not fall into old habits. We shall find balance by owning and being proud of our uniqueness while remaining sincere and committed to our heart’s journey.

There’s a lot of excitement around this eclipse because it makes a challenge to Uranus, the planet of genius, surprises, epiphanies and breakthroughs. If you are longing for a breakthrough in some part of your life, this may be the moment. It’s a good time to push the envelope in whatever you are working on – stretch your abilities and have confidence in what you can do. Creativity is abundant with this aspect and it’s perfect for thinking outside the box and turning ideas upside down to see them from a different vantage point.

And that’s exactly what we need to do this week – turn ideas upside down. I have to say I have seen a lot of doom and gloom around the internet about this eclipse and it disappoints me. There are many ways to handle energies like this and to get frazzled in advance is not a good choice. For many people who are utterly unaware of astrology, they will just think it’s another Friday in their lives with stuff to deal with. Maybe busier than usual. But my point is – don’t buy into this hysteria. Remember Y2K? Did anything happen? Not really. Instead of focusing on the anxiety of this, focus on the newness that is waiting on the other side and the plans you make for this new time. Look at it from a different vantage point, your own unique vantage point and how these energies pertain to your life, not what everyone else is telling you.

So, don’t react if you start getting hot under the collar. Go for a walk instead. Stay calm, breathe, do something sweet for yourself and for someone else. Stay by the side of those who need you. Open your friendship to someone who may need it. And most importantly, trust love.

MERCURY RETRO AND THE 2ND ECLIPSE