Mystix The Woke - Astrology SOS

Published in 2021 by Hardie Grant Books, an imprint of Hardie Grant Publishing

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Copyright text The Woke Mystix

Copyright illustrations Jordan Amy Lee

Author Breana Powell

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data. A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Astrology SOS

eISBN: 9781784884086

Publisher: Kajal Mistry

Editorial Assistant: Alexandra Lidgerwood

Designer: Claire Warner Studio

Illustrations: Jordan Amy Lee

Copy-editor: Tara OSullivan

Proofreader: Jamie Ambrose

Indexer: Cathy Heath

Production Controller: Sinead Herring

Contents

Have you ever felt like your astrology star sign was really just the world judging your book by its cover, making assumptions about you based on a few characteristics? As with most things, theres more to astrology than meets the eye. Astrology SOS is a survival guide to help you navigate the turbulent energy of our solar system and pay attention to how it affects our daily lives.

Astrology has been with us since the beginning of time. The people of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome all looked to the stars in search of a better understanding of themselves. Expanding our knowledge of astrology can help us comprehend the science and energy behind the system that affects how we sleep, operate, communicate and even love. Sometimes how we respond in different situations goes beyond our actions: its actually written in the stars.

Astrology can predict future outcomes and show you how, historically, theyve been in alignment with all your major life moments. A better understanding of the planetary energy that is moving around you can actually aid you as you find your path through life, and support you as you move across the astrological terrain. In short: astrology can explain why things are happening, and this book can be your road map.

The Woke Mystix started as a podcast. We came together to spark inclusive and relatable conversation about spirituality and astrology. Before the podcast, we met while both working in fashion and bonded over our love of spirituality. On paper, we seem very similar, both being biracial, creative, outside-the-box spiritual thought-leaders, but our different backgrounds and upbringings allow us to provide a well-rounded view from two different perspectives. Imani grew up with her intuitive mother, practising with angel cards and mediumship as a young child. In adulthood, this paved the way for her spiritual career and initiation as a Quantum Oracle. Ellens grandmother was the first one to introduce her to astrology, which then inspired an interest in the occult. She is now a practising tarot reader and astrologer.

As we have navigated our own and spiritual journeys, we have found tools that have helped us deal with the unexpected challenges that come from retrogrades, moon phases and incompatible relationships. Whether you are new to Western astrology and your spiritual path, or are looking for ways to go deeper, we got you! The Woke Mystix want to nurture the self-empowerment that can come through debunking myths, aligning with the stars and enhancing your self-care hacks.

If youve recently broken up with your partner, it might be useful to know if Venus, the planet of love, is in retrograde. If you and your housemate are constantly arguing, it may be that your moon signs, which affect how you process emotions, are not compatible. Huge life events and essential communication, from choosing a romantic partner to finding the best time to ask your boss for a promotion, can all be determined by astrology. This book is meant to help you understand what is going on with the planets at any given moment, so that you can work your way through lifes challenges with fewer headaches.

Within each section, you will find the myths, history and common occurrences associated with each transit, along with self-care advice to help you get through them. Find out how to navigate retrogrades, eclipses, equinoxes and day-to-day upheavals so that youre never left in the dark again. With these tools, you can learn when it is a good time to be looking for a new career, understand how to take care of yourself when going through a bad break-up, and discover how to accept when a loss is divine intervention. We are all made up of the same stardust as the planets in our universe. Dive into our self-care hacks and planetary tools to move with the universe, becoming more aligned with its natural navigation system. With this book, you can gain awareness of relationship compatibilities, discover your own passions, understand karmic lessons, and find fulfilment in your own self-mastery.

Knowing which planets are in retrograde can forewarn us of the madness before it arrives.

Retrogrades

We may not be able to rewind time, but retrogrades give us the opportunity to revisit past scenarios and reflect on our choices. Even if you think youve moved on from a past situation, retrogrades are here to put you to the test. Retrogrades are infamously known to cause slowdowns and interruptions to our plans, which is why they are a time when we are encouraged to take things easy. Retrogrades can last anywhere from a few weeks to six months, and sometimes there are multiple retrogrades occurring at one time! Dont forget: each retrograde has a shadow period. This is when we begin to see the effects of the retrograde before it truly begins we may even still be dealing with the energy left over from a recently ended retrograde!

Retrogrades are likely to shake things up and give us opportunities to reconnect with our higher selves. Each planet highlights a certain area, such as communication, love, karmic patterns, rebirth and more. Resolutions and resolve are key themes of retrograde periods, helping us move with confidence when the planet goes direct. When a planet goes direct, it returns to moving in a forward motion. Knowing which planets are in retrograde can forewarn us of the madness before it arrives. In this chapter, we share tips on how to manage retrogrades, including coping skills and ideas for self-care soothing. Theres a lot to cover here, which is why this chapter is so long, but being armed with this knowledge can make all the difference.

Is it me or is it Mercury Retrograde?

Its always important to hold ourselves accountable for our actions, but knowing when Mercury is in retrograde gives us a framework so that we can be less reckless and move with intention. Mercury is the ruler of communication, technology and travel. It is named after the messenger of the Roman gods. In Western astrology, Mercury is the ruler of Virgo and Gemini. It is also the fastest-moving planet in our orbit, which is why it retrogrades three to four times a year, and these retrogrades can last for three-and-a-half weeks. So, how do you survive a Mercury Retrograde? We cant promise that casualties wont happen, but being prepared for the unexpected can ease the chaos. On the following pages, we have listed some common occurrences of Mercury Retrograde.