Category Archives: Guest Blogger

Guest Blogger – Sheri Horn Hasan – The Spirited Woman: The Return Of The Matriarchy (Part Three)

For spirited women everywhere, the Spring Equinox is a big deal - it is an annual turning point in our lives and reflects many changes. But why does it affect us so? I invited Sheri Horn Hasan, an expert in Karmic Evolution Astrology back as our guest blogger to give us some answers - since her posts on Mercury in Retrograde were such a big hit. This time she has written a three-part series on the Spring Equinox and how it really influences the divine feminine in us all. This is Sheri’s final post in the series.

As the Spirited Woman journeys into the season of Spring, she understands now that-- while the Sun is in the Mars-ruled sign of Aries—she’s blessed with the instinctual capability to act or react.

It’s easy to see how “instinct,” defined as “a natural or inherent aptitude, impulse, or capacity,” has morphed from female archetypal energy (such as that of Artemis from the ancient past) toward the male-oriented martial principle of action in these more modern patriarchal times.

However, it’s intuition--defined as “a natural ability or power that makes it possible to know something without any proof or evidence”—that connects every Spirited Woman to the feminine divine and the days when the natural cycles of the matriarchy were far more revered than they are today.

Your Moon & You

The energy of one’s Moon--which represents our emotions, our soul, our inner child-- does not replace Mars or the martial principle. Rather, each Spirited Woman’s astrological Moon incorporates within both male and female-oriented instinct and intuition.

When the Spirited Woman allows herself to tap into this deep vein of archetypal intuitive AND instinctive wisdom, a big picture emotional awareness emerges from the depths of her soul. Without honoring both, we may lose our way and traverse paths that leave us only exhausted and depleted, rather than emotionally satisfied and fulfilled.

Astrology breaks down the 12 astrological signs into four elements: fire, earth, air, and water. Every Spirited Woman has a Moon in her personal horoscope, or natal/birth chart, and the element of your Moon tells us how you react emotionally and what you need to feel secure in this lifetime.

How easy or difficult it is to live one’s Moon energy depends on its sign, location in the chart, and its aspects to other planets and sensitive chart points.

Fire & Air Moons

Fire Moons--Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius—encompass adventurousness of spirit, creativity, and a generally unabashed sense of joie de vivre. The Spirited Woman born with a fire Moon may leap before she looks, react before she thinks, and is undoubtedly imbued with a fire burning within.

Fire Moons may act quickly, but if the impulse to act is stifled it can result in issues that “somatize,” or manifest as potential dis-ease in the body. A fire Moon Spirited Woman must express her creative impulses in order to be true to her nature. While she may find she’s moved too quickly into anger or defensiveness at times, this is far better than suppressing the urge to move, create, express, or engage in life with gusto!

Earth Moons—Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn—are far more concerned with security and keeping their feet on terra firma, or solid ground. The Spirited Woman with an earth Moon may be conscious of what’s in her bank account, be an expert at detailed work, and/or possess the desire to climb the upwardly mobile ladder to success.

The issue to watch out for here is getting stuck—or too attached—to your body, your perfectionism, or a belief system that may not reflect the Spirited Woman’s true core values. Allow your earth Moon to intuitively dig deeply into the wisdom of your body and to obey the laws of the universe to understand that the one true constancy is change!

Also, it pays to be mindful that true security is not rooted in what you own, and success lies not necessarily in how many resources you may accrue. Rather, real peace of mind is gained by getting to the core of your soul’s definition of the value of TRUE happiness…

Earth & Water Moons

Air Moons—Gemini, Libra, & Aquarius—are usually social, rational thinkers. Curious and loquacious, their concern with fairness and equality in partnership, and communication of ideas trump their need for action.

The air Moon Spirited Woman must guard against allowing ideas to confuse rather than enlighten. Also, over-concern with “right” relations may eclipse the personal will. When compromise becomes the only solution for every situation, it may come at the expense of getting what you want—at least some of the time.

Additionally, watch out for ideas that become so fixed that your perception of “right” belongs only to you but isn’t shared by anybody else…and be alert to the propensity to rationalize your emotions instead of FEELING them…

Finally, water Moons—Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces—are visceral because they feel their emotions acutely. Of all the elements, Water Moons are most likely to be highly sensitive, and to exhibit compassion, loyalty, sympathy, and empathy through deep and lasting emotional bonding.

This propensity to absorb other people’s pain in an attempt to alleviate the sufferer can land the water Moon Spirited Woman in a bit of hot water as she may ultimately find she attempts to escape her own emotions by absorbing herself in those of others. This is a slippery slope, though on the other side of the coin, water Moons are extremely intuitive, emotionally deep, and spiritually connected...

Fire, air, earth or water—one thing is for sure: The Spirited Woman’s Moon puts her in touch with her divinely inspired feminine wisdom. As many of us already know, when women concentrate on accessing their precious gift of intuitive wisdom, the results are often most amazing!

SheriHornHasanAmazon #1 Bestseller & professional intuitive psychological/archetypal/evolutionary astrologer at Karmic Evolution Astrology, Sheri Horn Hasan analyzes natal horoscopes as the blueprint that can help one’s soul to recognize & reach its highest destiny in this lifetime. Her mission is to assist others to move from chaos to clarity and co-create their own future through astrology! Read Sheri’s story about her astrological awakening!

Guest Blogger – Sheri Horn Hasan – The Spirited Woman: The Return Of The Matriarchy (Part Three)

For spirited women everywhere, the Spring Equinox is a big deal - it is an annual turning point in our lives and reflects many changes. But why does it affect us so? I invited Sheri Horn Hasan, an expert in Karmic Evolution Astrology back as our guest blogger to give us some answers - since her posts on Mercury in Retrograde were such a big hit. This time she has written a three-part series on the Spring Equinox and how it really influences the divine feminine in us all. This is Sheri’s final post in the series.

As the Spirited Woman journeys into the season of Spring, she understands now that-- while the Sun is in the Mars-ruled sign of Aries—she’s blessed with the instinctual capability to act or react.

It’s easy to see how “instinct,” defined as “a natural or inherent aptitude, impulse, or capacity,” has morphed from female archetypal energy (such as that of Artemis from the ancient past) toward the male-oriented martial principle of action in these more modern patriarchal times.

However, it’s intuition--defined as “a natural ability or power that makes it possible to know something without any proof or evidence”—that connects every Spirited Woman to the feminine divine and the days when the natural cycles of the matriarchy were far more revered than they are today.

Your Moon & You

The energy of one’s Moon--which represents our emotions, our soul, our inner child-- does not replace Mars or the martial principle. Rather, each Spirited Woman’s astrological Moon incorporates within both male and female-oriented instinct and intuition.

