Today is the dreariest day of the year.
At least, that’s what the stars indicate. Today, Saturn and the sun will both pass in front of the constellation Capricorn, forcing their spheres to connect, according to London astrologer Neil Spencer.
“Today, which is also the shortest and darkest day of the year, does not promise much in the way of constructive transformation, according to Spencer.
Mercury is remains retrograde, adding salt to the planetary wound and, most likely, spoiling everything. (Isn’t it to blame for the horrendous Christmas traffic jams?)
Susan Miller, an astrologer, is concerned about the Saturn-Mercury conjunction. “She tweets that the American tax overhaul was completed on the saddest day of the year, December 21, with Saturn conjunct the Sun and Mercury retrograde. “Unusual timing, with a slew of unforeseen repercussions.
Is it your birthday today? For the remainder of the year, just call it in.” Over the next year, you may feel as if you’re being held back by invisible forces, but that’s just the universe’s way of urging you not to push too hard, says Sally Brompton of The Washington Post.
However, there is some good news for everyone: according to USA Today, big business, property, and patriarchy are all doing OK today.
In This Article...
When Mercury goes retrograde in 2021, what signs will be affected?
Because the retrograde is in cardinal Libra, the other cardinal signs in the other elements will be the most affected by this backward turn. This contains the signs of Aries (cardinal fire), Cancer (cardinal water), and Capricorn (cardinal earth) (cardinal earth). It will be felt in your seventh house of partnership, Cancer’s fourth house of domestic life, and Cap’s tenth house of career, Aries.
Why does astrology have such a poor reputation?
Astrology is a collection of belief systems that assert that there is a connection between astrological phenomena and events or personality traits in the human world. The scientific community has dismissed astrology as having no explanatory power for describing the universe. Scientific testing has discovered no evidence to back up the astrological traditions’ premises or alleged effects.
Why is Mercury retrograde such a horrible thing?
Mercury’s retrograde, according to Daisy, could lead to major relationship issues such as adultery, betrayal, or a lack of closeness. “As this planet looks to retreat, it may feel like everything in your love relationship is going wrong, as you bring up old difficulties and disagreements,” she explains.
“Communication is crucial, and with Mercury, the planet of communication, appearing to be in reverse, you’ll have to work even harder!” Concentrate on strengthening your relationship through chatting, being honest, and being open-hearted.”
When Mercury goes retrograde in 2022, what signs will be affected?
Mercury retrograde pops up to stir the pot just when you think you’ve got all your ducks in a row and all your troubles figured out. When it comes to astrology, there’s always an inconvenience lurking around the corner, and nothing epitomizes this more than when Mercury, the planet of communication and cognition, begins moving backward rather than ahead through the zodiac. If you belong to one of the zodiac signs that will be most affected by Mercury retrograde in spring 2022Taurus, Gemini, Scorpio, or Sagittarius, you might expect some technological issues in the near future.
Mercury retrograde tends to produce temporary disruption and mayhem when it stations retrograde. This retrograde, which occurs three to four times per year, is something you’re comfortable with because you’ve seen it before. In other words, there’s no need to be concerned; the world will not end, and you will emerge uninjured on the other side. While Mercury retrograde is known for causing miscommunications and misunderstandings, it’s also a lovely time to reflect on your life, examine prior projects, and take care of unfinished business.
Mercury retrograde begins on May 10 and ends at 4 degrees Gemini this spring. Mercury rules this mutable air sign, making this a classic retrograde experience full of bewilderment and distraction. Keep in mind what you say and how you say it, particularly if you’re stretching the truth. On May 22, Mercury will re-enter Taurus, making this retrograde’s energies slower and more unpleasant, since Mercury already finds moving through this inflexible fixed earth sign difficult. Fortunately, it will all come to an end on June 3rd, just as fast as it began.
Here’s what people born under the signs of the zodiac should know:
In the year 2022, which planet is retrograde?
Mercury will be in apparent retrograde motion in 2022 between the dates of January 13 and February 3. The dates are May 10 to June 2. The dates are September 9 through October 1.
What should you avoid doing in 2021 when Mercury is retrograde?
