by Robert Wilkinson
Following up on the general meaning and function of the "Inferior Conjunction" between the Sun and Mercury, today we explore specifics of the Inferior Conjunction of January 30, 2015 at 11 Aquarius. This “fusion of life and mind” will impact the rest of the retrograde period, and many weeks after.
Because this particular Inferior Conjunction is an extremely important event due to when and where it's happening, this is a long article that will pull together a comprehensive overview that ties together past, present, and future.
The inferior conjunction is when Mercury (mind) conjuncts the Sun (life) while retrograde. This indicates that signals, messages, and ideas from either outer sources or subconscious sources will fuse with the life principle, setting the tone for the lessons involving how our minds are relating to our lives during the next four months. Since Mercury is retrograde, the degree of the inferior conjunction shows how our lives will merge with our perceptions and bring forth a new understanding of our light.
The Sabian Symbol for the Inferior Conjunction
The Sabian Symbol we’ve been given for the 11th degree of Aquarius is “Man tete-a-tete with his inspiration.” Rudhyar says this is a degree of “Creative power in man: its relationship to social behavior” and “Self-crystallization in a form of power, or else self-exploitation.”
In the Astrological Mandala, he goes on to say that this degree is about “the need to rely upon inner inspiration and guidance at the start of new developments,” where we must keep open to higher, spiritual, or Soul energies at the threshold of a new period of individual activity. He says we cannot afford to depend on outer circumstances or traditional incentives, but instead must tap our inner creative power as we learn to get out of our own way to express that power.
He says this “refers to the overshadowing of the individual consciousness by an inner, yet transcendent Power.” He says this degree falls in the Span of Defensiveness, Act of Capitalization, and Scene of Contribution on the Individual-Mental level.
Dr. Jones says this is a degree of our “satisfaction in the transcendental experiences of selfhood, and of a new realization that each individual lives in a consistent intimacy with spiritual verities of every sort and on every hand.” He says this involves “the need to act continually in personal self-interest, and to translate every vision into practical consummation.”
He states that as we accept “the overshadowing of a universal life and order” we must demonstrate our “special capacities and rededicate (our) own individual achievements.” He offers us the keyword ECSTASY. He states that when operating in a positive manner, this degree "is an enthusiastic idealism and a tireless desire to serve others.”
So we enter a time of “the fusion of life and mind” that should give us new insights about old ways of being inspired, or perhaps previous transcendent experiences will be seen in a different light. This can give our “backward turned minds” a new light of understanding related to how we once individually contributed to something, or found a new inspiration. It could yield glimpses of how we once weaved inspiration into action, in order to find a new way of doing that.
Some will get flashbacks to previous eras. As Neptune went stationary retrograde on this degree in May 2002, and went stationary direct on this degree in October 2003, the general atmosphere of that time span and the years that followed will contribute to what we remember or find anew during the time span influenced by this Inferior Conjunction. More recently, this is also the degree of the Full Moon of August 2012, so clearly that will also be echoed or reviewed as a result of this Inferior Conjunction.
This Inferior Conjunction can fuse hindsight and life experience to see how new forms of light, life, and perspectives have come forth in collective consciousness over the past 13 years. The next four months are a time to get educated from seeing the past through different angles and interpretations yielding a bigger view or understanding.
Because this “fusion of life and mind” takes place in the second third of Aquarius, take a new look at friendships, goal, ambitions, ideals of a greater contribution you might make, and see how some ideals you were sensitive to in 2002-2004 have influenced your life since then. It may also be helpful to see various relationship experiences as times when you learned to see things from a greater holistic view that gave you a new inspiration or way of expressing your creativity.
What’s Up After the Inferior Conjunction?
As I pointed out in the first article about the Inferior Conjunction, at this Inferior Conjunction at 11 Aquarius we will have “a fusion of life and mind” that will help set a platform. In blending these principles we will see a shift in our affairs, attitudes, and understanding about those things symbolized by Mercury in Aquarius.
Natal points in harmony with 11 Aquarius will see productivity, understanding, stabilization, and unique qualities come forth. Natal points in friction with 11 Aquarius will see turning points, blocks, braking action, and release of potential. These are the primary “Life-Mind” fusion lessons through the next Superior Conjunction on April 9-10 at 20 Aries, a degree that will help us become more compassionate as we link with others in generous and nourishing ways to generate a form of strength to overcome harsh or cold life conditions.
So this Inferior Conjunction should bring a roundabout return, reflection, or echoes from the past about prior rehearsals that have turned into realities since then, or show us how current rehearsals are forcing us to prepare for things to come. It’s time to focus on visions of the future, and mobilize our skills so they satisfy some future need that’s on the way. Again, this need to “think in the future” seems to be a huge theme for the world right now.