When the Spirited Woman allows herself to tap into this deep vein of archetypal intuitive AND instinctive wisdom, a big picture emotional awareness emerges from the depths of her soul. Without honoring both, we may lose our way and traverse paths that leave us only exhausted and depleted, rather than emotionally satisfied and fulfilled.

Astrology breaks down the 12 astrological signs into four elements: fire, earth, air, and water. Every Spirited Woman has a Moon in her personal horoscope, or natal/birth chart, and the element of your Moon tells us how you react emotionally and what you need to feel secure in this lifetime.

How easy or difficult it is to live one’s Moon energy depends on its sign, location in the chart, and its aspects to other planets and sensitive chart points.

Fire & Air Moons

Fire Moons--Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius—encompass adventurousness of spirit, creativity, and a generally unabashed sense of joie de vivre. The Spirited Woman born with a fire Moon may leap before she looks, react before she thinks, and is undoubtedly imbued with a fire burning within.

Fire Moons may act quickly, but if the impulse to act is stifled it can result in issues that “somatize,” or manifest as potential dis-ease in the body. A fire Moon Spirited Woman must express her creative impulses in order to be true to her nature. While she may find she’s moved too quickly into anger or defensiveness at times, this is far better than suppressing the urge to move, create, express, or engage in life with gusto!

Earth Moons—Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn—are far more concerned with security and keeping their feet on terra firma, or solid ground. The Spirited Woman with an earth Moon may be conscious of what’s in her bank account, be an expert at detailed work, and/or possess the desire to climb the upwardly mobile ladder to success.

The issue to watch out for here is getting stuck—or too attached—to your body, your perfectionism, or a belief system that may not reflect the Spirited Woman’s true core values. Allow your earth Moon to intuitively dig deeply into the wisdom of your body and to obey the laws of the universe to understand that the one true constancy is change!

Also, it pays to be mindful that true security is not rooted in what you own, and success lies not necessarily in how many resources you may accrue. Rather, real peace of mind is gained by getting to the core of your soul’s definition of the value of TRUE happiness…

Earth & Water Moons

Air Moons—Gemini, Libra, & Aquarius—are usually social, rational thinkers. Curious and loquacious, their concern with fairness and equality in partnership, and communication of ideas trump their need for action.

The air Moon Spirited Woman must guard against allowing ideas to confuse rather than enlighten. Also, over-concern with “right” relations may eclipse the personal will. When compromise becomes the only solution for every situation, it may come at the expense of getting what you want—at least some of the time.

Additionally, watch out for ideas that become so fixed that your perception of “right” belongs only to you but isn’t shared by anybody else…and be alert to the propensity to rationalize your emotions instead of FEELING them…

Finally, water Moons—Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces—are visceral because they feel their emotions acutely. Of all the elements, Water Moons are most likely to be highly sensitive, and to exhibit compassion, loyalty, sympathy, and empathy through deep and lasting emotional bonding.

This propensity to absorb other people’s pain in an attempt to alleviate the sufferer can land the water Moon Spirited Woman in a bit of hot water as she may ultimately find she attempts to escape her own emotions by absorbing herself in those of others. This is a slippery slope, though on the other side of the coin, water Moons are extremely intuitive, emotionally deep, and spiritually connected...

Fire, air, earth or water—one thing is for sure: The Spirited Woman’s Moon puts her in touch with her divinely inspired feminine wisdom. As many of us already know, when women concentrate on accessing their precious gift of intuitive wisdom, the results are often most amazing!

SheriHornHasanAmazon #1 Bestseller & professional intuitive psychological/archetypal/evolutionary astrologer at Karmic Evolution Astrology, Sheri Horn Hasan analyzes natal horoscopes as the blueprint that can help one’s soul to recognize & reach its highest destiny in this lifetime. Her mission is to assist others to move from chaos to clarity and co-create their own future through astrology! Read Sheri’s story about her astrological awakening!

Guest Blogger – Sheri Horn Hasan – The Spirited Woman: Spring & The Lost Matriarchy (Part Two)

ArtemisFor spirited women everywhere, the Spring Equinox is a big deal - it is an annual turning point in our lives and reflects many changes. But why does it affect us so? I invited Sheri Horn Hasan, an expert in Karmic Evolution Astrology back as our guest blogger to give us some answers - since her posts on Mercury in Retrograde were such a big hit. This time she has written a three-part series on the Spring Equinox and how it really influences the divine feminine in us all. This is Sheri’s second post.

As mentioned in last week’s blog, the Sun moved into Aries on May 19/20, marking the Spring Equinox, or the beginning of spring and a time of new birth. I pondered the question of how Aries, such male archetypal energy, came to dominate the portion of the cycle related to new life--one that would normally fall under the realm of female energy, including that of the Spirited Woman…

Humanity began its shift away from matriarchal times to the modern patriarchal era more than five thousand years ago. The advent of Judaism, the first monotheistic religion—one that pays homage to only one deity—slowly began to replace the more feminine-inspired and holistic-oriented pantheistic worship of many gods and goddesses.

This transition--away from revering different and varied gods and goddesses of nature and all that surrounds us as part of the more ancient intuitive divine feminine wisdom--proceeded throughout the next three millennia. It gained strength as Judaism morphed into Christianity two thousand years ago and with the rise of the Catholic Church (and other Christian denominations), and continued as it branched off into Islam after the birth of Mohammed, around 700 A.D.

What these three major religions have in common is monotheism. That is, they all believe in a single, all-powerful, omnipresent, omnipotent god—and one that usually takes the male form.

The Moon & The Divine Feminine

This slow transition, over the course of millennia, rendered the influence of many female goddesses such as Artemis--who represented the hunt, wildlife, childbirth, and who oversaw the protection of young children--obsolete.

Well, not obsolete—exactly…

It is important to note that Artemis was a virgin—and the protector of both young children and her own virginity, even if she had to act violently to do so. Many myths exist around her punishing males—sometimes with death--who tried to rape her, and she was often depicted carrying a bow and arrow. It was Artemis who kept coming to mind as the female goddess whose energy most closely approximated that of the male war god Mars (ruler of the sign Aries.)

As previously multi-faceted matriarchal energy shifted away from including attributes that we now define as more stereotypical male “animus” energy, Artemis became one of several female goddess archetypes to become more deeply aligned with the energies of the Moon.

And so, as the patriarchal view grew in strength, the more martial energies of both Artemis and other female goddesses morphed away from ambition, assertion, aggression, sexuality, and anger into the more narrowly defined female role of protection of children and the family in general.

The Moon & The Spirited Woman

Any Spirited Woman who’s a mother—or who watches over children in general—knows how her role to protect them from harm easily relates to Mars energy and is an inherent part of the nature of one’s feminine instincts. If not, suffice it to say that the image of the mother grizzly bear defending and protecting her cubs against outside influences should to the trick!

