by Alison | Feb 12, 2021 | Blog
When we set out to know more about the Planet Mercury it is to delve deeply into how each of us communicates with each other and with the world in which we live. 
Thought becomes form and there is a Mercurial key!
So who, what, why, where and how does Mercury energy have such an effect?
Where is Mercury?
The Planet Mercury is the closest to the Sun and is also the smallest planet. Mercury gets extremely hot during the day and very cold at night due to the lack of atmosphere – he cannot hold onto his heat … or his messages! Cold, cold, cold, and hot, hot, hot! Very mercurial.
Mercury is the fastest moving planet and takes around 88 days to orbit the Sun. However, from an astrological point of view, we usually find Mercury in the same sign of the zodiac as the Sun. I say ‘usually’ as Mercury timings can be a little, shall we say, erratic due to a retrograde motion three or four times in a calendar year. – more about that change in energy later! Mostly we can know that Mercury is very close to the Sun and so in the same ‘star sign’.
Who is Mercury?
There are so many clues to the nature and layers of Mercury symbolism/resonance in astrology already in the information mentioned. Even more unfold when we look at the Glyph. 
Starting at the bottom the cross is symbolic of the connection between body and mind.
Next the unbroken circle represents Spirit and life force.
And finally the half circle resting at the top is in receptive mode and open to the Universe.
Mercury as the Messenger
When we see an image of Mercury he is sometimes depicted as having wings on his feet. This symbolises the fleeting nature of his journey around the Universe and he is known as the Quick-silver fast moving messenger 
who, in mythology, collected and delivered messages between the earth dwellers and the gods.
This is a useful quick-witted energy for trade and negotiations, aspiring to goals or exploring new ideas. Mercury communicates by broadcasting and is in his element when learning something new. There are no emotions in the Mercury ‘speech’, ‘thought’, ‘ideas’ as it is all about the intellect and imagery.
In the Tarot Mercury is symbolised by the Magician archetype and so we can draw upon the energy of mind-power.
Astrological Insights
Mercury rules Wednesday and, by looking at the old name of Woden day we also unwrap layers of mythology. Woden was King of the Anglo-Saxon gods / Odin the chief in Norse mythology.
Both Gemini & Virgo are ruled by Mercury and we see very different personalities displayed by Mercurial energy through those signs. In Gemini he will offer the quick wit and fast intellect whilst in Virgo he offers attention to detail and deep thinking.
We all have the planet Mercury somewhere in our birth chart and by considering the sign of the zodiac in which he was at our birth (usually our Sun/Star sign) together with the placement in the chart (the house) we are able to ascertain the nature of Mercury for us as an individual. 
Do you know where Mercury was at the moment of your birth?
How we use Mercury is determined by that placing and, by really delving deeply into understanding this, we establish our own unique ways of communicating and of learning. And how we negotiate in business … and our money mindset … and just about every other Mercurial trait you could think of! Of course we also use the Mercury energy by seeing where the planet is astrologically at a particular time and the patterns made with other stars/planets.
Our universe continually giving us energies to choose from to use for our purpose on a daily (or moment by moment) basis!
Know more about Mercury going retrograde!
Mercury Retrograde usually only happens three times in a year. And it’s for less than three weeks each time, but the amount of press that messenger planet gets is far out of proportion to the amount of time, he is spending in retrograde! It is useful to know more about Mercury retrograde as it is a very, very significant planetary energy, and one that we can really enjoy using.
Let’s dispel a myth straight away! A Mercury retrograde will not cause your computer to crash or washing machine to break down. However you may become more aware of problems that need addressing during this period of time! It’s all about tweaking, refining, considering, editing, looking at dotting the i’s and crossing the T’s.
Nothing in our universe goes backwards as our universe moves forwards, all of the time. The planets ,the stars, asteroids are all constantly
moving at different paces creating unique patterns in the sky and in the universe around us. However every now and again it appears as if Mercury is going backwards from our perspective here on planet Earth. The energy will have changed. It’s a subtle shift in energy but oh my word, it truly is so very useful.
Absolutely useful.
Where do you need to take a step back and revisit or RE DO or edit or reconsider or give it that final polish before you release your message or material to the world. Or what will you receive during this time? Or learn?
Remember everything about the universe is about offering choices and potentials for us to make, or be, the best version of ourselves.
We have free choice and free will. You choose the what, where, how …!
<<Read more>> here about the nature of time and retrograde planets.
And don’t forget we are of the stars.
We live here on planet Earth.
As always, with love, from Alison xx
<<click here to book a call with me to talk!>>
by Alison | Jan 27, 2021 | Blog, News
Are you sensing the change in frequency?
Days become brighter. Seasons moving on….
How are you? I’d like to take a moment to offer my love to everyone as we go through these particular times – challenging in different ways for each of us.
