Astrologically Speaking

Gemini 2002 edition ...

Astrology focuses on cycles of the planets and the stars. The cycles blend, intermingle, and connect the energies represented by the planets and stars. Every month the Moon completes a full cycle. (See the index page for a Moon's current phase) Longer cycles observed by astrologers range from the annual cycle of the Sun to the cycle of Pluto, which lasts a couple of average human life times. The Sun takes a year around the zodiac, and while we do not see the phases as we do with the Moon, we do get to observe the changing of the seasons and months every year without fail.

The Taurus month (started April 19) ends on the 20th of May at 10:29 P.M. PDT which marks the beginning of the Gemini month. Each astrological month has its theme – this month May 20 - June 21, 2002 (6:24 A.M. PDT) is typically about having some fun, finding new things, learning new stuff and visiting and travelling more. Gemini believes that variety is the spice of life, a nice steady life with all the right things only causes boredom for Gemini energy. This year is different for a few astrological reasons, even Geminis might think that there is too much variety around at the moment.

Before we look at Sun in Gemini, let's find out why the alternator in the truck decided to go caput without warning, why the brakes on the big rig ceased, why that check went missing, why the phone message didn't get to you in time, why the e-mail server was down, or why you are having to deal with a customer who keeps changing their mind about what they want, how can you sell without knowing what is desired? Is there a planet out there that times the onset of these nuisances?

Mercury the ruler of Gemini stopped in his tracks May 15, 2002. Mercury has three disruptive time frames each year. This is when he takes his journey back in the sign from our earthly perspective. This lasts approx. three weeks each time. Many sun sign columns these days point out these time frames, and within the words allotted we see brief listings of what not to do and what might go wrong. Although astrological occurrences are timed to the second - life as we know ebbs and flows. Mercury is the messenger of gods, the trickster, the knave and in charge of merchandising, communication, travel, commuting, and all kinds of gadgets with wiring. When he is not in his usual mode these things tend to go awry.

So during the three weeks (May 15 through June 8) we need to pay attention to communication so it doesn't become mis-communication. Avoid signing documents and if you have to (can't stop living just because) read every line with care and include a few CYA phrases to safeguard the potential outcome. Booking a trip, prepare for delays, changed schedules and lost paperwork. Forewarned is forearmed so to speak, it is not a good idea to buy anything that comes with wiring. Having bought a few things during this time, I have learned that those vehicles spend a lot of time in the shop for all kinds of little, irritating minor problems. I have returned telephones bought with Mercury retrograde. This time Mercury is retrograde in Gemini, which rules all of these things by default, thus we need to be doubly aware and not throw caution tot he wind. Undoubtedly this write up will have typos or missing words as I am writing this on the 15th of May as Mercury stations retrograde (oh, yes I spell checked but…). The other warning that always goes with Mercury retrograde is drive defensively out there, fender benders more likely than normal. An Australian Insurance company did a survey of accident claims by birth date and arrived to the conclusion that Geminis are most likely to file a claim on an accident. Here is their list:

Who's most likely to make an accident claim by star sign?
1. Gemini May 20 - June 21
2. Taurus April 20 - May 20
3. Pisces February 19 - March 20
4. Virgo August 23 - September 22
5. Cancer June 22 - July 22
6. Aquarius January 20 - February 18
7. Aries March 21 - April 19
8. Leo July 23 - August 22
9. Libra September 23 - October 2210. Sagittarius November 22 - December 21
11. Scorpio October 23 - November 21
12. Capricorn December 22 - January 19

The complete article: http://corporate.suncorpmetway.com.au/news/news0142.asp

Gemini is curious by nature, child like in their thirst for new knowledge and trivia. Geminis bore quickly when there isn't enough stimulation to make life worth living. They are more likely to drive a manual shift vehicles, it gives their expressive hands something to do. Let's face it, an automatic vehicle is just too monotonous to drive - monotony is the enemy! Forget the cruise control features - it dulls the mind. Gemini is known as the reporter of the zodiac. The stereotypical Gemini (ala Hollywood) might be caught shifting gears in the vehicle while talking on the cell phone and simultaneously checking the pager display and jotting that number down on the note pad resting on the console covered with magazines to read at stop signs and other convenient locations and let's not ignore the book on tape playing in the background. We could say that Gemini likes mental stimulation, and that is in the air during the Gemini month. We all need mental stimulation, Gemini just more than most.

