Mercury starts its retrograde today. It's the last one of 2021 and a great time to get cozy for fall and do some inner work. Figure out where you want to be on October 18 (when we come out of retrograde), and a year from now, and five years from now. 

I don't practice astrology as my main profession, as it's intense and involved work that requires years of study, historical research, and hard work (something I'm not super keen on!) but I do know a little about mercury retrograde only because it happens about three times a year, and I like to prepare. 

If you've heard the term Mercury retrograde but have no idea what it means, it's basically like passing a car on the freeway - Earth and Mercury continue to whip around the sun in the same direction at their respective speeds, but as Mercury approaches and rounds the planet, it appears to slow or even reverse course from our perspective. It's not doing that, it just kinda looks that way. 

Why bring up mercury retrograde when I never have before? Because today's card is the reversed Ace of Cups and it's a very Mercury retrograde card. It's a card about mistakes being made and life getting out of whack for a couple of weeks. But it's also a chance to reevaluate what we're doing in life, whether we're with the right people, whether what we're doing is what we really want, or why we're feeling so sad and blue. 

What the reversed Ace recommends but I DO NOT, is taking rash moves about it. The Ace suggests you break up with your partner, I do not. Not now. The Ace recommends changing careers to Network administration. I definitely do not (blech). The Ace recommends doing some inner work on your emotions - I DO recommend this. Evaluating oneself is a perfect Mercury retrograde action. 

The rest - breaking up with your partner and becoming a network admin, can be done on October 18, when Mercury turns direct. For now, just think about.

The Ace of Cups upright tells us to trust our emotions, start a new relationship, or open ourselves up to joyful messages from the Universe.
Reversed, our feelings may be blocked, our heart may be too guarded to let love and light in, or we might be going through a breakup, an affair, or fertility issues.
 
Questions answered by the reversed Ace of Cups:
Who? Someone cold and distant; a cheater
What? A miscarriage; spilled milk
Where? At a party you didn’t want to attend
When? Soon; The entire season of Fall (Northern Hemisphere) or Spring (Southern Hemisphere); After a spill
Why? “You never lose by loving. You always lose by holding back.” ~ Anonymous
Yes or No? No

The reversed Ace of Cups as:
…an action?

• Process your emotions
• Take a vacation by yourself
• Break up with your partner

 
…a place in your house?

• A leaky faucet
• The laundry room
• The dishwasher
• The glassware

…a place in your city?

• A sewage treatment facility

 
…a place in the world?

• Southeast Asia
• Venezuela
• Zacatón, Mexico
• Tuscany, Italy

…something to eat?

• Popcorn
• A tub of ice cream

• Booze
• Chocolate

…something to clean?

• The laundry
• The glassware
• Your eyeglasses

 
…where to find your missing item?

• Near a leak or spill

 
…a color? Blue, black, gray
 
…a movie theme? Longing; being alone

• The Fault in Our Stars
• Sideways
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

 
…a new career?

• Trades
• Network Administrator
• Engineer

 
The reversed Ace of Cups
Before any card: A need to take a break from (card)
After any card: Longing; sadness; loss

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In the Rider-Waite deck, a giant hand reaches out from the clouds, holding a cup that runneth over, indicating that the querant is surrounded by copious amounts of love, joy, and happiness. In my card, the child drips water over a statue of the Buddha, in a moment of emotional peace, stability, and tranquility.  No matter the appearance of the card, when the Ace of Cups appears it is love, and a message to trust your emotional value and open yourself to messages from the Universe. 

The Ace of Cups is the beginning of one's social or emotional journey. A giant hand reaches out from the clouds, holding a cup that runneth over, indicating that the querant is surrounded by copious amounts of love, joy, and happiness.

When the Ace of Cups appears, trust your emotional value, and open yourself to messages from the Universe.
 
The Ace of Cups
Before any card: A divinely inspired (card)
After any card: Emotional fulfillment.

Questions answered by Ace of Cups:
Who? Someone who has just fallen in love; a new friend 
What? A cup; A bottle of wine
Where? At a waterfall
When? Now; The entire season of Fall (Northern Hemisphere) or Spring (Southern Hemisphere)
Why? Make a fresh start in romance or friendship
Yes or No? Yes

The Ace of Cups as:
....an action?

• Road trip with friends
• Romantic getaway with a partner
• Allow your feelings to flow   

 
...a place in your house?

• The bathtub
• The bar
• The dining room table

...a place in your city?

• A park fountain

 
...a place in the world?

• A coastal city
• Hawai'i
• Quebec
• Denmark
• South Africa

 
...something to clean?

• The shower or bathtub
• The sink
• The glasses

 
...where to find the missing item?

• Near water

 
...something to eat?

• Tiramisu
• Yogurt and Granola
• Cocktails

 
...a color? Blue, yellow, white
 
...a movie theme? New passion

• Under the Tuscan Sun
• 20 Feet from Stardom
• Happy Gilmore

 
...a new career?

• Hospitality
• Creative work
• Beauty industry
• Yoga or meditation

 
Ace of Cups combinations
With Emperor: A Dad's heart melts; an authority figure softens their mood.
With Two of Wands: Listen closely to your intuition.
With Seven of Cups: A daydream about love.
With Page of Swords: A young, passionate person brings important news.
With Queen of Pentacles: Someone is pregnant or is a new Mom.
 

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