Mercury retrograde has just kicked in. The energy crisis is intense in Europe and inflation is a fact. What is there to do? Well, as magickal people and witches we know there is always something that can be done. Even a minor change of mood, a glimpse of hope or a boost of determination can make a big change in the end of how we get through a crisis. So let´s take a look at the stars and see how they may assist us in navigating this rough terrain.

The Sun in Virgo: Time to Get Practical

The Sun is now in the sign of Virgo, the second of the earth signs of the Zodiac. The Virgo person can be the tidy and neat co-worker, but they may also be the professor whose hair is a mess “a la Einstein” and seems to spend most of their time connected to another time and place. The connection is that both of them have their things in order, in some way. The messy professor has their inner world, their mind and calculations in order. The co-worker has their outer world, their clothes and belongings in order. It may also be someone having their crystals, their plants, or tarots decks in order.

One of the many talents of people born in Virgo is their ability to make things more efficient and workable. Stuck in the mud? Don´t know where to start? Call a Virgo and they will gladly help you sort things out. Another way of spotting a person born with their sun, rising sign, or moon in Virgo is the eyes. They usually have very clear eyes that seem to sparkle with light.

Practical Magick is a Magic of Necessity

Mercury is the ruling planet of Virgo. But Mercury also rules the astrological sign of Gemini and the 3rd house (learning, study, ideas and thoughts). Because of this double ruling, Mercury can teach us on how to move from the world of the mind (Gemini, 3rd house) to the world of practical action (Virgo, 6th house). This is one of the reasons why many Virgos are excellent in working with practical magick, taking clever thoughts and ideas and putting them into practical day to day action.

Practical magick is a magick often born out of necessity. It´s about how to make the food on your table able to feed everyone around it. It´s about making the money last longer. How to make a family function and also warm and safe, even in difficult times.

Virgos house, the 6th house is also called the house of service. The 6th house ruled by Virgo is about our everyday lives and how to make them work. Today for many people, services are provided by faceless people we don´t know and might not even see in person. But in old times and still in small towns it is the butcher, the baker, the hairdresser or carpenter down the street. Service (Mercury) is about connection and information (ruling the nervous system). Knowing someone who knows someone who might be able to help, or who is known for doing a good job. At first glance it may not seem important, but everyone who has renovated their home or has been in need of repairing their car know how important it is to get the job done in a good and affordable way.

Right now we have both the Sun (me, self) and Venus (relationships) in the sign of Virgo. Later on the Mercury retrograde will also go into Virgo. On a personal plane we get assistance with earth magick, manifesting the things that we need for ourselves and for our families and friends. It is also a perfect time to reach out and connect with others. Exchange information, talents, ideas, and skills. You may be good at calculating numbers, someone else is knitting sweaters and socks for the winter or teaching how to cook efficiently and save money. How can your unique experience and talents help others, and how can the people around you help you?

On a collective higher plane nations and governments need to find a way for the everyday lives of people to function. Affording food, warming their houses, and getting to their jobs. With the help of this Virgo energy they can be assisted in finding practical solutions for not only themselves but also for their neighbouring countries and allies.

Mercury Retrograde

About three times a year Mercury goes retrograde. From our viewpoint on Earth it looks like Mercury is going backwards. When a planet goes into retrograde, the energy or quality of the planet is going inward instead of going outward, like Mercury, ruling thoughts and the mind. When in retrograde the thoughts go more inward, making it a great time for deep thinking and going over decisions again. This is great for authors, writers, and editors who finally can sit alone with their thoughts, undisturbed by other people. But it can be chaotic for people involved in service, communication, computer service, and the like because it causes confusion and technical problems. For example, you are recommended not to sign any important documents, buy a house, or make any major investments during Mercury retrograde. Like a void of course Moon, but lasting longer. That is probably a good advice. I think of it like things happening during Mercury retrograde is never the final word or ending of something. You will probably have to do it again or edit it in some way, kind of a double work.

Mercury Retrograde in Libra and Virgo

This Mercury retrograde begins in the sign of Libra (balance, justice, relationships) on the 9th (Sweden 10th) of September. On the 23rd it meets up and joins the Sun at 0 degrees in Libra. This is very strong because it is also the time of the Autumnal Equinox. When day and night is equally long, the balance between light and dark. Things to meditate about:

• How do I see the balance between light and dark within myself? Within society? In the world?
• What do I need to make peace with?
• Is there something that I could let go of, if I allowed myself to do so?
• What would that feel like?