“We can have technical or mechanical troubles, and our wires in all forms of communication can feel crossed,” says Ellen Bowles, an astrologer and co-author of Astrology SOS. “Planetary retrogrades are periods of communal thought and rest. When Mercury goes retrograde, we are advised to slow down and double-check our work.” The desire to go over every last detail extends beyond the retrograde period itself, which lasts three to four weeks. Mercury’s shadow phase, sometimes known as “retroshade,” lasts for a week or two before and after the retrograde, and the same restrictions apply during this time as they do during Mercury retrograde.
What was Jesus’ take on astrology?
I believe that God created astrology as a tool for us to better understand ourselves and to use as a spiritual tool. Numerous bible texts, in my opinion, support astrology. As a Christian, I try to remember what Jesus said. “There shall be signs in the sun, moon, and stars,” Christ predicted in Luke 21:25, referring to the importance of astrology. He explains the value of astrology with his pupils, as well as how it might be used as a sign of his return. Why would Jesus provide us this critical knowledge if we are not intended to understand the energies of the planets and signs, and if he was actually against it? Just as the three wise men knew Jesus would be born under the star in the sky that led them to him lying in the manger, Jesus warned us that when he returns, there will be signals in the sky.
Is there a God in astrology?
I’ve been asked numerous times over the years to speak about the compatibility of astrology and religion by clients who are deeply religious. Despite the fact that some passionately religious people consider astrology to be heretical, I’ve noticed an extraordinary ideological connection between organized religions and the orderly world of astrology.
Astrology is completely compatible with a strict religious belief system. It’s a graceful jump to assume that a God created the universe, with noble ideals guiding even the planets and stars.
The study of the planets and stars precedes and has influenced religious belief and practice around the world, according to evidence from ancient texts, sculptures, and stained glass art. Symbols of astrological signs and planets can be found in our earliest ancient religious sites. Significant religious luminaries including Jesus, Mohammed, Moses, Buddha, and Mary Baker Eddy were born within astrological alignments that synchronistically confirmed their arrival.
Some devoted religious believers’ opposition can be traced back to a time when priests and religious authorities sought to interpret and mediate all religious experiences from their positions of authority. Our forefathers sought divine inspiration straight from the stars and considered themselves to be an intricate part of an active universe evolving before the development of male-dominated organized religion. Astrology as a technique and a belief system founded on an enchantment with the divine orchestrations of the heavens was open to anyone. Astrology does not necessitate the worship of a single deity or figurehead; rather, it assumes the existence of an infinite and purposeful intellect that pervades the heavens and the earth in a grand symphony of meaning.
Religion comes from the Latin term religio, which meaning “to connect together.” What could be more inextricably interwoven than celestial motions and human experiences and events?
The meanings of the 9th and 12th houses, as well as the archetypes of the planets Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune, all honor the importance of religion and spirituality in astrology. The 9th and 12th houses represent areas of life where religious or spiritual guidance, experience, and/or ordainment may be sought. Jupiter can represent a powerful spiritual or religious figure, Saturn a harsh God image, and Neptune mystical experiences and religious rapture.
A trustworthy, unbiased astrologer can assist a client in strengthening their confidence. Through an examination of their chart, I’ve assisted several clients in reclaiming and activating their religious roots, leading them toward the power that comes from following a religious path. Religion is a cornerstone of psychological and mental well-being for some people.
Unlike many organized religions, astrological ideas and practices are free of sexism, racism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression. Even the old astrological metaphors of masculine and feminine planets and energies have been redesigned as receptive and active energies that are not gendered in expression. Every human has a strong seat at the table of the universe, just as every planet and star has a position in the sky.
Astrology and organized faiths are both:
- Are you looking for a way to express yourself?
- Are not backed up by scientific evidence
- Thousands of years have passed
- Are based on legend and folklore.
- Have spawned works of art and poetry that are both inspired and stunning.
- Give people a sense of belonging and identity
- Assist folks who are going through a lot of pain and loss.
- Investigate the concepts of fate and free will.
- Have a history of group rituals?
- Keep track of important dates on your calendar.
In contrast to religion, astrology:
- There are no places of worship.
- There are no membership requirements or vows.
- There are no moral edicts.
- Has no claim to superiority based on merit
- Is there no human saint?
- There is no such thing as a hierarchy of worthiness.
- Does not indicate that there is an afterlife.