The Moon is cyclical in nature--she’s right brained, creative, intuitive, and in tune with nature’s cycles. While the more patriarchal Mars represents the movement into left-brained, empirical, evidence-driven, “if I can see it, then I can believe it” thinking, he relies more on instinct than on intuition. (Next week’s blog will explain the difference between these two!)

This slow shift has left the modern Spirited Woman without a mechanism through which she may pay the appropriate homage to her feminine intuition and the divine feminine within, regardless of with which gender she ultimately identifies.

This is neither “good” nor “bad.” It simply is…

The Moon in modern astrology is an indicator of our emotions. More than that, though, she tells us what we each need individually to feel secure in this world, and how we are capable of providing security to others. Simultaneously, we realize she’s the impetus behind which growth is maintained through consistent change and continual persistence.

Your Moon tells you how you process your emotions and exactly how you seek security. She also guides you to change and grow, as per the natural cycles of nature.

So where’s your Spirited Woman’s Moon? You can find it here, but you must have your date of birth, exact birth time (or as close as possible to it!), and the location of your birth: http://alabe.com/freechart/applying.asp

Stay tuned for next week’s final blog in this series and the description of your own personal Moon sign.

SheriHornHasanAmazon #1 Bestseller & professional intuitive psychological/archetypal/evolutionary astrologer at Karmic Evolution Astrology, Sheri Horn Hasan analyzes natal horoscopes as the blueprint that can help one’s soul to recognize & reach its highest destiny in this lifetime. Her mission is to assist others to move from chaos to clarity and co-create their own future through astrology! Read Sheri’s story about her astrological awakening!
 

Guest Blogger – Sheri Horn Hasan – The Spirited Woman: Spring & The Lost Matriarchy (Part Two)

ArtemisFor spirited women everywhere, the Spring Equinox is a big deal - it is an annual turning point in our lives and reflects many changes. But why does it affect us so? I invited Sheri Horn Hasan, an expert in Karmic Evolution Astrology back as our guest blogger to give us some answers - since her posts on Mercury in Retrograde were such a big hit. This time she has written a three-part series on the Spring Equinox and how it really influences the divine feminine in us all. This is Sheri’s second post.

As mentioned in last week’s blog, the Sun moved into Aries on May 19/20, marking the Spring Equinox, or the beginning of spring and a time of new birth. I pondered the question of how Aries, such male archetypal energy, came to dominate the portion of the cycle related to new life--one that would normally fall under the realm of female energy, including that of the Spirited Woman…

Humanity began its shift away from matriarchal times to the modern patriarchal era more than five thousand years ago. The advent of Judaism, the first monotheistic religion—one that pays homage to only one deity—slowly began to replace the more feminine-inspired and holistic-oriented pantheistic worship of many gods and goddesses.

This transition--away from revering different and varied gods and goddesses of nature and all that surrounds us as part of the more ancient intuitive divine feminine wisdom--proceeded throughout the next three millennia. It gained strength as Judaism morphed into Christianity two thousand years ago and with the rise of the Catholic Church (and other Christian denominations), and continued as it branched off into Islam after the birth of Mohammed, around 700 A.D.

What these three major religions have in common is monotheism. That is, they all believe in a single, all-powerful, omnipresent, omnipotent god—and one that usually takes the male form.

The Moon & The Divine Feminine

This slow transition, over the course of millennia, rendered the influence of many female goddesses such as Artemis--who represented the hunt, wildlife, childbirth, and who oversaw the protection of young children--obsolete.

Well, not obsolete—exactly…

It is important to note that Artemis was a virgin—and the protector of both young children and her own virginity, even if she had to act violently to do so. Many myths exist around her punishing males—sometimes with death--who tried to rape her, and she was often depicted carrying a bow and arrow. It was Artemis who kept coming to mind as the female goddess whose energy most closely approximated that of the male war god Mars (ruler of the sign Aries.)

As previously multi-faceted matriarchal energy shifted away from including attributes that we now define as more stereotypical male “animus” energy, Artemis became one of several female goddess archetypes to become more deeply aligned with the energies of the Moon.

And so, as the patriarchal view grew in strength, the more martial energies of both Artemis and other female goddesses morphed away from ambition, assertion, aggression, sexuality, and anger into the more narrowly defined female role of protection of children and the family in general.

The Moon & The Spirited Woman

Any Spirited Woman who’s a mother—or who watches over children in general—knows how her role to protect them from harm easily relates to Mars energy and is an inherent part of the nature of one’s feminine instincts. If not, suffice it to say that the image of the mother grizzly bear defending and protecting her cubs against outside influences should to the trick!

The Moon is cyclical in nature--she’s right brained, creative, intuitive, and in tune with nature’s cycles. While the more patriarchal Mars represents the movement into left-brained, empirical, evidence-driven, “if I can see it, then I can believe it” thinking, he relies more on instinct than on intuition. (Next week’s blog will explain the difference between these two!)

This slow shift has left the modern Spirited Woman without a mechanism through which she may pay the appropriate homage to her feminine intuition and the divine feminine within, regardless of with which gender she ultimately identifies.

This is neither “good” nor “bad.” It simply is…

The Moon in modern astrology is an indicator of our emotions. More than that, though, she tells us what we each need individually to feel secure in this world, and how we are capable of providing security to others. Simultaneously, we realize she’s the impetus behind which growth is maintained through consistent change and continual persistence.

Your Moon tells you how you process your emotions and exactly how you seek security. She also guides you to change and grow, as per the natural cycles of nature.

So where’s your Spirited Woman’s Moon? You can find it here, but you must have your date of birth, exact birth time (or as close as possible to it!), and the location of your birth: http://alabe.com/freechart/applying.asp

Stay tuned for next week’s final blog in this series and the description of your own personal Moon sign.

SheriHornHasanAmazon #1 Bestseller & professional intuitive psychological/archetypal/evolutionary astrologer at Karmic Evolution Astrology, Sheri Horn Hasan analyzes natal horoscopes as the blueprint that can help one’s soul to recognize & reach its highest destiny in this lifetime. Her mission is to assist others to move from chaos to clarity and co-create their own future through astrology! Read Sheri’s story about her astrological awakening!
 

Guest Blogger – Sheri Horn Hasan – The Spirited Woman: Aries & The Spring Equinox

Springequinox For spirited women everywhere, the Spring Equinox is a big deal - it is an annual turning point in our lives and reflects many changes. But why does it affect us so? I invited Sheri Horn Hasan, an expert in Karmic Evolution Astrology back as our guest blogger to give us some answers - since her posts on Mercury in Retrograde were such a big hit. This time she has written a three-part series on the Spring Equinox and how it really influences the divine feminine in us all. This is Sheri’s first post.