At this time (around September 23rd) Mercury is in opposition to both Neptune (dreams, hopes,) and Jupiter (expansions, higher visions). Chances are that things might feel a bit tight and boxed in. If there is something that you can let go of to make the load a little bit lighter, it´s a good time for that.

Now Mercury continues backwards into its own sign Virgo and there it meets up with Venus. On the 27th they are only one degree apart. Here we get a chance to look at our relationships. Specially connected to siblings and friends (ruled by Mercury and the 3rd house). We also get help from Pluto (transformation, deep work) making a good aspect. Things to meditate about:

• Have there been any changes in my relationships with my siblings and friends?
• Is there something about me or them that I have worked through, or let go of? Inferiority complex? Not feeling worthy? Being targeted by envy, jealousy?
• What is my relationship to service?
• In what way can I serve my community, or the world of spirits (Pisces being the opposite sign of Virgo)?

Mercury retrograde ends on the 3rd of October at 24 degrees in Virgo.

Want to Do and Must Do

Moving back to here and now, we have the asteroid Ceres (mother, nourishment) in the sign of Leo (luxury, pleasure, easy life). That is about wanting the good life, indulging in some luxury, wanting that extra dinner and a night out on the town, or even that special chocolate box. “Give it to me, I need it”.

In direct opposition we have Saturn (structure, discipline, saying no) and Vesta (service, duty, the high priest/ess) in the sign of Aquarius (community, a higher perspective). This all means we have a conflict between what we want to do and what we need or must do.

Parents, be prepared for many discussions at home. Witches, high priests/esses, meditation and coven leaders be prepared to drag yourself to the workshops and meetings. The sofa, TV, and the chocolate may be calling you, but you know what is the right thing to do.

Why me? A look at the shadow

When I assist clients in healing work, both their own and the work that they provide for others, I look at Chiron (healing, wounding) and Lilith Black Moon (shadow, hidden gifts) in their charts. Together they give a good picture on what´s going on, what they may not be able to see and the potential that may be under the surface. Right now Lilith Black Moon and Chiron have teamed up in a challenging aspect! This means intense healing work for everyone.

Lilith Black Moon is at 16 degrees in Cancer (emotions, family, home) and Chiron is at 15 degrees in Aries (self, me, ego). At the moment, we may all get a portion of self-pity and self-importance to deal with. To be frank, there is only one piece of advice I can give and that is: stop whining, deal with it, go to work, get to class, work through it. Or if you are a leader: hold that class, start that group, take on new clients, do what needs to be done. It may be hard work but you will be happy about it later. The deeper the challenge – the bigger the reward.

To summarize: Earth magick is very strong right now. We get help with manifesting what we need and finding clever solutions. There is power in joining forces with family, friends and neighbours. We are moving into a deep and transformative phase.

I love the idea that these transits and aspects can help us to see our roles in the world in a new light. The planets, helping us to take a step forward and bring our gifts more out in the world. Sometimes what needs to be done outranks what we feel like doing. But when we get on with it, we might enjoy it a lot. More than we ever expected. Being of service is special in that way.

Blessed Be!
Karin Spirit Talker Turtle Red

Karin Ugander (Spirit Talker Turtle Red) is a spiritual channeler living in the south of Sweden. In Scandinavia she is known for the AstroNumerology and psychic readings she’s been doing for over 20 years. Together with her husband Niklas, she runs KaniSkolan, a school of astrology, numerology, tarot, StarCode Healing, and natural medicine. They are also the founders of Alven Inner Ring tradition, a Scandinavian mystery school with roots in shamanism and magick. Karin loves to create magickal oils, flower essences and sigils she combines in her “Karin Victoria” sigil candles and flower sprays. In her spare time she likes to travel, walk in the forest with her dog, and spend time by the ocean. Karin is an ordained high priestess and graduate of the Temple of Witchcraft’s seminary program. Her work can be found on Instagram @flowerpowerwitch and @karinuganderofficial and she can be reached at [email protected].