An alternative possibility is that we can now see how we prepared in the past for current attitudes and ideals, or conversely, through the retrograde lens see how past attitudes and ideals led us to where we’re at right now.
Keep in mind that while Mercury is giving us a backward look or alternative view and understanding of something from the past, it also in a strange way prepares the ground for the future when other planets cross this degree. We may find new ways to interpret what we learned from the two year cycle that began February 2009 when Mars conjuncted Jupiter on this degree, influencing all of 2009 and 2010 until the next Mars transit of this degree.
There will be clear connections between what Mars, Venus, and Mercury all brought us when they transited this degree between mid-December 2014 and mid-January 2015. And of course, we’ll all have a more complete understanding by the time Mercury again crosses this degree at the end of February.
It is even possible that this “fusion of life and mind” will give us future visions related to when Pluto goes stationary retrograde on this degree in May 2029 through when it finally passes it for the last time in January 2031, or when Saturn transits this degree between March and December 2021. Some will set things into motion over the next few weeks that will impact their lives in the next decade and beyond!
Aspects in Play
Venus conjunct Neptune and septile Pluto puts the Grand Irrationality into play, making this another celestial event which will lead to major forks in the road for those affected. Those most affected by this powerful precipitator of choices and changes have planets or angles near 12-16 Capricorn, 3-7 Pisces, 25-29 Aries, 17-21 Gemini, 8-12 Leo, 29 Virgo-3 Libra, and 20-24 Scorpio.
If you have anything in any of these spans, you’ll be immersed in huge feelings that are showing you what you stand for while feeling like you’re caught in some type of “psychic traffic jam.” It will show itself through planets and houses occupying Aries, Taurus, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, and Pisces.
Of note is that Mars conjunct Chiron “collects the light” and renews the Jupiter biseptile Saturn and triseptile Chiron, along with the Saturn biseptile Chiron. This is a second configuration triggering major decisions and forks in the road wherever in our charts we have planets or houses involving Aries, Leo, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. Affected degree spans include 13-18 Pisces, 4-9 Taurus, 25-30 Gemini, 17-22 Leo, 9-14 Libra, 1-6 Sagittarius, and 22-27 Capricorn.
Given how many signs are affected by the planets in these two configurations, you can bet there will be major events moving you into your destiny between now and April. Take a look back to move forward, or see how the past has put you where you’re at now.
Other aspects of note are Moon tredecile Venus, Mercury sextile Saturn, Sun opposed Jupiter and sextile Uranus,(throwing very favorable building energy into the North Node in Libra), Mars sextile Pluto, Jupiter trine Uranus, Saturn square Neptune, and the eternally tense, ominous Uranus square Pluto. All in all, these show a lot of productivity, creativity, natural expression, and freedom from old social rigidities through embracing a higher view of the dance of relationship.
There’s a great balance in the element spread, with 3 planets in Fire, 3 in Water, and 3 in Air signs. Only Earth is short, showing this period coming may not be practical, but we’ll all feel, think, and interact a lot! With Pluto leading the Inferior Conjunction, it will be a transformational period at the deepest seed levels, so be tender as you move through the merging of past, present, and future.
This will be a highly productive time with Mercury sextile Saturn, Sun sextile Uranus, and Mars sextile Pluto, though there will also be friction via the squares from early Sagittarius to Pisces affecting these and early Gemini and Virgo, and the squares from mid-Aries to mid-Capricorn, affecting these and mid-Cancer and mid-Libra. So we use Mars sextile Pluto and Sun sextile Uranus to build, and Uranus square Pluto to release. We use Moon tredecile Venus to give and receive forms of serendipity, gifts, and more perfect circumstances that build, and release via the Venus square Saturn.
Inferior Conjunction Themes for the next four months
Primary lessons involve getting reoriented by saying goodbye to old ways of carrying hurt, guilt, or blame in relationships by remembering that it may not have been as it seemed at the time, finding more compassion and connectedness with our inner sources of inspiration, and teaching and being taught basic human skills. Some feelings will surge forth that have been repressed up to now. Have faith as you master a duality, since that faith will be the source of future power and understanding.
Try to remember that there’s an interactive dance going on, showing us a higher more eternal view of how to break free of the concept of “original sin,” or that part of us which wants to hide ourselves rather than claim our “naked individuality under God.” We’ll be moving into a more conscious individualized expression and view, and can finally leave behind any sense of impatience at the pace of what’s been unfolding these past several years.