The Spring Equinox occurs on March 19/20 (the exact day depends on where you live)—when the Sun enters the constellation Aries, the fiery first sign of the zodiac-- making this a great time for the Spirited Woman to remember exactly what makes her spirited!

In astrology, the element of fire is synonymous with spirit. The fire sign Aries--ruled by the planet Mars, and associated with the warrior, soldier, athlete, hunter, conqueror, and leader--represents the capability to act independently and concerns taking action based on one’s motivation, ambition, and assertion.

Despite its general association with male energy, it’s abundantly clear that this predominantly male archetype is present also in females, as certainly a Spirited Woman may be born under the sign of the ram. And, despite its male orientation, Aries is synonymous with spring, and symbolizes a time of new birth. Seeds planted now will be harvested during summer and fall months.

The main thrust of Aries energy is that it’s about expression of one’s personal will and the ability to shout to the world: “I am!” Anytime a Spirited Woman chooses to move, dance, paint, sing, write, play, work, or otherwise express herself, it is Mars/Aries action that she takes.

Likewise, if she yells at her children, blows up at her boss, or honks her horn to warn the senior citizen crossing against the light, she is acting upon her Aries-influenced instinctual impulses. Archetypal Aries more negative manifestations can include aggression, anger, uber-sexuality, and violence.

Psychologist Carl Jung coined the terms “anima” and “animus” to describe the feminine and masculine qualities inherent in each individual’s psyche, or energetic make up, regardless of gender. Every Spirited Woman possesses a slightly different combination of the two.

Personal Will & The Feminine Divine

I got to wondering while drafting this piece, however, why the Mars/Aries archetype encompasses so much male energy without any mention in astrology of its feminine qualities, such as the strength it takes to give birth or, say, to endure a certain kind of monthly pain.

So where’s our female archetypal warrior, athlete, hunter role model here?

After all, the right to move freely, and to express one’s self and one’s personal will free from restraint--be that will physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual--is a universal one.

Images of Artemis, goddess of the hunt, as she was known in ancient Greece (the Romans called her Diana) kept coming to mind. Often she was depicted holding a bow and arrow and accompanied by a stag.

As I refreshed my memory about this archetype, I remembered that more than 5,000 years ago—before the rise of the patriarchy—Artemis and other goddesses were even more highly revered than any of their male counterparts.

There existed then “an understanding of the connection between death and rebirth…and the cyclically renewing Moon Goddess, who was worshiped by ancient peoples,” writes astrologer and classics scholar Demetra George in Mysteries Of The Dark Moon.

“The Goddess’s teachings held that death was but the precursor to rebirth, and that sex can be used not only for procreation, but also for ecstasy, healing, regeneration, and spiritual illumination.”

The Astrological Moon

Western astrologers agree that the Moon represents one’s roots, home, family, security, tradition, mother, and the past. The Moon has to do with memory because it is in our memories that we store our emotions.

When the world was matriarchal in nature, it revered natural cycles--a woman’s cycles. It stood in awe of a female’s capability to give birth just as it stood in awe of Mother Earth’s capability to bring forth plants and foods that fed and nourished the body and kept one from living in more than simply survival mode.

So why has Mars/Aries become the dominant symbol of our will and our drive, and what happened to Artemis?

“When humanity shifted its allegiance to the worship of solar gods, the symbols of the Goddess began to disappear from culture and her teachings became forgotten, repressed, and distorted,” George explains.

Ha, but as every Spirited Woman knows, the matriarchy of yore may be gone—but it is not forgotten! Stay tuned for Part Two of this blog series when we’ll talk more about the divine feminine and your personal Moon, including how to identify the Moon sign under which you were born!

SheriHornHasanAmazon #1 Bestseller & professional intuitive psychological/archetypal/evolutionary astrologer at Karmic Evolution Astrology, Sheri Horn Hasan analyzes natal horoscopes as the blueprint that can help one’s soul to recognize & reach its highest destiny in this lifetime. Her mission is to assist others to move from chaos to clarity and co-create their own future through astrology! Read Sheri’s story about her astrological awakening!
 

Guest Blogger – Sheri Horn Hasan – The Spirited Woman: Aries & The Spring Equinox

Springequinox For spirited women everywhere, the Spring Equinox is a big deal - it is an annual turning point in our lives and reflects many changes. But why does it affect us so? I invited Sheri Horn Hasan, an expert in Karmic Evolution Astrology back as our guest blogger to give us some answers - since her posts on Mercury in Retrograde were such a big hit. This time she has written a three-part series on the Spring Equinox and how it really influences the divine feminine in us all. This is Sheri’s first post.

The Spring Equinox occurs on March 19/20 (the exact day depends on where you live)—when the Sun enters the constellation Aries, the fiery first sign of the zodiac-- making this a great time for the Spirited Woman to remember exactly what makes her spirited!

In astrology, the element of fire is synonymous with spirit. The fire sign Aries--ruled by the planet Mars, and associated with the warrior, soldier, athlete, hunter, conqueror, and leader--represents the capability to act independently and concerns taking action based on one’s motivation, ambition, and assertion.

Despite its general association with male energy, it’s abundantly clear that this predominantly male archetype is present also in females, as certainly a Spirited Woman may be born under the sign of the ram. And, despite its male orientation, Aries is synonymous with spring, and symbolizes a time of new birth. Seeds planted now will be harvested during summer and fall months.

The main thrust of Aries energy is that it’s about expression of one’s personal will and the ability to shout to the world: “I am!” Anytime a Spirited Woman chooses to move, dance, paint, sing, write, play, work, or otherwise express herself, it is Mars/Aries action that she takes.

Likewise, if she yells at her children, blows up at her boss, or honks her horn to warn the senior citizen crossing against the light, she is acting upon her Aries-influenced instinctual impulses. Archetypal Aries more negative manifestations can include aggression, anger, uber-sexuality, and violence.

Psychologist Carl Jung coined the terms “anima” and “animus” to describe the feminine and masculine qualities inherent in each individual’s psyche, or energetic make up, regardless of gender. Every Spirited Woman possesses a slightly different combination of the two.

Personal Will & The Feminine Divine

I got to wondering while drafting this piece, however, why the Mars/Aries archetype encompasses so much male energy without any mention in astrology of its feminine qualities, such as the strength it takes to give birth or, say, to endure a certain kind of monthly pain.

So where’s our female archetypal warrior, athlete, hunter role model here?

After all, the right to move freely, and to express one’s self and one’s personal will free from restraint--be that will physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual--is a universal one.

Images of Artemis, goddess of the hunt, as she was known in ancient Greece (the Romans called her Diana) kept coming to mind. Often she was depicted holding a bow and arrow and accompanied by a stag.

