Retrograde Free: We’re in the “Go for It!” Zone

 

From February 3 to April 29 this year—all planets are direct. What an auspicious symbol for making progress! All the planets are going in the same direction. With none retrograde, we reach an exquisite portal for manifesting dreams.

This relatively rare celestial condition was dubbed “APDM” (All Planets Direct Motion) by astrologer Wave Rayne, who’s collected the most data on this phenomenon. APDM seems to occur about once every year—although it came twice in 2010, not at all in 2014, and after 2039, doesn’t happen again for 40 years.

The planets are an ordered yet unruly bunch. That’s clear with these “no retrograde” zones. There’s a whimsical, seemingly random quality to when and for how long they appear. They can last from just one to three days. Or maybe six weeks. Or they can stretch to nearly three months—which happily, is what happens this year.

What’s more—near the tail end of this period, on April 12, 2022—the two best planets for manifesting dreams—Jupiter and Neptune—conjoin in the most magical sign of Pisces.  Jupiter/Neptune conjunctions occur once every 13 years. But in Pisces–their home sign (Jupiter is the traditional ruler; Neptune, the modern)–well, these transcendent conjunctions occur once every 150 years.

Needless to say—if you’re not working on manifesting something, you’re missing a fabulous celestial opportunity!

But let’s get something straight. I’ve heard astrologers say things like, “During this blissful window, you can make rapid progress in all areas of your life.” Or: “These will be peaceful, harmonious weeks during which your mind will be remarkably clear.”

Let’s face it. It’s absurd to think we’ll all have the same experience. Plus, the planets have a poor track record for predicting events. If they were better at it, we’d find astrology departments in every institution and business in the land.  Who wouldn’t want to know all the outcomes ahead of time?

But the sky is rather a symbol. Or as the first astrologers, the Mesopotamians, believed, the planets carry messages from the gods. They tell us which way the wind is blowing.  It’s up to us to do something about it. That’s how we make magic with astrology. We follow the signs and offer ourselves into the appropriate avenues.

Align your archetypes

When all planets are going in the same direction, this suggests that you should do likewise. This is an auspicious time to get all of your forces going towards the same dream.

Most people have several voices in their head. And lots of different directions in which they could go. Your birth planets offer a convenient way to identify these voices. Chart placements can reveal some of the secrets in your subconscious; for example, how certain archetypes tend to sabotage the others.

Yet occasionally you can–and should–get every one of your inner voices on the same page. Is there a dream enticing enough that you can enlist each archetype to do its part in the dream’s unfolding?  You may need to stop Saturn from attacking the Moon. Or prevent Mars from wandering into thoughtless dangers.  Get them both to fly under the same flag as your benefics, Venus and Jupiter.

So how do you move archetypes?  Awareness of these different energies is of course the key. Consciousness is our finest power. Without knowledge of your inner landscape, you can’t get in the game.  Again, your birth chart is quite gifted at revealing this psychic territory. You may already know some of your inner troublemakers and heroes.  But approach this moment with a broad, forgiving love for all of them.  You may wish your 12th house Sun was more confident, but let yourself instead appreciate his fine imagination.

Keeping your archetypal team in mind, begin by setting your sankalpa (the Sanskrit word for intention).  Manifestation begins with a vision.  Your dream.  Once you have this, do something to crystallize your vision.  Find the perfect words and write this down.  Another wonderful option is making a vision board. Vision boards (or treasure maps) have been around for a long time (Google this if you’re unfamiliar).

I thought it was odd this New Year’s when I heard several people sharing (especially a few men!) that for New Year’s 2022 they made a vision board for the very first time.  Perhaps their angels sensed this year’s exquisite possibilities. If you’re a visual person, do keep your vision map in view. Your subconscious sees this–absorbs it–each time you walk past. Sometimes it’s nice to just stand silently in front of it.

If you’re more awakened into the auditory realm, create a musical affirmation that’s as infectious as a wonderful ear worm. You want to find yourself regularly humming it, as you go along in the days ahead. That’s how your subconscious will absorb the message.  If you’re kinesthetic—if embodied sensation is the best route into your subconscious–find a mudra, a hand gesture; or an exalted pose; or a brief and joyful dance. Surrender into the sensations of your coming success.

I’m not yet sure how I’ll honor the once-every-150-years Jupiter/Neptune conjunction this April.  But likely I’ll let you know when I do.

 

What’s happening in your chart this year?  Your Skylog report will tell you.  With great precision it identifies what I call “the lords on your altar” each year.  You can order yours here.