In a one-two punch of instinctual fire, Uranus and Mercury station retrograde in fire signs Aries and Leo into the weekend. What stands out for me, is going mano a mano with the creative spark. Uranus is the sparked big mind, considered the higher octave of Mercury, the messenger. A stellar time to look at your way of directing these inner instinctual impulses. Do you fear or back off from your creative power?
Uranus (radical breakthroughs) is retrograde July 13 to December 13th in headstrong, brave Aries. Uranus will form its second square to Pluto on September 19 at 6 degrees. The surges of Uranus Aries push out into new ground -- with force at times, with directness, courage and potency.
Look to the house Uranus is transiting in your birth chart. The retrograde of outer planets is subtle, but if it's engaging your natal planets, that's another story! Uranus is a kind of cosmic detonator, in Aries now, the sign of springing into the new. What's being physically aroused and awakened?
Mercury is retrograde in expressive fire sign Leo starting Saturday (July 14th to August 8th, 2012). This syncs with Uranus nicely, for the courage to be more vividly vocal, in your own way -- and in doing so, to forge (such a fire word) a new sense of who you're becoming. What do you lionize as meaningful? Mercury in the sign of the Lion helps us find our authentic and passion-tinged voice.
On Uranus in retrograde in 2012, Lynn Koiner writes, "It favors activities that require bursts of inventive and intuitive energy. It favors psychological counseling connected with freedom urges and disconnected patterns of relating."
Her phrase freedom urges brings to mind the connection between creativity and freedom. And the knowing we have, that's a relentless pressure, when we're not acting on what inspires. I see a way out of any creative stagnation or discouragement here, in bringing Mercury Leo's fixed focus back on your unique potential, natural inclinations -- what makes you feel charged from within and self-motivated.
Uranus is an outer planet whose trends are long range and societal. But here we revisit where the natural enthusiasms of the individual (Mercury Leo), and the path of bliss meet the unexpected opportunities of the moment! Uranus and Mercury form an auspicious trine on July 25th, so begin now to invite the muse to breathe life (inspiration) into your broken dreams, revive a passion or surprise you with something brand new.
Is it dramatic to say we could save the world, if each person fully realized their heart-led, creative potential? Those who study authoritarian trends see a link to passivity, demoralization, diverting of life force into meaningless distractions. A society where each person's unique creative spark is nurtured and encouraged, sounds like an ideal, and in our age, a bit radical. With Uranus and Mercury bringing the focus back to the unique vision of the self, we can say, "Let it begin with me."