As I refreshed my memory about this archetype, I remembered that more than 5,000 years ago—before the rise of the patriarchy—Artemis and other goddesses were even more highly revered than any of their male counterparts.

There existed then “an understanding of the connection between death and rebirth…and the cyclically renewing Moon Goddess, who was worshiped by ancient peoples,” writes astrologer and classics scholar Demetra George in Mysteries Of The Dark Moon.

“The Goddess’s teachings held that death was but the precursor to rebirth, and that sex can be used not only for procreation, but also for ecstasy, healing, regeneration, and spiritual illumination.”

The Astrological Moon

Western astrologers agree that the Moon represents one’s roots, home, family, security, tradition, mother, and the past. The Moon has to do with memory because it is in our memories that we store our emotions.

When the world was matriarchal in nature, it revered natural cycles--a woman’s cycles. It stood in awe of a female’s capability to give birth just as it stood in awe of Mother Earth’s capability to bring forth plants and foods that fed and nourished the body and kept one from living in more than simply survival mode.

So why has Mars/Aries become the dominant symbol of our will and our drive, and what happened to Artemis?

“When humanity shifted its allegiance to the worship of solar gods, the symbols of the Goddess began to disappear from culture and her teachings became forgotten, repressed, and distorted,” George explains.

Ha, but as every Spirited Woman knows, the matriarchy of yore may be gone—but it is not forgotten! Stay tuned for Part Two of this blog series when we’ll talk more about the divine feminine and your personal Moon, including how to identify the Moon sign under which you were born!

SheriHornHasanAmazon #1 Bestseller & professional intuitive psychological/archetypal/evolutionary astrologer at Karmic Evolution Astrology, Sheri Horn Hasan analyzes natal horoscopes as the blueprint that can help one’s soul to recognize & reach its highest destiny in this lifetime. Her mission is to assist others to move from chaos to clarity and co-create their own future through astrology! Read Sheri’s story about her astrological awakening!
 

Guest Blogger – Sheri Horn Hasan – Mercury Retrograde Review

MercuryretrogradeI invited Karmic Evolutionary Astrologer, Sheri Horn Hasan, to do a series on Mercury Retrograde - but from a positive perspective. This is her third and final post in her guest blogger series.

If you’re a Spirited Woman who’s had difficulty over the past two and a half weeks with your computer, cell phone, television (or other technological/electronic equipment)—not to mention issues around travel delays, missing tickets, or scheduling snafus—rest assured that your troubles will soon abate.

I myself traveled cross-country last week and upon arrival at my destination (after six hours on an airplane), discovered my computer had crashed. You can’t get much more Mercury retrograde than that!

However, there is an end in sight…

On Monday, January 25, Mercury the messenger god will begin to appear to stop moving in the sky—this is called a “station”—and slowly appear to pick up speed once again over the next week or so.

Unreturned phone calls, unanswered emails, and Facebook messages that you’d begun to assume never reached their destination will slowly but surely be returned, answered, and received. In short, communication will resume its pre-Mercury retrograde pace.

Now that the first Mercury retrograde period of 2016 is almost over, it pays to take a look again at how during this time you may have experienced the subtle exchange of information between your conscious brain and subconscious.

As I mentioned last week, this current Mercury retrograde cycle is occurring in the sign of Capricorn--representative of the type of concrete tangible manifestation that’s connected with our ego’s definition of “success.”

You may want to look back at this period—when all is said and done—and conduct a Mercury retrograde review. In this way you may begin to attempt to discover where tangible concrete progress toward discerning whether your ego’s definition of “success” is in alignment with what your soul needs to be truly happy and fulfilled.

As our world begins to slowly return to normal, let us start to connect the dots of Mercury retrogrades’ true purpose: to allow the integration of our conscious thoughts and desires with that of our deeply rooted unconscious needs.

Your attitude toward your finances and material possessions may be ripe for scrutiny now. Any changes necessary to shore up your sense of security—be it financial or spiritual—should be contemplated during Mercury’s retrograde cycle through an earth sign.

Becoming aware of the connection between the deeper value of the Spirited Woman’s resources--in both their physical form of material goods and money, and in the more spiritual and esoteric guise of soul growth—is strongly recommended.

Mercury Retrogrades In 2016

For this entire year, Mercury will retrograde through earth signs. As the retrograde cycle in Capricorn comes to a close, we will begin to prepare for April 28’s next Mercury retrograde cycle, this time in Taurus.

Taurus—ruled by the planet Venus—is all about values. At this time you will be called to look into where your priorities lie in terms of your hierarchy of needs, including the needs of the physical body.

Taurus is an earth sign that rules the five senses, which provide us with the pleasures of life: touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing. How do these five senses help us to define that which we truly need to be happy? What do they tell us about the care necessary to maintain our bodies and keep our senses alert and alive?

When Mercury retrogrades through Virgo beginning August 30, he will be finishing up this year’s emphasis on earth signs, and denote the spirited woman’s needs to continue to pay attention to health and physical well-being.

Earth signs in astrology correspond to earthy themes—business and success, the physical body, five senses, & material value, and health, work, and service. These Mercury retrograde periods remind us to take stock of what is our true definition of success, what it is that we truly value, and what we need in the way of satisfying work and service to maintain a physically healthy body & psyche.

At the end of the day, this earthy trio of considerations is what Mercury retrogrades remind the spirited woman to keep top of mind. In this way we become more conscious of how to keep ourselves happy and healthy--mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally!

SheriHornHasanAmazon #1 Bestseller & professional intuitive psychological/archetypal/evolutionary astrologer at Karmic Evolution Astrology, Sheri Horn Hasan analyzes natal horoscopes as the blueprint that can help one’s soul to recognize & reach its highest destiny in this lifetime. Her mission is to assist others to move from chaos to clarity and co-create their own future through astrology! Read Sheri’s story about her astrological awakening!
 

Guest Blogger – Sheri Horn Hasan – Mercury Retrograde Review

MercuryretrogradeI invited Karmic Evolutionary Astrologer, Sheri Horn Hasan, to do a series on Mercury Retrograde - but from a positive perspective. This is her third and final post in her guest blogger series.

If you’re a Spirited Woman who’s had difficulty over the past two and a half weeks with your computer, cell phone, television (or other technological/electronic equipment)—not to mention issues around travel delays, missing tickets, or scheduling snafus—rest assured that your troubles will soon abate.

I myself traveled cross-country last week and upon arrival at my destination (after six hours on an airplane), discovered my computer had crashed. You can’t get much more Mercury retrograde than that!

However, there is an end in sight…

On Monday, January 25, Mercury the messenger god will begin to appear to stop moving in the sky—this is called a “station”—and slowly appear to pick up speed once again over the next week or so.