This is the time for cranking up our productivity across the spectrum of our lives and affairs. Many will cut to the chase, ignoring appearances when real necessities present themselves. It should be a good time for planning or re-planning with an eye to making the bigger picture clear and workable. It’s about learning and teaching, adjusting to the natural rhythm of events, and repudiating some sort of bondage using soft power rather than hard power.
So Just How Does the Process Work?
The Inferior Conjunction between Mercury and the Sun is the second step in a two-conjunction process. The first step is when Mercury conjuncts the Sun in forward motion after its retrograde period. This is called a “Superior conjunction.” Most recently this occurred at 17 Sagittarius on December 8, 2014. That “fusion of life and mind” marked the beginning of Mercury getting out in front of the Sun.
As Mercury is faster than the Sun at any “Superior Conjunction,” after that event Mind again outraces Life, gets ahead of the Sun, and explores ideas and perceptions of experiences yet to occur. That’s what we experienced between early August and late August, when Mercury began to slow down.
After Mercury gets as far forward from the Sun as it can, it begins to slow, eventually going stationary retrograde. By then it is slowing rapidly. That marks the second step that leads to the point when Mercury again conjuncts the Sun while retrograde. This is when Mind is being absorbed by Life, or Life takes on the results of subconscious or collective ideas returning to source.
Then Mercury, still slow in speed, becomes distant from the Sun anew as the Sun moves forward while Mercury is still retrograde. Eventually Life gets as far from Mind as it can, Mercury goes stationary direct, and begins to speed up preparing for the first step anew in a different part of the zodiac.
Mercury Retrograde - Past As Prologue
In an interesting "co-incidence," many stationary points and Inferior and Superior Conjunction points make significant aspects to other points in previous Mercury retrograde periods. Perhaps by studying the sequence of retrograde, conjunction, and direct points we can see how Mercury, a.k.a Hermes, the Cosmic Magician and Guide of Souls, is steering our long range perceptions, understandings, and co-ordinations toward Soul understanding.
For example, the degree of the February 2014 Inferior Conjunction was exactly the same as where Jupiter went stationary retrograde in June 2009, and the prior Uranus transits and subsequent Neptune transits of that degree. So that Inferior Conjunction directly connected the dots between all those events. It also gave new life to all previous Mercury stations involving late Aquarius and all previous Eclipses in late Aquarius.
The June 2014 Inferior Conjunction at 28 Gemini gave us a look back at the year after the Sun conjuncted Jupiter on that degree in June 2013, as well as what we set into motion at the 2012 Gemini New Moon also on that degree. The October 2014 Inferior Conjunction at 24 Libra gave us a look back at the time Saturn transited that span of the zodiac, and trined the 28 Gemini Inferior conjunction AND the Inferior Conjunction before that earlier this year at 28 Aquarius.
This one continues the string of Inferior Conjunctions in Air signs, showing the next “natural step” in stabilizing our “Air sign” understanding. However, as it tredeciles the last Inferior Conjunction, we should be getting some highly specialized interactive gifts, blessings, interactions, and insights relative to what we’ve been fusing of life and mind since last October.
On a related note, we had a Superior Conjunction at 17 Leo on August 8, 2014, exactly trine the last one at 17 Sagittarius. The next one in April will happen at 20 Aries, again in close trine to the Superior Conjunctions I just mentioned. This pattern will break in July 2015, when that Superior Conjunction falls at 1 Leo biseptile the Superior Conjunction point of April.
This Inferior Conjunction of mind "looking back" into life will help us take a new look at how we have or have not taken care of what matters since the last retrograde in Libra. We’ve paid a lot of dues over the past few months (and years) in our Libra sectors, and now have been shown how to see things in a more balanced way, or learned a more moderate and/or reasonable way of communicating. This will give us a different view on why these helped us prepare for what’s happened since then, and how it’s related to what we have to prepare for to anticipate what’s just down the road.
This Inferior Conjunction in Aquarius gives us a new look or new understanding about our relationships, goals, ambitions, and larger social aspirations, and whether our understanding can lead us to a larger picture and life. This can also show us how we need to get something back on track through examining how the past few months have shown us a better way to contribute positively to our life and the lives of others in individual-spiritual ways related to this 11 Aquarius theme, preparing us for a more ideal way of seeing a greater life over the next 4 months.
What’s the Backdrop to What’s Happening?
The fact that the Inferior Conjunction falls in Aquarius makes Saturn the worldly ruler and Uranus the spiritual ruler of the conjunction. That implies that these heavyweights are steering this boat, and are two of the dominant energies at this time.
