It occurs to me there is a pervasive expectation that goes something like this: it is possible to always move forward with no problems or setbacks if we just align ourselves correctly. Thing is life is a constant process of two steps forwards and one or more steps back!
In my opinion, this unrealistic expectation has to do with how far most that live in industrialized countries are from close contact with the natural world. We have become accustomed to being able to move around freely, communicate with one another instantly and run to the local market to buy out of season fruits and veggies. Not being able to do any of those is regarded as a huge inconvenience instead of a regular part of daily life as it was only fifty years ago.
Last weekend my husband and I drove a couple of hundred miles to visit family. Yes, the very weekend Mercury stationed retrograde in Taurus. We took the scenic route when possible, enjoyed the spring flowers and incredibly fragrant air. After we got there, my husband installed a laundry sink-counter for the kids while I played with my grandbaby and visited with her mom. And we took another slow, scenic route coming home and generally had a pleasant relaxing time of it. No Mercury Rx hitches what so ever. I can only imagine what my Aries spouse who doesn’t believe in astrology would have said if I told him we can’t go this weekend because Mercury is stationing retrograde and traveling is out.
Today the Sun, Mercury and Venus are all in patient Taurus and in my sixth house. Saturn is back in Virgo, Pluto is in Capricorn and the Moon, Jupiter and Uranus are all in water signs. It is a great time to tackle projects requiring patience, thoroughness and tact – not so good for zipping around expecting instant results. Think of all those folks sitting in airports due to a certain volcanic eruption and be thankful if you are not one of them.
Speaking of volcanic activity, Steve Judd tossed out a thought on the upcoming Jupiter-Uranus conjunction in Aries and air travel that I found unsettling and I haven’t traveled by air in years! Go here to read what he has to say. Volcanic activity shutting down air travel for months or longer?! Yikes!
Anyone else have feedback on this Mercury Rx phenomena?
Libra Seeking Balance 
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Glad you’re back, neith. {{{}}} Been reading Barbara Kingsolver’s Plant, Animal, Miracle where she and her family moved full-time to Virginia and lived totally local (except for olive oil/flour) for a year. She talks a lot about running out to the market for out-of-season food. The big thing her family missed was bananas. And fresh fruit in the winter. Made me look into getting some chickens (evil smiley grin). Can’t do it, however, cuz my lot is too small for the Houston chicken laws.
Eve also traveled this weekend with no problems. In fact, this Merc Rx seems to be pretty smooth so far. Around here, Merc Rx usually manifests itself in the notwork not working. Plus all this waiting in airport terminals is where a Kindle comes in handy — easier to handle and travel with than a book. Plus you can download more when you finish one.
I am now investigating making own cheese and beer. I seem to be on a total self-sufficient kick these days.
hee…you should read the above-mentioned book just for the little essay on “turkey sex”…hugely funny.
Made me look into getting some chickens (evil smiley grin).
LOL! My Aries spouse is tearing down an ancient tractor shed and is going to build a chicken house/run in the same place. Hopefully we’ll have chickens & fresh eggs by late summer! And they will be eating bolted lettuce, etc.
I am now investigating making own cheese and beer. I seem to be on a total self-sufficient kick these days.
When it comes to this kind of thing, I trust your instincts especially with your Taurus ASC and the recent Uranus transit to your Pisces Sun. Besides, it sounds like fun to me . . . smelly but fun! 🙂
diane~
“I can only imagine what my Aries spouse who doesn’t believe in astrology would have said if I told him we can’t go this weekend because Mercury is stationing retrograde and traveling is out.”
Hee hee!
Diane, when you mentioned bread baking on Twitter yesterday, I wanted to do a happy dance with you. Over the weekend, I’d decided to enroll in an intensive bread-baking course in the city. My dream is to attend culinary school, but it is so expensive right now and pursuing a degree in Communications in the meantime at a very affordable school made more sense.
So when I figured out that I could still take up culinary or baking courses without breaking the bank, I felt like I was on cloud nine for sure! Five days long, six hours per day of bread-baking. Holy cow!
Love to you and yours,
Deb
Hey Deb!
So when I figured out that I could still take up culinary or baking courses without breaking the bank, I felt like I was on cloud nine for sure! Five days long, six hours per day of bread-baking. Holy cow!
No kidding!! That sounds like heaven to me too! Will you learn to make what they are calling “artisan” breads? I’ve played around with sourdough, flat breads, tortillas, whole grains, etc. One of the best things about making one’s own bread is being able to make it just the way you want. I need to eat a high fiber diet, so I add 1/2 cup of oat bran to my usual whole wheat/unbleached white flour bread w/a little olive oil.
As you can see, I’m into it too . . . 😀
I know you have a wonderful time!
diane~
I hear ya on the modifications. Very good for you stuff, oat bran. Makes for yummy muffins, too. With raisins. I like raisins.
Yes, it’s an artisanal bread-baking course! I’m very excited and twitchy (and hope I don’t eat all the challah). There are sessions offered by this school, too, about gluten-free baking, etc. I’d like to learn about that in the future as well because of the allergies out there.
I bet you’d give the greatest knitting and baking classes, Diane. Damn this thousands-of-miles distance between us!