Unreturned phone calls, unanswered emails, and Facebook messages that you’d begun to assume never reached their destination will slowly but surely be returned, answered, and received. In short, communication will resume its pre-Mercury retrograde pace.

Now that the first Mercury retrograde period of 2016 is almost over, it pays to take a look again at how during this time you may have experienced the subtle exchange of information between your conscious brain and subconscious.

As I mentioned last week, this current Mercury retrograde cycle is occurring in the sign of Capricorn--representative of the type of concrete tangible manifestation that’s connected with our ego’s definition of “success.”

You may want to look back at this period—when all is said and done—and conduct a Mercury retrograde review. In this way you may begin to attempt to discover where tangible concrete progress toward discerning whether your ego’s definition of “success” is in alignment with what your soul needs to be truly happy and fulfilled.

As our world begins to slowly return to normal, let us start to connect the dots of Mercury retrogrades’ true purpose: to allow the integration of our conscious thoughts and desires with that of our deeply rooted unconscious needs.

Your attitude toward your finances and material possessions may be ripe for scrutiny now. Any changes necessary to shore up your sense of security—be it financial or spiritual—should be contemplated during Mercury’s retrograde cycle through an earth sign.

Becoming aware of the connection between the deeper value of the Spirited Woman’s resources--in both their physical form of material goods and money, and in the more spiritual and esoteric guise of soul growth—is strongly recommended.

Mercury Retrogrades In 2016

For this entire year, Mercury will retrograde through earth signs. As the retrograde cycle in Capricorn comes to a close, we will begin to prepare for April 28’s next Mercury retrograde cycle, this time in Taurus.

Taurus—ruled by the planet Venus—is all about values. At this time you will be called to look into where your priorities lie in terms of your hierarchy of needs, including the needs of the physical body.

Taurus is an earth sign that rules the five senses, which provide us with the pleasures of life: touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing. How do these five senses help us to define that which we truly need to be happy? What do they tell us about the care necessary to maintain our bodies and keep our senses alert and alive?

When Mercury retrogrades through Virgo beginning August 30, he will be finishing up this year’s emphasis on earth signs, and denote the spirited woman’s needs to continue to pay attention to health and physical well-being.

Earth signs in astrology correspond to earthy themes—business and success, the physical body, five senses, & material value, and health, work, and service. These Mercury retrograde periods remind us to take stock of what is our true definition of success, what it is that we truly value, and what we need in the way of satisfying work and service to maintain a physically healthy body & psyche.

At the end of the day, this earthy trio of considerations is what Mercury retrogrades remind the spirited woman to keep top of mind. In this way we become more conscious of how to keep ourselves happy and healthy--mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally!

SheriHornHasanAmazon #1 Bestseller & professional intuitive psychological/archetypal/evolutionary astrologer at Karmic Evolution Astrology, Sheri Horn Hasan analyzes natal horoscopes as the blueprint that can help one’s soul to recognize & reach its highest destiny in this lifetime. Her mission is to assist others to move from chaos to clarity and co-create their own future through astrology! Read Sheri’s story about her astrological awakening!
 

Guest Blogger – Sheri Horn Hasan – The Benefits Of Mercury Retrograde

Sheri Horn Hasan, an expert in Karmic Evolution Astrology to do a three-part series on Mercury in Retrograde - but from a positive perspective. This is Sheri’s first post. - See more at: http://www.thespiritedwoman.com/go_blog_blog_blog/#sthash.BFuKtV7m.dpuf
Sheri Horn Hasan, an expert in Karmic Evolution Astrology to do a three-part series on Mercury in Retrograde - but from a positive perspective. This is Sheri’s first post. - See more at: http://www.thespiritedwoman.com/go_blog_blog_blog/#sthash.BFuKtV7m.dpuf

MercuryI invited Sheri Horn Hasan, an expert in Karmic Evolution Astrology to do a three-part series on Mercury in Retrograde - but from a positive perspective. This is Sheri’s second post.

Last week’s blog centered on how Mercury retrograde periods are quiet, barely noticed opportunities for the Spirited Woman to incorporate her innate, inherent, intuitive wisdom from her subconscious into her conscious brain, and vice versa.

This week let’s look at Mercury’s primary function and how all spirited women may benefit from Mercury retrograde periods!

The ancients regularly watched the planets in the sky and noticed how activity occurring on earth mirrored planetary interactions in the heavens. Way before the invention of telescopes and other technological devices this cause and effect became clear to them time after time.

Mercury is the messenger of the gods. His movement in the heavens foretells times when archetypal themes related to communication, learning, and how the mind processes information, occur. Mercury represents the twins Castor & Pollux and so is also directly related to siblings, early childhood learning, local commerce, and transportation.

Often during his retrograde periods - this one has been in effect from January 5 and will last until January 25 - we find ourselves reviewing rather than moving forward boldly into new plans, be these plans personal or business-oriented.

Watch for the themes mentioned above to become prominent now in one way or another as they seem to have been placed temporarily on hold causing us each various degrees of frustration…

Tuning In To The Rhythm Of Mercury Retrograde

As the Spirited Woman is being called to listen to her soul’s internal intuitive wisdom, and her psyche is busy becoming wiser, she doesn’t have the space in her brain to concentrate on moving forward - yet.

“The use of this cycle alerts us to the unconscious rhythms of reflection, and attunes us to our inner clock by dint of knowing when concentration and introspection are most needed,” writes psychological astrologer Erin Sullivan in her book “Retrograde Planets.”

“When to consider and reconsider ideas, projects, relationships, and lifestyle according to one’s own unique timing is the greater purpose of Mercury retrograde,” Sullivan concludes.

All Mercury retrograde periods for 2016 will be in earth signs. Earth signs are always about manifesting on the physical plane, and their general purpose - at least in part - is to ensure not only that we survive but that we feel safe and secure in our environment, our relationships, our careers, etc.

The current retrograde period is in the sign of the sea goat: Capricorn.

Archetypal Capricorn energy is ultimately about becoming one’s own best authority (i.e., one’s own best parent) and standing on one’s own two feet as a mature individual.

Capricorn energy is also associated with making tangible concrete progress in one’s life, and so it is connected to the concept of success. But the question always comes up: success at what cost?

Often, a Spirited Woman’s ego may unknowingly get in the way of what her soul truly needs to be happy in this lifetime. When this happens, it becomes an ego trip down the wrong path toward a perception of “happiness” not based on an inner sense of intuitive wisdom, but rather ( and often) on a misguided attempt to achieve something that one has been told, taught, or forced to believe will bring true “happiness” or “success.”