As Saturn in Sag is ruled by Jupiter in Leo which is ruled by the Sun in Aquarius, this “chain of dispositors” is a heavy influence behind the fusion of life and mind in future weeks. Venus, Mars, Neptune, and Chiron all in Pisces is another heavy influence, since Mars is the worldly ruler of Uranus and Mars is ruled by Jupiter and Neptune.
With future oriented Saturn and Uranus as co-rulers of the Inferior Conjunction, this can help us see different ways to view past and present relationships, different ways to understand how we’ve been led to creativity and ideals in original ways, and how to teach and be taught basic skills. Again, faith will help to overcome dualities, and in cultivating that faith we’ll be led to power.
All Mercury retrograde periods teach us about how Mercury functions. Mercury’s duality is “Life/Death,” so we can get a new look at how our consciousness and responses are either creative, destructive, or both, to cite the venerable Kabalistic Arhat Paul Foster Case. Mercury is where we learn if our mental processes are creating chaos and disorganized scattered conditions through ambivalence, and thus come to see how to use discernment to coordinate various functions to bring forth perfect knowing how to do whatever needs to be done.
As the backdrop to how our mind and life relate to each other, perhaps we can learn how to deal with Mercurial energies in ourselves or others from a different angle of view, organizing or reorganizing or ideas, perception, interpretations, and way of communicating. We can see or find new ways to understand, communicate, or interpret the signs and signals of our existence through looking back on the vaster wisdom we acquired in previous years when Uranus, Neptune, and Jupiter were in Aquarius, and how we expressed these energies in skilled ways during the time when Mars, Venus, and Mercury were in Aquarius over the past few weeks.
All in all, the coming 4 months will bring interesting returns, reflections, and rehearsals of how and what we’ve dealt with in the realm of relationships, including personal and professional friendships and alliances. We can see our ideals from a different angle, find a new inspiration, and adjust to an ideal we may have put on the shelf a while back. These can bring us needed insights into these things so we can come to a greater understanding about our individuality in the past, or reclaim a part of our individuality so we can make a greater social contribution in the future.
Once the Inferior Conjunction happens, whatever has seemed delayed, postponed, or dragging along will move forward soon. This can bring forth a greater holistic vision of how events and people are connected, as well as why we must reclaim some relationships while letting others go, if only for a while.
Generally, the 11 days before the inferior conjunction (fusion) of mind and life is a good time to take a new look at how you can bring out your inner wisdom by adjusting to a future vision or broader perspective that's opening for you. It's also good for getting a new point of view regarding what your imagination is willing to consider and how to coordinate your life to reorganize it productively.
It's great for intuitive flashes, insights into the larger collective consciousness and unconsciousness, and seeing how you're being led to see elements of your Soul you may not have recognized before now. So think back on what's happened in the past couple of weeks, and find a new way to view how those things may symbolize the future somehow.
Just remember during retrogrades, especially Mercury retrograde, that often things that don't turn out one way lead directly or indirectly to other things somewhat related manifesting down the road. It's as though nothing should be taken at face value, and often what we do or think during Mercury retrograde creates odd echoes in the future that take different shapes, or different functions related to the original intention.
Because we’ll still be dealing with Mercury retrograde through February 11, if you haven’t already gotten your copy, you may want to purchase my ebook “A New Look At Mercury Retrograde,” where I explain a lot more about Inferior and Superior Conjunctions, and how the mind operates when racing forward and looking backward. It is now available on B&N's Nook and Amazon Kindle, and I’ve gotten a lot of good reviews from those who have this new expanded 2nd edition.
The book includes a lot more about Mercury Retrograde in the signs, houses, what it means for each sign, when it happens, and Mercury Retrograde celebrities and historical events that you'll never find in any other source. If you want a copy of this resource that you'll use for a long time to come, you can find the direct links to where it can be purchased at A New Look At Mercury Retrograde is Now An Ebook on Kindle and Nook.
And as usual, here are links to recent articles on what this January-February 2015 Mercury Retrograde in Aquarius is all about:
The Guide of Souls in January 2015 - Mercury Slowing Down, Preparing to go Retrograde at 18 Aquarius
Mercury Retrograde – Time For A New Look at the Guide of Souls
Copyright © 2015 Robert Wilkinson
Patterns are becoming clearer, but I am so far away from tracing mercury rx patterns. Patience I guess. All I know is that this one is a real corker.
Posted by: caliban | January 31, 2015 at 08:40 AM
I live in Salt Lake City UT. It seems people here are fighting the changes, clinging to their comfort zones by either lashing out angrily or retreating into a nether world. In either case it makes for dangerous driving. May peace come to you ALL!
Posted by: Nancy | February 10, 2015 at 07:02 PM