Mercury retrograde is good for revising, reviewing, revisiting, revamping, redoing, reflection and rethinking. Yes, add re to any verb that somehow describes what you have been working on prior to the period, work around the issues that are akin to misunderstanding, mis-communication, misrepresentation, mistakes – you get the drift. A little forethought may save you some redoing.

This year Mercury travels against the flow in the element of air. Typically the Mercury retrograde periods occur six times within an element. Air repeats from 1988-89. The theme continues from 2001 when two of the three were in an air sign. In January 2003 we are into the earth element once again. People who have their Mercury in an air sign may find this the most difficult of Mercury's travel plans, as thinking logically, rationally and clearly can be more challenging. (Those of us born with Mercury in this position love these time frames. The world makes better sense now.) People around the air intellect, which is the person, who starts the sentence in the middle and thinks you can follow his/her thought patterns, may frustrate the air Mercury person even more. The audience may not get it quick enough, Gemini is quick, often witty and almost all of them know the perfect quick comeback, before you have even finished making a statement. Fortunately these are short time frames.

I did some visualizing about the image that Mercury Retrograde conjures up for me, and the adjacent graphic (created using existing images) took form. An old man with an outreached arm hiding behind the flying, youthful image of the messenger ready to take flight. Reflection before action does tend to bring better results than acting in haste. Seeing that this is a recurring theme approx. 6 times at 13-year intervals, there is a long-term review period buried under the short term mishaps with only nuisance value. Air represents logic, intellect and thought, and while he spends this extended period in Gemini, there is the opportunity to rediscover the importance of forethought, preparedness and deliberation. A good time to review those ideas that are too scattered and give them form. We have these themes approx. 6 consecutive times once every 13 years, and in the long-term these help us harness thoughts into more workable ideas. I believe that these periods also help teach us wisdom, if we take the time out to ponder these or maybe even meditate on them a little.

Bottom line, expect things to go a little off kilter, and don't allow yourself to get frazzled by the delays. The description above about what went wrong the first day of this cycle for me personally started this little Mercury epistle - the alternator, big rig brakes, difficult customer who is going to be a thorn in my side for at least the next three weeks...

While the back drop of this Gemini month might be variety, lots of comings and goings, it is somewhat marred by the final Saturn - Pluto opposition on the 25th of May. This is a big cycle which has been building up for many months starting in August 2001. Life is changing as that which is no longer feasible or sustainable needs to "die" and new foundations need to be built. Here in British Columbia the new Liberal government has introduced sweeping changes in the last year. Education, healthcare, government services, transportation and other things Mercurial have been killed off and partially re-built and of course it isn't over yet. The opposition takes place through the sign of Gemini for Saturn and Sagittarius for Pluto. Pluto is about letting go of dead issues, dead relationships - things that cannot be sustained. Pluto is insurance, taxes, joint resources and we have watched the upcoming changes through the warning signals.

Astrologically speaking things that are changed by Pluto (note it is not the planet that does it, merely the planet represents what is happening) are beyond resuscitation. Typically the third sweep of any planetary configuration forces people to deal with issues that they have tried to ignore. On the day we seldom see an event, because life ebbs and flows, and tension is something that builds up over time. This particular coupling is TENSION demanding change. To even begin speculating potentialities by sign is a mission impossible because every life is as unique as the person whose life it may be. This event is followed by a lunar eclipse on the 26th in early Sagittarius, so my bet is Pluto is stronger at the moment. Pluto's favourite kick is to eliminate things from our lives that we have held onto for too long, it might be the job you hate but cling onto because what else is risky. It might be a relationship that has been "dead" for years but letting go is hard... It is seldom a trivial matter. But as always in astrology - nothing works in isolation, this is a non-event for those of us whose charts are not triggered off. This is also one of the big cycles and the changes forged by it can be subtle and only recognized years from now in hindsight.

The normally easy, breezy Gemini energy is hampered by the stressful aspects. Gemini is about breath as lungs are ruled by Mercury/Gemini. Try singing, shouting, chanting and taking nice deep breaths - from a centred position it is easier to cope with what life has in store.

This is the birthday month for Gemini so typically themes that are built into the birth chart surface now, the focus
around birthdays is typically about where you are headed in your life. This is the start of the new year for Gemini, astrologically speaking, it is easier to keep those resolutions now that your astrological year begins. Saturn and the inner planets on your Gemini Sun bring uncharacteristic seriousness into your life, there could be dissatisfaction with where your life is headed, which will lead you to make changes. Relationships are likely to either change or grow stronger under these planetary currents. How you respond to the stellar events depends on the stellar line ups in your own chart. Each life is unique, but if you are experiencing trials and tribulations know that this too shall pass, and that the stress will ease up in relatively short order.