Mercury retrograde in Capricorn now calls us to go deep about what kind of foundation we really want to lay in order to be certain that we may successfully build upon our dreams. Discerning which dreams stand the solid chance of becoming reality and which are solely flights of fantasy by listening to one’s gut is part of this period’s internal work.

For some of us spirited women, this means having the courage to listen to our internal voices - our higher selves - to ascertain what will ultimately make our souls truly happy.

When we heed the call of other - those who have had authority over our lives when young, those who told us, taught us, or forced us to believe a definition of “success” that does not match our true inner selves - we may be investing in the wrong dream.

Becoming mindful that any delays or slowdowns in your progress are for a reason right now is most helpful. We cannot multi-task Mercury retrogrades away with wishful thinking. It’s far more appropriate - and rewarding - for every Spirited Woman to honor the natural rhythms of life and go with the flow…in due time all will become clearer and you’ll be back on your path moving forward again!

Stay Tuned! More About What Happens When Mercury Moves Forward Next Week!  

SheriHornHasanAmazon #1 Bestseller & professional intuitive psychological/archetypal/evolutionary astrologer at Karmic Evolution Astrology, Sheri Horn Hasan analyzes natal horoscopes as the blueprint that can help one’s soul to recognize & reach its highest destiny in this lifetime. Her mission is to assist others to move from chaos to clarity and co-create their own future through astrology! Read Sheri’s story about her astrological awakening!

Guest Blogger – Sheri Horn Hasan – The Benefits Of Mercury Retrograde

Sheri Horn Hasan, an expert in Karmic Evolution Astrology to do a three-part series on Mercury in Retrograde - but from a positive perspective. This is Sheri’s first post. - See more at: http://www.thespiritedwoman.com/go_blog_blog_blog/#sthash.BFuKtV7m.dpuf
Sheri Horn Hasan, an expert in Karmic Evolution Astrology to do a three-part series on Mercury in Retrograde - but from a positive perspective. This is Sheri’s first post. - See more at: http://www.thespiritedwoman.com/go_blog_blog_blog/#sthash.BFuKtV7m.dpuf

MercuryI invited Sheri Horn Hasan, an expert in Karmic Evolution Astrology to do a three-part series on Mercury in Retrograde - but from a positive perspective. This is Sheri’s second post.

Last week’s blog centered on how Mercury retrograde periods are quiet, barely noticed opportunities for the Spirited Woman to incorporate her innate, inherent, intuitive wisdom from her subconscious into her conscious brain, and vice versa.

This week let’s look at Mercury’s primary function and how all spirited women may benefit from Mercury retrograde periods!

The ancients regularly watched the planets in the sky and noticed how activity occurring on earth mirrored planetary interactions in the heavens. Way before the invention of telescopes and other technological devices this cause and effect became clear to them time after time.

Mercury is the messenger of the gods. His movement in the heavens foretells times when archetypal themes related to communication, learning, and how the mind processes information, occur. Mercury represents the twins Castor & Pollux and so is also directly related to siblings, early childhood learning, local commerce, and transportation.

Often during his retrograde periods - this one has been in effect from January 5 and will last until January 25 - we find ourselves reviewing rather than moving forward boldly into new plans, be these plans personal or business-oriented.

Watch for the themes mentioned above to become prominent now in one way or another as they seem to have been placed temporarily on hold causing us each various degrees of frustration…

Tuning In To The Rhythm Of Mercury Retrograde

As the Spirited Woman is being called to listen to her soul’s internal intuitive wisdom, and her psyche is busy becoming wiser, she doesn’t have the space in her brain to concentrate on moving forward - yet.

“The use of this cycle alerts us to the unconscious rhythms of reflection, and attunes us to our inner clock by dint of knowing when concentration and introspection are most needed,” writes psychological astrologer Erin Sullivan in her book “Retrograde Planets.”

“When to consider and reconsider ideas, projects, relationships, and lifestyle according to one’s own unique timing is the greater purpose of Mercury retrograde,” Sullivan concludes.

All Mercury retrograde periods for 2016 will be in earth signs. Earth signs are always about manifesting on the physical plane, and their general purpose - at least in part - is to ensure not only that we survive but that we feel safe and secure in our environment, our relationships, our careers, etc.

The current retrograde period is in the sign of the sea goat: Capricorn.

Archetypal Capricorn energy is ultimately about becoming one’s own best authority (i.e., one’s own best parent) and standing on one’s own two feet as a mature individual.

Capricorn energy is also associated with making tangible concrete progress in one’s life, and so it is connected to the concept of success. But the question always comes up: success at what cost?

Often, a Spirited Woman’s ego may unknowingly get in the way of what her soul truly needs to be happy in this lifetime. When this happens, it becomes an ego trip down the wrong path toward a perception of “happiness” not based on an inner sense of intuitive wisdom, but rather ( and often) on a misguided attempt to achieve something that one has been told, taught, or forced to believe will bring true “happiness” or “success.”

Mercury retrograde in Capricorn now calls us to go deep about what kind of foundation we really want to lay in order to be certain that we may successfully build upon our dreams. Discerning which dreams stand the solid chance of becoming reality and which are solely flights of fantasy by listening to one’s gut is part of this period’s internal work.

For some of us spirited women, this means having the courage to listen to our internal voices - our higher selves - to ascertain what will ultimately make our souls truly happy.

When we heed the call of other - those who have had authority over our lives when young, those who told us, taught us, or forced us to believe a definition of “success” that does not match our true inner selves - we may be investing in the wrong dream.

Becoming mindful that any delays or slowdowns in your progress are for a reason right now is most helpful. We cannot multi-task Mercury retrogrades away with wishful thinking. It’s far more appropriate - and rewarding - for every Spirited Woman to honor the natural rhythms of life and go with the flow…in due time all will become clearer and you’ll be back on your path moving forward again!

Stay Tuned! More About What Happens When Mercury Moves Forward Next Week!  

SheriHornHasanAmazon #1 Bestseller & professional intuitive psychological/archetypal/evolutionary astrologer at Karmic Evolution Astrology, Sheri Horn Hasan analyzes natal horoscopes as the blueprint that can help one’s soul to recognize & reach its highest destiny in this lifetime. Her mission is to assist others to move from chaos to clarity and co-create their own future through astrology! Read Sheri’s story about her astrological awakening!

Guest Blogger – Sheri Horn Hasan – The Deeper Meaning Mercury Of Retrograde

MercuryretrogradeIt appears that a multitude of spirited women are interested in astrology. The stars seem to fascinate us. From sun signs to rising signs we are hooked. And often times, when a Mercury in Retrograde period comes up, which we are in now - we panic just a bit - because we have read so many negative things about it. I invited Sheri Horn Hasan, an expert in Karmic Evolution Astrology to do a three-part series on Mercury in Retrograde - but from a positive perspective. This is Sheri’s first post.