Love experimenting with ethnic/artisan breads. It’s even better if you have access to the flour from the region. In general the flour used in European bakeries is different from the flours we have available here. I add extra high gluten flour to my breads for more protein and a dense, springy texture.
One of the tests the doc ordered for me was to test for celiac disease, or the inability to digest gluten. Apparently not a problem (which I had already figured out . . .)
I bet you’d give the greatest knitting and baking classes, Diane. Damn this thousands-of-miles distance between us!
Yeah . . . darn. We’d have fun! 😀
diane~
Great perspective and one I will keep in mind if I become frustrated with technology especially, perhaps thwart it in the bud by taking this slower approach.
Hey Karen,
One thing I’ve noticed about good tech people, is they are persistent as all get out. Something they have in common with good mechanics. My Taurus Sun/Cappy Moon uncle was a great mechanic and he moved slow but steady.
Funny, we associate technology with Uranus & Aquarius but the best techs I’ve known have been earth types, especially Virgos. Detail oriented, calm and tenacious. hmmmmmmmm
diane~
It’s true what you say regards Aquarius. I should be ‘amazing’ with Aqua rise but am not, although I love technology from a user point of view. My Earth’ettes are far more adept, even the Ram beats me hands down! Aquarius is off with the fairies following Pisces most days me thinks! Too busy attempting to solve complexities it will never touch!
Aquarius is off with the fairies following Pisces most days me thinks! Too busy attempting to solve complexities it will never touch!
LOL! I’ve noticed this about Aquarius/Uranus people . . . they LOVE the latest & greatest bit of tech but will forget to back up their computers until after it crashes. 🙂
My webbie, Dixie Vogel, is an excellent example of what makes a great tech person. She has lots of Virgo plus Uranus aspects and Mars in Scorpio for tenacity.
I do OK for someone who didn’t start working with computers until after I turned 50. Sun-Moon both trine Uranus w/Virgo MC and Mars/Mercury in Scorpio.
diane~
Ok, I’ve decided I have to write an astrologically-minded cookbook after reading everyone’s comments here!
With Merc Rx in Taurus maybe it’s time to “re”visit my alma mater and post some earthy bread recipes. Oh, this is divine. Taurus power!
Ok, I’ve decided I have to write an astrologically-minded cookbook after reading everyone’s comments here!
Yeah!! If you decide you want more feedback and put together a questionnaire, send one my way. I have Taurus on the cusps of both 6th & 7th houses for what that’s worth.
diane~
You’re so right, Diane. Our level of frustration with the transits, Mercury retrograde in particular, has much to do with our expectations concerning how things should occur. For instance I know that whenever I want to send a letter or a parcel, which is often enough, the stamp machine never works. So now I never expect it to work – better this way hehe
Oh, I forgot to add!
Regarding the frustrating air travel issues here in Europe due to the Volcano, yes it has been nerve-wrecking for people having to be somewhere else, staying at airports, constantly asking where they could leave, plans ruined, etc.
But when they decided to give up their schedules and their appointments (because there was objectively nothing they could do), they booked train tickets, traveled at a slow pace and had a great time (I saw many like this on the news, not everyone was this happy of course, but you get the picture).
Hey DM!
For instance I know that whenever I want to send a letter or a parcel, which is often enough, the stamp machine never works. So now I never expect it to work – better this way hehe
Exactly! Sometimes I wonder how we ended up with what seems like never ending acceleration?
Heh – Love traveling by train myself! The idea of traveling on a train like the Orient Express, with all the bells & whistles, is very appealing. 🙂
diane~
Well I had a touch of the Merc RX this week. Ordered the Alpaca yarn from the Mill. Arrived Wed to find they’d changed the fineness of the yarn & made it thicker “in case it broke on the machine” but hadn’t told me before I arrived. At £85 ($135) a kilo I was disappointed that they wouldn’t/couldn’t supply what had been ordered. Took it anyway just in case something good could come out of it.
Cut a long story short, the yarn knitted up fine but couldn’t be finished as the thicker yarn wouldn’t thread through the needle of the overlocking machine to finish the edges. So I have spent the last 24 hours talking, confirming, re-confirming and making absolutely sure that next week the 2nd batch of yarn will be as required.
Even the journey of 300 miles in 8 hours (across country roads so takes ages in the UK) wasn’t without a couple of wrong turns but we kept cool and got home safely.
Rossa
PS Can you get hold of Spelt wheat flour in the US? It has a higher fibre content than 100% wholemeal flour. Spelt is the original wheat from centuries ago from which modern varieties originated. May help in the diet, Diane. Also seeds will add more fibre if you don’t mind getting them stuck in your teeth some times. If you can find flax/hemp seeds they are also a good source of Omega 3 which can help ladies of a certain age….
Forgot to mention. If you can find Spelt it only needs a single prove and can be used in no-prove bread recipes. Also takes a bit more water so the dough is “sloppy”. Mix up, throw in bread tin and straight into the oven. Bakes for longer about 50-60 mins and best to take out of the bread tin about 10 mins before the end and bake directly on the shelf.
Makes a much more basic loaf but you get all the texture you might want from a high fibre bread. I’ll dig out my recipe and email it to you to try. It also makes a “slipper” roman style bread much like an italian ciabatta but not as light and without the holes in it.