Rachel Stuart-Haas - Mercury in Retrograde: And Other Ways the Stars Can Teach You to Live Your Truth, Find Your Power, and Hear the Call of the Universe

Rachel Stuart-Haas

Mercury in Retrograde

And Other Ways the Stars Can Teach You to Live Your Truth, Find Your Power, and Hear the Call of the Universe

The House Your Stars Built

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First Tiller Press hardcover edition June 2021

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Stuart-Haas, Rachel, author. Title: Mercury in retrograde : and other ways the stars can teach you to live your truth, find your power, and hear the call of the universe / Rachel Stuart-Haas.

Description: New York : Tiller Press, [2021] |

Identifiers: LCCN 2020054921 (print) | LCCN 2020054922 (ebook) | ISBN 9781982165086 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781982165109 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Mercury (Planet)--Miscellanea. | Astrology.

Classification: LCC BF1724.2.M45 S78 2021 (print) | LCC BF1724.2.M45 (ebook) | DDC 133.5/33dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020054921

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020054922

ISBN 978-1-9821-6508-6

ISBN 978-1-9821-6510-9 (ebook)

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W ant to know a dirty little secret? Astrology works. The only issue is that nobody knows how. Perhaps one day very soon, scientists will discover what astrologers have suspected for thousands of years, that the planets have a strong correlation with our daily activities. Astrology is not a religion nor is it any sort of witchcraft. Its the study of the planets, stars, seasons, asteroids, and comets. The planets are affecting you right now. Whether you are aware of it or not.

Sure, we all know folks get a little wild during a full moon. Ocean tides swell and animals scurry about more than usual. Its even crucial for the migration of many birds. One Swiss sleep study found that during the full moon, electroencephalogram (EEG) delta activity during NREM sleep, an indicator of deep sleep, decreased by 30 percent, time to fall asleep increased by five minutes, and EEG-assessed total sleep duration was reduced by twenty minutes. These changes were associated with a decrease in overall sleep quality and reduced melatonin levels. Andget thisthose changes happened even when folks didnt know anything about the lunar phase.

And all of this activity can be traced back to our teeny, tiny, itty bitty Moon. So, just imagine how the other planetssome 11.2 times larger than the diameter of Earthare affecting our lives.

Is it any wonder that when people are going through a Saturn Transit (when Saturn in the sky forms angles or aspects to planets in your own natal chart) they feel more realistic, ready for work, and a little bit blah. What about a Venus Transit? Would you be surprised to learn that when the Planet of Love comes through your chart, people are usually sexier and more sensual, and they love to dress up a bit more? How can we not feel the effects of all these heavenly bodies swirling around in the sky? We are all made of stardust after all.

WHAT IS A TRANSIT? A moving planet is a transiting planet. At every moment, those planets are moving and affecting you, me, and everyone else on Earth. Well discuss them in more depth in Chapter Two.

Then theres the infamous Mercury in Retrograde. Retrograde means that a planet appears to reverse direction here on Earth. This optical illusion happens for a few weeks, three to four times a year, and since Mercury is the planet of communication, its often considered a prime time for conflict and miscommunications.

Its amazing how the placement of the planets at the time of someones birth can predict their personality, who theyre attracted to, even what fulfills their soul. But because we spend so much time talking about our Sun sign, or other elements of our birth charts, we tend to forget that astrology is actually all about free will. Our destinies arent predetermined. You dont have to jump when the planets say so; no celestial body can force you to think or act in a particular way. They can, though, nudge us in the right direction. And we astrologers would absolutely advise you to listen to the energies of the Universe when it comes to the best time to date, find a job, or ask for a raise. Think of it this way: Imagine there is an island just off a beach. You can reach it with dry feet during low tide, or wet feet in high tide. Nothing is stopping you either way, but if you wait for low tide, the journey will be much easier. The energies and auspices of the Universe work the same way, and if you know how to read the stars you can align your actions with moments when the Universe works for you, rather than against you.

People have been looking toward the sky since the dawn of time. Astrology is an ancient tool that can help identify your highest potential, greatest needs, and even your biggest challenges. Early evidence shows lunar cycle drawings on caves dating as far back as 25,000 years ago. Babylonians and Egyptians have used the powers of astrology; so have kings and queens, presidents, and even billionaires. And you can, too! You dont have to be psychic to learn astrology. Its more like learning a new languagethe language of the stars. And the best way to do it is to practice on your friends and family, and often.