I turned to the study of astrology (a subject about which I'd always been curious) when I was diagnosed with a chronic, incurable, potentially-debilitating autoimmune disease nearly 16 years ago - to help me make sense of my world. I'd love to share with spirited women everywhere how the power of understanding the energies of the universe may lead us toward greater self-acceptance, self-love, empowerment, and true soul growth.

When I began my journey toward greater self-awareness, the first step became the realization that life is always a matter of choice and that my future lies in my hands and no one else's. Now a professional astrologer and past life regression facilitator (in addition to my work as a professional writing coach & editor), I believe the universe is benign, always works in our best interest, and provides us with continual and consistent opportunities to grow in consciousness each and every moment of each and every day.

While our egos may not always get what they want, we may rest assured the universe will always provide the spirited woman's soul with what it needs.

So when Mercury retrograde periods happen, as they do 3-4 times per year, instead of quaking in my boots, I began to go deep about how this time is better spent recognizing it as an opportunity for me--and all spirited women--to become wiser.

Many people think of these periods--when the planet Mercury appears to stop in its tracks in the sky and move backward for approximately 21 days—as times when communication between humans on Earth gets all screwed up.

Indeed, often we do miss appointments, lose our cell phones, forget our plane tickets, suffer the agonizing indignity of not having our phone calls or emails returned—for weeks!—and generally miss the small print on just about everything, from major contracts to minor purchases.

Never heard of it? Then let me give it to you straight: Mercury retrograde periods—which will occur four times in 2016—are meant to help, not harm, us.

We are, in fact, in a Mercury retrograde period right now--one that began on January 5. This period will last until January 25 when Mercury appears to stand still and then begin to move forward slowly, gradually picking up speed as he goes.

The good news?

This period--often one in which other astrologers shout dire warnings about not signing contracts, making large new purchases (especially of electronic equipment), starting a new project, or forming a new business--actually presents the spirited woman with the capability to incorporate her innate intuitive knowledge (from her subconscious) into the more empirical part of her brain as true wisdom.

Similarly, the reason astrologers tell you that Mercury retrograde periods are a time to engage in all of the  “re’s”—i.e., to re-do, re-think, re-organize, re-process, re-evaluate, re-view, etc.—is because we’re also being given the opportunity to take information collected consciously and to process it into our unconscious.

This cannot happen, however, without a suspension of the more logical portion of our brains, with often results in the kind of confusion that leads one to think she's purchased the tickets but hasn't, to leave one's cell phone on the bus, or generally get communication signals crossed in one way or another.

However, the result--an increase in the spirited woman's consciously realized creative capability and resulting empowerment--is almost always worth it!

Stay tuned! Next week: More About THIS Mercury Retrograde Period!

SheriHornHasanAmazon #1 Bestseller & professional intuitive psychological/archetypal/evolutionary astrologer at Karmic Evolution Astrology, Sheri Horn Hasan analyzes natal horoscopes as the blueprint that can help one’s soul to recognize & reach its highest destiny in this lifetime. Her mission is to assist others to move from chaos to clarity and co-create their own future through astrology! Read Sheri’s story about her astrological awakening!

Guest Blogger – Sheri Horn Hasan – The Deeper Meaning Mercury Of Retrograde

MercuryretrogradeIt appears that a multitude of spirited women are interested in astrology. The stars seem to fascinate us. From sun signs to rising signs we are hooked. And often times, when a Mercury in Retrograde period comes up, which we are in now - we panic just a bit - because we have read so many negative things about it. I invited Sheri Horn Hasan, an expert in Karmic Evolution Astrology to do a three-part series on Mercury in Retrograde - but from a positive perspective. This is Sheri’s first post.

I turned to the study of astrology (a subject about which I'd always been curious) when I was diagnosed with a chronic, incurable, potentially-debilitating autoimmune disease nearly 16 years ago - to help me make sense of my world. I'd love to share with spirited women everywhere how the power of understanding the energies of the universe may lead us toward greater self-acceptance, self-love, empowerment, and true soul growth.

When I began my journey toward greater self-awareness, the first step became the realization that life is always a matter of choice and that my future lies in my hands and no one else's. Now a professional astrologer and past life regression facilitator (in addition to my work as a professional writing coach & editor), I believe the universe is benign, always works in our best interest, and provides us with continual and consistent opportunities to grow in consciousness each and every moment of each and every day.

While our egos may not always get what they want, we may rest assured the universe will always provide the spirited woman's soul with what it needs.

So when Mercury retrograde periods happen, as they do 3-4 times per year, instead of quaking in my boots, I began to go deep about how this time is better spent recognizing it as an opportunity for me--and all spirited women--to become wiser.

Many people think of these periods--when the planet Mercury appears to stop in its tracks in the sky and move backward for approximately 21 days—as times when communication between humans on Earth gets all screwed up.

Indeed, often we do miss appointments, lose our cell phones, forget our plane tickets, suffer the agonizing indignity of not having our phone calls or emails returned—for weeks!—and generally miss the small print on just about everything, from major contracts to minor purchases.

Never heard of it? Then let me give it to you straight: Mercury retrograde periods—which will occur four times in 2016—are meant to help, not harm, us.

We are, in fact, in a Mercury retrograde period right now--one that began on January 5. This period will last until January 25 when Mercury appears to stand still and then begin to move forward slowly, gradually picking up speed as he goes.

The good news?

This period--often one in which other astrologers shout dire warnings about not signing contracts, making large new purchases (especially of electronic equipment), starting a new project, or forming a new business--actually presents the spirited woman with the capability to incorporate her innate intuitive knowledge (from her subconscious) into the more empirical part of her brain as true wisdom.

Similarly, the reason astrologers tell you that Mercury retrograde periods are a time to engage in all of the  “re’s”—i.e., to re-do, re-think, re-organize, re-process, re-evaluate, re-view, etc.—is because we’re also being given the opportunity to take information collected consciously and to process it into our unconscious.

This cannot happen, however, without a suspension of the more logical portion of our brains, with often results in the kind of confusion that leads one to think she's purchased the tickets but hasn't, to leave one's cell phone on the bus, or generally get communication signals crossed in one way or another.

However, the result--an increase in the spirited woman's consciously realized creative capability and resulting empowerment--is almost always worth it!

Stay tuned! Next week: More About THIS Mercury Retrograde Period!

SheriHornHasanAmazon #1 Bestseller & professional intuitive psychological/archetypal/evolutionary astrologer at Karmic Evolution Astrology, Sheri Horn Hasan analyzes natal horoscopes as the blueprint that can help one’s soul to recognize & reach its highest destiny in this lifetime. Her mission is to assist others to move from chaos to clarity and co-create their own future through astrology! Read Sheri’s story about her astrological awakening!