Global Astrology in April-May 2005 - A look back at the retrograde as we quickly progress to the future

by Robert Wilkinson

Now that the T-squares are over and Mercury is rapidly speeding up, it's time to make quick progress in whatever you're doing. The Mercury retrograde definitely brought us unexpected news, even though I experienced the front end of it quite favorably. For many, though, there were delays, frustrations, challenges, things not as expected, reversals and one step forward five steps to the side two back and one to the side and two forward, to paraphrase a friend I spoke with. This retrograde brought us two significant deaths and what I suspect is a sea change in the momentum of government direction.

It is interesting to note that Princess Diana and Mother Teresa both died under a Mercury retrograde. Well, the Pope died and Prince Charles wed under this Mercury retrograde. Some sort of strange symmetry there. Other Mercury retrograde events were of interest, such as the report of the discovery in the astronomical world that one of the timeless mysteries has been solved regarding who was the pre-eminent astronomer-astrologer of ancient Greece. There has been controversy for some time as to who came up with the first accurate star chart in Greece. Well, due to some interesting sleuthing, Ptolemy, author of "The Amalgest," is no longer regarded as the originator of our present knowledge, having been replaced (rightfully so) by his elder, the venerable Hipparchus whose star positions and magnitudes are now considered to pre-date Ptolemy. This might seem obscure, but it deals with the foundations of modern astronomy, no small thing. The reversing of historical assumptions we have taken for granted is another quality to Mercury retrograde.

In retrogrades things from the past return to haunt villains and criminals, and we've seen that in the revelations about Tom DeLay's quasi-legal behavior, which signals a shift in power in the House of Representatives, and the confessions of Eric Rudolph, the Olympic bomber, finally putting that part of the past to rest. And then there's the discovery of the almost perfectly preserved Mammoth here in Southern California, another retrograde manifestation. Well, thank heaven it's past as prologue to future, so say goodbye to reflections and returns and prepare to get on the rocket ship.

Mercury goes stationary direct tomorrow, so don't forget to pack your sense of humor and perspective when you do your life these next dozen weeks. Be objective, keep anticipating, keep unveiling, accept your higher responsibilities, and accept that you've hit the end of one quest, with another beckoning. Get the knowlege you need, find the humor in situations, and try to see people as human beings rather than objects for you to project on. It's a great time for detachment, seeing the big picure, and finding friends and allies that can make the whole strangeness more palatable.

For now through the end of April, efficiency should become easy, as should finding new forms of play, self-expression, and creativity. Follow through, don't try to over-control things, and focus, focus, focus. Unusual ways of interacting with others is favored, as is cutting to the chase. Some will experience a RADICAL transformation during the last week of April which will introduce them to a whole different way of relating to other people as well as their own lives.

© Copyright 2006 Robert Wilkinson. Last update: 8/27/2006; 10:53:03 AM.