For Aries the Gemini Sun activates the communication, travel and busy-ness area of the chart. Read the Mercury bits above with care, as these are more likely to apply to your particular sign more. There can be lots of doings with siblings, neighbours and cousins - maybe some that you haven't seen in quite a while. Not a particularly good month to make long term commitments, rather stick to pondering what those ought to be and choose with a clearer head after June 8.

For Taurus the house of money, possessions, values and priorities is lit up by the Gemini line up, as it the house directly opposite - joint resources, values, assets, debts and insurance matters. Check those financial statements with care this month, so you don't loose something of value. This is an excellent time to prioritize your personal resources and time. Take time to think about what is important to you, likewise wait until after May 8 to act upon those ideas.

For Cancer the Gemini influence takes place in the solar 12th house. The issues and events that belong here are isolation, fear, hospitals and your inner psyche. Time out from the rat race, snippets of time for reflection are called for now. It is easier to move ahead if you take the time to think about where you have been, and where you'd like to be headed. This is the month to make time to be alone, retreat a little you'll be thankful you did when your month begins.

For Leo Gemini transits light up the 11th house of acquaintances, associates and the house where we make our so called five year plans. Go out and socialize but do set aside a moment or two to contemplate that five year plan, you do have a full month. This year the retrograde Mercury adds a deeper element, affording you some deeper insights into your dreams, desires and aspirations. This is also the house where we earn money from our careers, not the best of times to demand a raise, but hey start collecting facts about why you are worth more and present your research to the boss in August when Jupiter of luck enters your sign.

For Virgo the Gemini planets activate the 10th house. This is the area where we have career and status issues. This is where authority figures such as bosses and parents reside astrologically speaking. The focus may not be all positive, glowing praise rather you may have to deal with difficult people or issues relating to them. Choose words with care, remember it isn't about what you said but what was heard. Avoid rocking the boat, it is only a short month, you can do this standing on your head. Mercury is your ruling planet so the time frame may affect your moods and make you somewhat irritable. Howl at the Moon, shout at the washing machine, yell at the inanimate objects to vent. This is the time you typically organize your summer time, don't carve plans onto stone, stay flexible.

For Libra the 9th house of travel, extra activity, religion and dreams of future is the area in prime focus. Dream ahead just don't count on all of these to materialize there are likely to be revisions to even the best laid plans. Put off signing on the dotted line until after May 8 - sweet talk is your middle name after all. Long lost relatives and friends from distant locations or the past may brighten your door step. Life isn't all about obstacles nor gloom and doom, those are only the things that make us grow and improve.

For Scorpio the Gemini transits happen in the 8th house of finances, joint resources and debts and obligations. This is typically the month you fret about money the most. Try focusing on the haves not the don't haves and you'll feel better. The lack of something is more readily noticed but counting our blessings is not given the same importance. Time to reflect on those assets not necessarily money that you have acquired almost per chance.

For Sagittarius the area of relationships is brought to the forefront, choose words with care and be prepared to retract the foot if you forgot to consider your choice of words. Not the best of times to start new relationships as these may somehow begin on the wrong footing. I grew up being frequently reminded that if you can't think of anything nice to say, say nothing at all. The lunar eclipse in the 1st house emphasizes the relationship issue and your role in it. Relationships are give and take, not just one but both.

For Capricorn the house of work and chores, schedules and responsibilities to others comes under scrutiny. Trim down your schedule to manageable, learn to say no politely rather than give away all of your time. The perfect month to reduce clutter both literal and figurative. Don't let your workload tax your well being. You may like having several projects on the go at the same time, but at what cost?

For Aquarius this is typically the romantic month. Astrologically speaking, there are other items in this area of the chart, that don't necessarily spell out romance or anything closely resembling that. This is the house of both children and our creative endeavours, it is also the house of fun. So lighten up, have some fun and don't worry too much about the rippling waves of mis-communication. Listen more and talk less.

For Pisces the Gemini transits happen in the 4th house. This is home and hearth, family and parents. Time to nest, to tackle housework, re-modeling, spring cleaning and take time for reflection. This is one of those great periods to get to know yourself better. Entertain at home, particularly if going out is not in the stars for now, as leaving your nest may not be to your liking.

Astrologically Speaking

Gemini 2002 edition ...

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