The Backward Dance to Moving Forward
By Isis Ward
New Moon Gemini, 2001
Mars and Neptune went retrograde on the 11th of May, inspiring us to examine our dreams and desires before acting on them. Both planets remain retrograde throughout June when Mercury will also seem to turn backwards in its own sign of Gemini. There, in Gemini, the sign of communication and novelty, Jupiter, Saturn and the Sun are all hanging around getting mixed up and excited by the infinite possibilities that life offers. Clearly, we are in for some exciting times in June-especially towards Summer Solstice when a solar eclipse is due. But, I digress (expect a lot of digression and distraction in the next couple of weeks-look at this as a preview).
The main question remains how are these energies likely to help or hinder one on the warrior's path? Now is a time when we get to reexamine our desires, feelings and operant beliefs about the world. Firstly, are they really our own and secondly are they true? With Mars retrograde, we have the option of getting extremely frustrated. We also have the option of taking our actions and ourselves far less seriously.
During this time, that which we believed we wanted isn't happening in the time frame we may have planned. Neptune lends a hand by sending dreams that fool with our self-image and ideals (as well as generally spacing us out and bringing a desire for escapist behavior). It is hard to seize anything with Mars dancing backwards, but we can seize the moment to play with different realities. If one experiences frustration in a particular scenario, one can simply pretend to be a different person in the same situation.
For example, if one's mate has found a button to push, one can respond habitually or one can pretend to be Marge Simpson, a very patient woman with fascinating hair. Of course, one could equally pretend to be any of the Simpsons, with varying results in one's relationship.
On a more serious note, with all the twisty backwards energy we are feeling and will experience even more deeply, the most profound learning becomes available from diving in deeply rather than resisting. Try meditating in a spinal twist position, in wheel pose or getting into lotus, if you don't do so regularly. Then try moving across the room in the posture.
These postures hold one still for cultivation, while proving that not all times and positions are apt for forward motion. Some demand stillness and some invite creative motion. Of course this seems obvious if one considers it, but how often do we stop and consider when the ego is driving us or when we are on automatic?
Every day we are in new positions, but often we insist on acting as if they are exactly the same as what we experienced yesterday and move accordingly-only to fall on our faces. Seeming loss, delays or setbacks that can be experienced with retrograde planets are usually an invitation to play with belief systems, reactions and the will. See how getting what you want can turn you around while getting what you haven't pursued can gift you with a whole new self view.
Play with thinking differently about how you experience the world. The retrograde planets emphasizing fire and air invite us to step out of the trap of identity and assumptions about our desires. We may come back to them with a few new tools...or we may find that we can be perfectly new people every day. While the planets whirl about in Gemini making communication a little unusual, try on a new face or voice. Try twisting yourself up to get a direct view of what else is possible.
Isis Ward is available for readings and healing sessions at the Toltec Center of Creative Intent in Berkeley. 415-720-7338 x 3
Bright Blessings ~Isis Ward
http://www.ecstaticarts.com
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