- There is no specific code of social conduct outlined.
- There is no formal consensus on the amount of training that must be completed.
- There are no official uniforms or costuming for practitioners.
- It does not necessitate worship.
These lists demonstrate how religion and astrology can have a fruitful relationship.
Religion is a Saturn word in astrological terms: it is ordered, spells out right and wrong, and is constructed on and in institutions and agreements. Astrology has a Uranian bent to it:
Is it true that many believe in astrology?
Christine Smallwood’s fascinating piece, “Astrology in the Age of Uncertainty:
Astrology is currently experiencing widespread popular acceptability that has not been seen since the 1970s. The transition began with the introduction of the personal computer, was expedited by the Internet, and has now reached new levels of speed thanks to social media. According to a Pew Research Center poll from 2017, about a third of Americans believe in astrology.
Astrology, like psychoanalysis before it, has infiltrated our collective vernacular. At a party in the 1950s, you could have heard someone talk about the id, ego, or superego; now, it’s normal to hear someone explain herself using the sun, moon, and rising signs. It isn’t just that you are aware of it. It’s who’s saying it: folks who aren’t kooks or deniers of climate change, who don’t find a conflict between utilizing astrology and believing in science…
I ran a short Google search and discovered the following Pew report from October 2018:
The religion breakdown was the only thing that surprised me about this table.
I had the impression that mainline Protestants were the rational ones, but they believe in astrology at the same rate as the overall population.
But, hey, I guess they’re ordinary Americans, so they have average American ideas.
Only 3% of atheists believe in astrology, which is also unexpected.
This makes sense, yet it seemed reasonable to me that someone may not believe in God but believe in other supernatural things: in fact, I could see astrology as a type of replacement for a traditional religious system.
But it appears that is not the case.
Brian Wansink has been compared to an astrologer who can make astute observations about the world based on a combination of persuasiveness and qualitative understanding, and then attributes his success to tarot cards or tea leaves rather than a more practical ability to synthesize ideas and tell good stories.
Does Brian Wansink, on the other hand, believe in astrology?
What about Marc Hauser, Ed Wegman, Susan Fiske, and the rest of the bunch who call their detractors “second-string, replication police, methodological terrorists, Stasi, and so on?”
I doubt they believe in astrology because it symbolizes a rival belief system: it’s a business that, in some ways, competes with rah-rah Ted-talk science.
I wouldn’t be shocked if famous ESP researchers believe in astrology, but I get the impression that mainstream junk-science supporters in academia and the news media feel uncomfortable discussing ESP since its research methods are so similar to their own.
They don’t want to be associated with ESP researchers because it would devalue their own study, but they also don’t want to put them under the bus because they are fellow Ivy League academics, so the safest plan is to remain quiet about it.
The greater point, however, is not astrology believing in and of itself, but the mental state that allows individuals to believe in something so contrary to our scientific understanding of the world.
(OK, I apologize to the 29% of you who don’t agree with me on this.)
When I return to writing on statistical graphics, model verification, Bayesian computation, Jamaican beef patties, and other topics, you can rejoin the fold.)
It’s not that astrology couldn’t be correct a priori:
We can come up with credible hypotheses under which astrology is real and amazing, just as we can with embodied cognition, beauty and sex ratio, ovulation and voting, air rage, ages ending in 9, and all the other Psychological Science / PNAS classics.
It’s just that nothing has come up after years of rigorous research.
And the existing theories aren’t particularly convincing: they’re speculative world models that may be good if the purpose was to describe a real and enduring occurrence, but they’re less so without actual data.
Anyway, if 30% of Americans are willing to believe such nonsense, it’s no surprise that a significant number of influential American psychology professors will have the kind of attitude toward scientific theory and evidence that leads them to have strong beliefs in weak theories with no supporting evidence.
Indeed, not only support for specific weak theories, but support for the fundamental principle that pseudoscientific views should be treated with respect (although, oddly enough, maybe not for astrology itself).
P.S.In defense of the survey respondents (but not of the psychology professors who support ideas like the “critical positivity ratio,” which makes astrology appear positively sane in comparison), belief in astrology (or, for that matter, belief in heaven, gravity, or the square-cube law) is essentially free.
Why not believe these things, or not believe them?
Belief or denial in evolution, climate change, or unconscious bias, on the other hand, can have social or political consequences.
Some opinions are purely personal, while others have a direct impact on policy.
I have less patience for famous academic and media elites who aggressively support junk science by not just expressing their trust in speculative notions supported by no real data, but also attacking those who point out these emperors’ nudity. Furthermore, even a hypothetical tolerant, open-minded supporter of junk sciencethe type of person who might believe in critical positivity ratio but actively support the publication of criticisms of that workcan still cause some harm by contaminating scientific journals and the news media with bad science, and by promoting sloppy work that takes up space that could be used for more careful research.
You know how they say science corrects itself, but only because individuals are willing to correct themselves?
Gresham’s law is also true, but only when people are willing to distribute counterfeit notes or money they think is counterfeit while keeping their lips shut until they can get rid of their wads of worthless stock.
P.P.S.Just to be clear:I don’t think astrology is a waste of time, and it’s possible that Marc Hauser was onto something real, even while faking data (according to the US government, as mentioned on Wikipedia), and the critical positivity ratio, ovulation, voting, and all the rest…
Just because there isn’t enough evidence to support a theory doesn’t mean it’s untrue.
I’m not trying to disprove any of these assertions.
All of it should be published someplace, along with all of the criticism.
My issue with junk science proponents isn’t simply that they advocate science that I and others perceive to be rubbish; they can also be wrong!
However, they consistently avoid, deny, and oppose valid open criticism.
P.P.P.S.Remember that #notallpsychologists.
Of course, the problem of junk research isn’t limited to psychology in any way.
Professors of political science, economics, sociology, and history, to the extent that they believe in astrology, spoon bending, or whatever (that is, belief in “scientific paranormalism as describing some true thing about the natural world, not just a “anthropological recognition that paranormal beliefs can affect the world because people believe in it), this could also sabotage their research.
I suppose it’s not such a big problem if a physicist or chemist believes in these things.
I’m not attempting to shut down study into astrology, embodied cognition, ESP, beauty-and-sex-ratio, endless soup bowls, spoon bending, the Bible Code, air anger, ovulation and voting, subliminal smiley faces, or anything else.
Allow for the blooming of a thousand blooms!
Given that a sizable portion of the populace is willing to believe in scientific-sounding notions that aren’t backed by any good scientific theory or evidence, it should come as no surprise that many professional scientists hold this viewpoint.
The repercussions are especially evident in psychology, which is a vital field of study where theories can be hazy and where there is a long legacy of belief and action based on flimsy data.
That isn’t to say that psychologists are awful people; they’re merely working on difficult challenges in a field with a long history of failures.
This isn’t a critique; it’s just the way things are. Of course, there is a lot of excellent work being done in the field of psychology. You’ll have to work with what you’ve got.
Mercury retrograde affects which zodiac signs?
Nothing in astrology is more infamous than the dreadful Mercury retrograde. After all, Mercury is the planet that rules communication and cognitive function, so it has a lot of influence in your day-to-day life. When this fast-moving, very intelligent inner planet goes retrograde, it can cause confusion and miscalculations, causing all of your plans to fall apart. Fortunately, if you belong to one of the zodiac signs that will be least affected by Mercury retrograde in spring 2022Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricornyou won’t have to prepare for absolute disaster.
The next Mercury retrograde begins on May 10th, when Mercury is at 4 degrees Gemini. Miscommunication is a prominent topic of this flighty and fickle retrograde, as this mutable air sign has a tendency to think faster than its lips can keep up with. Mercury won’t remain in Gemini for long, as it will retrograde back into Taurus on May 22, returning to its stubborn and slow-moving zone once more. You may find yourself overthinking each decision and struggling to see past your loyalties to particular attitudes and ideas as Mercury returns to this fixed earth sign. Keep an open mind and double-check that you know what you’re talking about.
Mercury retrograde might throw your life into a loop, but it’s crucial to remember that it only lasts about three weeks. This retrograde, which ends on June 3 at 26 degrees Taurus, may lead you back in time, bringing up unfinished business that has to be addressed. Let this retrograde give you another chance to try again if there are any things left unsaid or decisions that have yet to be taken.
Cardinal signs, on the other hand, may be spared the brunt of this retrograde’s effects. This is why: