After surviving the celestial (and, you know, global) onslaught that was 2016, we can all breathe a brief sigh of relief; beginning on Jan 8, every single planet shifted out of retrograde. So what does it mean when all planets are moving direct? Get ready to make some big changes, babes, because the time to jump is now.
Whether you believe in astrology or not, there's a good chance that you've heard people bemoaning the disaster that is Mercury retrograde. Considered the planet of travel, communication and finances, Mercury tends to move retrograde three to four times a year. Those dedicated to astrology suggest avoiding making travel plans, signing contracts or deciding on important life decisions during these periods. People report feeling out of balance and struggling through miscommunications. As if it couldn't wait to get one last punch in, 2016 led us out with Mercury in retrograde.
But yesterday, on Jan. 8, Mercury moved direct, joining the rest of its celestial brothers and sisters. And this is what we've been waiting for. This is that moment of good fortune that we've been craving. Because literally all of the planets are moving direct right now. Though it may seem counterintuitive, the moment when all planets are direct and balanced and harmonious is an incredibly rare event — and this time, it's lasting for a whole month.
The sky has been used as a divining tool by humans for centuries, and in those times when little else could provide such direction, having all of the planets go direct was believed an omen, a fortuitous period when the world's natural order was in its purest form. Now referred to as APDM — "All Planets in Direct Motion" — it's believed to usher in incredible fortune and opportunity.
Through Feb. 6, we are given a rare window of peace. But it's hardly time to sit back and say, "Well, I guess this is fine." It's time to start anew. It's time to face forward, to work towards clarity. Now is the time to act.
As writer Kate Rose put it in a recent Elephant Journal article, "January is asking us just one question: “Are you ready? Are you ready to see everything that you were too scared to open your eyes to before? Are you ready see the life that is meant for you?"
So what can you do to capitalize on this celestial momentum? Start that project you've had on the back burner. Write down your intentions for this week, this month, this year, this lifetime. Practice honesty. Be fierce. Remind yourself every day that love means nothing without action behind it. 2017 is an unprecedented time. We have to do everything in our power to resist normalizing hatred and cruelty. We have to be ready to fight for our freedoms.
So, once again: Are you ready?
Images: Julio Cesar Camerini / EyeEm/EyeEm/Getty Images; Giphy
