November 30th ~ December 7th
Priestess of Delphi by John Collier
Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It’s a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity. ~ Pema Chodron
When Mercury stationed retrograde on November 16th it was making a square aspect to the planet Neptune. This made it possible for us to become aware of those things that are undermining our effectiveness, how we may have been deceiving ourselves, or being deceived by others. There may have been some things going on behind the scenes that we were totally unaware of. The causes may be subtle, unrecognized, or hidden and complicated. However their effects and ramifications could be huge. Neptune even has domain over things like poisons, and it was during this period that we were busy tracking down the sources of poisonous romaine lettuces here in the States. The reason this is important to us, is that as Mercury slows for its direct station next week on December 6th, it will be trine the inimitable centaur, Chiron. Where Neptune dissolves, deceives, confuses, undermines and poisons; Chiron heals and shows us what we need.
What makes this trine even more significant is that both Mercury and Chiron are about to station Direct: Mercury on December 6th and Chiron on December 9th. This makes their presence even stronger. Their stations straddle the upcoming New Moon on December 7th, and they will remain in trine through the middle of December when Mercury finally re-enters Sagittarius. Mercury retrogrades back to discerning Scorpio this weekend, which like a skilled investigator unearths the underlying problems and causes of what ails us, discovering the root of the the problem and negotiating the solutions. We are needing to do this important investigative work in order to figure out what we need to do to remedy our particular situation.
The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing… not healing, not curing… that is a friend who cares. ~ Henri Nouwen
Communications can be difficult, befuddling and even confusing when Mercury is retrograde. We talk past one another, and don’t necessarily hear what the other is saying. However there are times when it is simply more important to just be with others, to hear, to listen, to understand. We can use words to wound, to harm, to deceive. But we can also use words to relate, to have empathy, to heal. That is one of the gifts of the Mercury/Chiron window which through our shared suffering, we have a greater ability to relieve the suffering in others. It is said that the healer who knows what it feels like to suffer, has a much greater capacity to heal others. For it is that compassion and understanding that serves as a means to guide them to do the right thing at the right time in the right way.
It is also true that through Mercury/Chiron you have a better chance to get in touch with your own unique voice and way of expressing yourself. Part of that comes with a willingness to connect to your own vulnerability, honestly laying your own wounds on the altar. Another part comes from a deeper awareness and understanding. Coinciding with the New Moon, we will all be seeking remedies for that which ails us, and we just may find exactly what we need.
As we approach the dark of the Moon this coming week, and the last leg of the Mercury retrograde phase, quiet and introspection are needed now more than ever. Things are ending, resolving and dissolving. If you are plagued by uncertainty and indecision, wait this period out before making any major decisions. If you are feeling weak, disenchanted or disillusioned, conserve your energy and turn your attention within. This is a week for healing, for conserving energy, for introspection and reflection. A lot can be discovered and rediscovered during these liminal periods when the still small voices within are trying to guide us; but first we have to stop and make the time to listen.
For next week’s horoscopes, click below: