PART 3 OF April 2014: A Most Intense & Beautiful Time!
* THE 3 RETROGRADES *
In this month of April,
we are also currently operating underneath the clouds/silver linings of the following 3 major retrogrades: Mars,
Saturn, and Pluto.
How
This Might be a “Good” Thing: Since all 3 of these planets are sometimes considered to have a more “malefic”
dimension, when they are in retrograde, we might get a temporary reprieve from their less positive or helpful energies of
aggression, pessimism, control-freakness or tyranny.
That means that you (or your lover, spouse, friend, teacher, boss, or other authority figures) might be a little
less “assertive”, aggressive, obsessed, or intense for a little while. With these 3 “malefic” planets
in retrograde, it is possible that someone or something might just “give” a little and lay off your case for a
while . Who knows? If you are the kind of person who is hard on yourself, maybe even YOU will lay off of your OWN case for
a little while, and learn to just relax and let life flow (smile).
GOING WITH THE FLOW
The above-mentioned scenario is the IDEAL, best and most positive possibility that can come out of these 3 planets
being retrograde right now. However, with all of the other tense cosmic shifts being activated this month, and also taking
into account the fact that 2 of these retrograde planets (Mars & Pluto) are involved in the powerful “Cardinal Grand
Cross” that is basically in effect for the entire month, it is possible (perhaps even likely) that we won't always experience
the “ideal” scenario in regards to these retrograde energies this month.
Particularly if we don't understand that a
retrograde is going on and what it actually “means”, we might create problems for ourselves by not “resting”
from the energies we are supposed to be resting from or laying off of, and trying to push forward in an inappropriate way.
Furthermore, I find that even when people DO understand the basic gist of a retrograde energy that is going on and
what kinds of activities they need to temporarily *refrain* from in order to have more harmony & peace during that time,
humans have this strange way of thinking that they are somehow “exempt” from cosmic energies, and will often choose
to do exactly the opposite of the thing that they know they should be doing during a retrograde cycle! (even when
they/we are fully informed) I call this “doing things the hard way”. Unfortunately, this approach seems to
be quite popular with many people!
Just so you know, you actually can choose to consciously go against
current Universal energy cycles (especially it relates to retrogrades) and have things turn out well sometimes. However,
in order to achieve “smooth sailing” while you are flying in direct opposition to current universal energies,
it has to be done with a certain subtlety and a very strong, conscious awareness. Most people come from an inner position
of “hubris” or arrogance when trying to go against the retrograde cycle flow, and therefore their actions usually
“backfire” and create unpleasant results for them.
It is for this reason that I usually recommend
that you do NOT attempt to go against the “dos and don'ts” of specific retrograde cycles, and that you DO go
ahead and rest, refrain from, or review the areas of life represented by the planet that is in retrograde at the time, rather
than trying to push forward in that area.
TIPS
for what to rest from & how to best proceed
With these 3 specific retrogrades currently in operation (Mars, Saturn, Pluto), here are some quick suggestions about what
you should either be resting from or laying off of for a little while OR reviewing, revamping, and renewing:
MARS RETROGRADE all the way until May 19th:
Rest
from pointing the finger or assigning the blame to others. Rest from being pushy, aggressive, or insisting on having your
own way with others right now (if you must have your own way, then do it on your own, and don't expect others to bow to your
wishes right now). Focus on cooperation, kindness and being there for others right now instead.
Also, be more AWARE of how the tendency to
put the responsibility for errors off on others is more easily triggered in you right now. “Lay low” and refrain
from being overly aggressive. Particularly if you are involved in a conflict or misunderstanding right now, remember that
the aggressor almost ALWAYS loses when Mars is in retrograde.
Instead of trying to “get your way”,
seek “win-win” solutions right now. Under the influence of Mars retrograde, you will benefit by being as cooperative,
generous, and giving as possible (as long as you do not give your power away or agree to do something that goes against your
sense of spiritual morality).
SATURN RETROGRADE all the way until July 20th:
Rest from worldly ambitions or trying too
hard or obviously to “get ahead” career wise or financially. Not a good time to seek promotion or praise. Be
humble or “low key” instead. It may be necessary to work harder for less money or material reward right now.
Good time to work “behind the scenes” on career matters, getting organized, receiving new training, or otherwise
getting better prepared for the time when a more fruitful period arrives once again (later this year).
You
are more likely to feel tired, low-energy or overwhelmed with work or family responsibilities during the time that Saturn
is in retrograde (especially if you have SCORPIO, CAPRICORN, AQUARIUS strong in your chart). During this time, you might
have to work harder than ever and for less obvious rewards. Therefore, concentrate on doing those things that bring their
own reward in the doing. Also if you can, avoid taking on any new responsibilities right now, rid yourself of any extra responsibilities
or commitments that you no longer wish to do, and be realistic about what you can reasonably handle & get done at this
time.
Regardless of your exact birth chart, with
all the intense energies at the present moment, you may find that your energy levels or lower, or that it just takes more
time to get stuff done.
If there were just a few pieces of advice that
I could give you about this shift, here is what they are/would be:
While Saturn is in retrograde, it is important
to MAKE yourself take time for fun, pleasure, and spiritual renewal, or otherwise you will burn-out quickly between now &
July.
Saturn is actually a very spiritual planet. When it goes retrograde, you might feel a bit as if you have
lost your spiritual connection, or like you have to spend so much time taking care of responsibilities or working to pay the
bills that you don't have time to meditate, pray, go to church, attend classes or retreats, or even take a walk. But you mustn't
let yourself become spiritually deprived during this time, or the rest of your life (including your productivity & income)
will suffer too!
PLUTO RETROGRADE all the way until September 22nd:
Give yourself a rest from obsessions, powerful passions or compulsions, and the tendency to be overly “intense”,
focused, or driving. Also, take a break from concentrating on psycho-analyzing yourself or others, or trying to re-make everyone
area of your life (or other people's lives, for that matter). Give the control-freakness a break for a little while too,
and go easy on any obsessive-compulsive style tendencies you have.
It's best to focus on INNER transformation
when Pluto is in retrograde, rather than trying to force changes on the outside world (this is especially true in regards
to relationships or finances. You can't count on other people's emotional or financial support as much right now (especially
with Saturn also in retrograde until May 19th) and you will probably have to learn to rely on yourself to take
care of you and also go WITHIN to find the emotional resources you need. You might encounter people with unscrupulous or
negative motivations during this time. If so, take the “high road” rather than stooping down to their level.
REST * RE-GROUP * RE-WORK * BE IN THE YIN
With all this retrograde energy afoot, now is a good time for working behind the scenes, getting extra rest, and
slowing down and taking time to nurture yourself and really thinking things through BEFORE you act.
In general, retrograde periods are a good
time for RE-GROUPING and RE-CENTERING. With both Mars & Saturn retrograde this month (one the planet of Action
& Motivation, the other the planet of structure, responsibility, career, and worldly success), you may feel “foggy”
or confused or as if you don't know which direction to go in. Or it may seem that you are doing all the “right things”
but that you are not receiving the RESULTS you have expected from the actions you are taking.
If you resonate with EITHER of these feelings,
then it is time to concentrate on getting re-grouped and re-structuring your life so that it can better support whatever it
is you are trying to attract or manifest. You might need to RE-view & change the way you are doing things. All retrogrades
carry a bit of the feminine, Yin energy....when we are under the influence of the Yin, it is always best to look around you
and see how you can best adapt & respond to the situation & to the needs of those around you, rather than
trying to forcefully move forward with your own agenda.
THIS TOO SHALL PASS
Also, remember that this too shall pass.
For now, concentrate on letting your spiritual self guide your worldly actions, and rest for a little while from
being so intense or obsessed with goals or making change.
This
doesn't mean you can't still move forward with making some changes, it just means that it needs to be done in a more laid-back
and relaxed way right now. And even more importantly, it is extremely beneficial in this current moment to concentrate on
GRATITUDE & APPRECIATION for what you already have, rather than focusing on lack or letting yourself get all anxious or
upset about what you do not have or wish you had.
I hope you found this helpful. And in the spirit of gratitude & appreciation,
I would like to say that I appreciate YOU, dear newsletter reader!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
End
of 3 Part Series
P.S. To stay up-to-date with energy
shifts and how they affect you, please refer to "Cynthia's Cosmic Almanac" for the current year. If you don't
have a copy, you can get more info about ordering on this website by clicking on Cosmic Almanac on the navigation
bar for this site. Blessings!
