By any chance have you been feeling “extra aware” of something in some way, yet not as able to direct what you’re noticing into definitive action the way you usually can? Guess what happens at 9:42 pm EST tonight? Mercury stations retrograde in Sagittarius!

Do you see a leaf or a shadow face in profile? Or both? Welcome to the world of Mercury the Trickster playing with perceptions… Photo by Amanda Painter.

And guess what I’ve been trying to focus my mind to do for at least a week? Write something or record a video about Mercury stationing retrograde! (Along with Mars, which stations retrograde on Dec. 6 in Leo.)

It has almost felt like my mind and my astrology charts have been a couple of magnets with the same polarity: I’d sit down to look at the printout, then my mind and the symbols on the paper seemed to push each other away. I actually did get a couple of notes scribbled down a week or more ago. But I’d had this vision of doing a “year-end astrology overview” video, and then Pluto entering Aquarius grabbed my attention, and then…

Which is annoyingly appropriate: Mercury in Sagittarius in a natal chart often describes someone with the sincerest intentions but who struggles to follow through on them. It seems to relate to how quickly their thoughts blaze off, like shooting stars. When there’s always another exciting idea or perception to understand, it takes a lot of effort to return to a previous one.

Keep that image in mind if you start to get frustrated with someone, including yourself, as you try to nail down plans (and get prepared for Thanksgiving, if you’re in the U.S.). Remind yourself that the overall mental environment we’re all moving through is a little…loose…at the moment.

You may not be in the habit of “saying grace” before your meals, but the concept of offering grace to anyone who seems to be complicating your plans feels like a useful one this week.

Mercury in Sagittarius describes a very perceptive mind — but one that needs focusing and directing. I also see a description of some mental and physical restlessness in the current astrology.

If that speaks to you, are you able to connect the restlessness to an action that could help resolve it? Mercury stationing in a tense aspect to Neptune in Pisces suggests there might be some confusion or even denial around what needs to be done. It’s okay if a couple false starts are part of the process of getting clearer.

Jupiter, the great exaggerator, is also in contact with Mercury — from directly across the zodiac in Gemini, Mercury’s home sign. This could easily describe either an enhancement of your perception, or an amplification of monkey-mind tendencies. Or both.

Getting out of your head and into tangible tools could help a lot. I’m thinking checklists, backward engineering (starting with your goal, and working through each thing that has to happen in reverse sequential order), talking through options and observations with another person, taking voice notes while walking or running, posting a question to FB or an online forum.

Given the social natures of the signs Gemini and Sagittarius, real-time conversations — in-person, on the phone, or live video calls — feel like an especially useful tool. They also allow less room for typos and misinterpretation of tone compared to texts and emails.

Looking ahead a little bit, we have the New Moon in Sagittarius on Dec. 1. And then Mars — planet of physical energy, volition, desire, and anger — stations retrograde in early Leo. I’ll have more to say about those events in the next week or two.

For now, I want to note that Mars in Leo is very slow right now, which might feel like someone’s gently pressing on the brakes despite all you need to do. Yet the Sagittarius Sun is beaming in a supportive relationship to Mars currently. And slow equals powerful in astrology.

My takeaway: the more consciousness you can bring to your desires, needs, and perceptions — even the vague, intuitive hints fluttering around the periphery — the more likely you are to tap into the actions that will help you move forward.

You’ve got this! Mind the details and double-check them. Pack extra patience and deep, cleansing breaths if you’re traveling this week. Don’t assume an email or text without a reply means the worst, and actually **call** to clarify or confirm. Ask for help if you’re feeling stressed, lonely, or anxious about fraught political family conversations. Make time for anyone reaching out to you who is struggling.

Even just a few minutes of attention, connection, and empathy may be just the grace any of us needs this week to bring us back to full presence.

With love,

Amanda

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