The planet Mercury, Messenger of the Gods, ruler of the signs of Gemini and Virgo, represents the mind; our connection between spirit and matter. Mercury symbolizes the power of communication and our ability to interpret and make sense of what we perceive and experience.

This year Mercury is in the sign of Pisces from February 8th-April 16th. Since Mercury usually moves through an entire thirty degree sign in about three weeks this extended journey through Pisces is notable. You may already have seen or felt the effects in your life.

Mercury, has just completed the first of three retrograde phases of its cycle for this year. Mercury “goes retrograde” three times a year for approximately three weeks before resuming forward motion. During the retrograde cycles we revisit the ground covered in the recent and distant past. Anything with the prefix re- is favored, return, reconsider, refinance, retreat, realize, restore, recapitulate, remind, remember, respond, reply, responsibility, reward, etc. People and things return to us under Mercury retrograde cycles, lost ideas or incomplete projects are up for reconsideration. It is time to pick up the dropped threads and either weave them into the tapestry of our lives or decide to cut them and be done with them.

Mercury has been floating through the spiritual, imaginative, twelfth and final sign of the zodiac, Pisces, since February 8th dissolving old, outdated thought processes, and ways of communication. While in Pisces, Mercury’s natural logic and analysis give way to more nebulous right-brain activities. You may find you are more prone to daydreaming and flights of fancy, now. Imagination is stimulated and fantasy reigns supreme as cold hard facts are hard to pin down in this spacey atmosphere of the ideal and the surreal.

During Mercury’s recent three week retrograde cycle in Pisces (March 3rd-25th) you may have gained insight into some of the things that once were true and valuable for you but no longer offer the same benefits because either you have changed, the situation has changed or your life is calling you in new directions today.

While Mercury is in Pisces, we are more apt to consider having a sense of purpose and meaning in our lives a priority, and are more inclined to release old concepts and ways of communicating that no longer work. It is easier now to see that which we value and can embrace with compassion. Looking at where we’ve been in order to integrate past experiences, clean up loose ends, and catch up with the activity of the recent or even distant past is indicated.

Now that Mercury has resumed direct motion, and is making its final sweep through Pisces for this year we can look forward to greater clarity and imagination. Pisces favors photography, dancing, images, art, theatre, the oceans, beaches, fishing and all things spiritual. Enjoy

© 2006 Jodi Flesberg Lilly

Light In Motion—Intuition*Astrology*Insight

A newly published report from the Earth Policy Institute says that wind energy power is now cheaper than convention sources in at least two areas: Austin, Texas and Colorado. The report also says that this trend is will likely be seen in other parts of the U.S. It was during the fall of 2005 that climbing natural gas prices pulled conventional electricity costs above those of wind-generated electricity. Austin Energy, the publicly owned utility in Austin, Texas, buys wind-generated electricity under 10-year, fixed-price contracts and passes this stable price on to its GreenChoice subscribers. (click for more)

Until recently I had no idea there was a national community dedicated to encouraging and supporting adults in recovering and affirming their playful spirit and creating community, among many other things. The organization is called InterPLAY and has a program coming up here in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you’ve been looking for an opportunity to play, this should be that and more.

TN Mountain UNtensive-Earth Day SpringFest
April 21-22-23
Knoxville, Tennessee

Three FULL Days of Play at Riverdale School and Workshops/BodySpirit Celebrations and more in a great spacious rural location featuring Masankho Banda, Meg MacLeod, Diane Saliba Ault and 25+ InterPlay leaders from 9 states.

A sampling of the workshops includes:
African Inspired Dance, Drumming IS Dancing!, HeArt Play, Lightening Up with Yoga, FLOWetry, Simply Stories- Building Cross Cultural Community through Play!, Embodying the Enneagram, The Spiritual Spoken Word, Music 4 the Moment!, The Sensuous Mystic, Health through Movement and many more.

More about the upcoming workshop in Knoxville (link to their site)

What is InterPLAY? (link to their site)

The morning breeze comes back
and from the southern desert
the lapwing returns
The dove’s soft song about roses
I hear that again.

The tulip, who understands what the lily says,
went away, but now she’s back.

With the sound of a bell,
strength and gentleness.

Hafiz broke his vow and damaged his heart,
but now, for no reason, his Friend forgives that,
and turns, and walks back up to his door.

—Hafiz