However time, and the planets, do move on and I wonder if you are feeling the new energy beginning to emerge? Or are you wondering whether, and how, anything will ever budge again.
January is one of those months where so much happens and yet so little. The snowdrops begin to raise their flowers out of the ground and we have put away the decorations from the festive season as, already, we see that the light is returning. We are alternately shivering in the cold and delighting in the frost and snow. The frost and ice will conjure beautiful patterns especially on glass. Nature being magical!
New Year, New Me? Or …
January is not a month to make firm plans for the rest of the year. And yet our calendars and diaries all begin with January …
Our Gregorian calendar, with 365 days in a year and 12 months in a year, was only introduced in 1582 which isn’t very long ago as far as our history on this planet is concerned. And we see the introduction of a leap year day every four years to correct the fact that the Universe really doesn’t conform to a strict 24 hour day.
Read more <<here>> for my latest blog about listening to our own rhythm of waking and sleeping patterns!
February energy is much more suited to the beginning of dreams waiting to become plans and so I invite you, over the next few days, to start dreaming!
To tune yourself into the change of frequency becoming available. And please do not worry if your rhythm is not quite in the 2021 ‘groove’ as yet – in fact it is probably key to acknowledge the feeling of ‘waiting for the new frequency to unfold’ rather than expecting too much of ourselves.
Full Moon & Imbolc
Thursday January 28th 2021 sees the vibrant full moon in Leo. With the Sun in Aquarius and the Moon in Leo we can expect some creative noise. Better to use the energy abounding to spend time pondering your own inner language. Listen to your own frequency and make the decision to be creative – designing and drawing. Crystallization of insights gathered over the Winter season!
The chart for the moment of Full Moon (January 28 2021 at 19:16 GMT London) has a couple of very interesting aspects. Firstly that Mercury, in Aquarius, is about to station before changing frequency and going retrograde on the 30th. And the Moon, Leo, reflecting on Saturn, Sun & Jupiter in Aquarius.
An opportunity, and great potential, for finding that balance of the inner and outer worlds. For the crystallization of dreams.
Imbolc, one of the eight turning wheel of the year festivals, is celebrated on the 1st February and resonates deeply with our ancestral memories of welcoming the first stirrings of green growth. Alternative names for Imbolc are ‘Little Spring’ or ‘Snowdrop Festival’.
What seeds would you like to see grow into a strong plant this year?
Q. How do I use all this information?
A. Go safely and warmly outside and stand under the moon. Be open to the amazing sense of infinity, potentials and possibilities!
Start your week with a cosmic edge every Monday!
I regularly post options for using the planetary energy on LinkedIn and also (drum roll please) have a ‘Monday Stars’ weekly room in the latest hot app for iPhone users only called Clubhouse. If you’d like to explore how to give yourself a cosmic edge every week do join the Clubhouse room on a Monday at Noon (GMT)! I occasionally have invitations to join Clubhouse if you’re not already there, so drop me a note if you would like one.
Astrology consultations
I have Virtual Coffee chats available now if you’d like to see just how an astrology consultation, based on the moment of your arrival here on planet earth, can unlock secrets for your path forwards.
<<Book here>>
Thank you!
A big thank you for reading and for being here alongside me on our journey together. I would love to hear from you – keep well, safe, warm, and be gentle with yourself.
As always, with love from Alison x
Click here for my website.
<<Linked In connection here>>
by Alison | Jan 21, 2021 | Blog
Have you noticed a change in the way you are waking and sleeping recently?
Why, maybe you are wondering, is Alison asking me about this … how does it fit in with astrology … ???
Two of the most popular questions I am noticing are:
1) “I’m dreaming a lot right now – is there a reason for that?” &
2) “Is it normal to be sleeping later and later?”
Maybe this is why…
Whilst the cycles of the Moon nearly always have an impact on our dreaming patterns it is fair to say that these are very unusual planetary times and so I looked deeper into the ‘why’s’.
And I noticed how our daily patterns have shifted and changed with restrictions being introduced, then lifted, then reintroduced and offices, shops and buildings closed.
As human beings, we are so very 
adaptable and stoic in the face of what we need to do to survive. To survive is the purpose of our ego and we will go to extraordinary lengths to ensure continued existence!
We are amazing humans and history constantly shows us just how much we not only choose to live but we strive to evolve and grow as well.
And so a situation calls for us to alter our standard patterns of waking and sleeping behaviour and we absolutely step up to the mark and try to do our best …
We have had generations, and years, of society calling us up to a clock based waking, and working, day.
Suddenly the six o’clock train to catch a tube to walk to an office for an eight o’clock meeting has disappeared. And that 8am meeting is suddenly an 8pm online conference call. A hurried sandwich lunch at a desk becomes preparing lunch for family. Our complete structure of a ‘day in the life of …’ has changed!
The Sleep/Wake Rhythm
Your sleep/awake schedule may well have shifted and altered beyond all recognition! 
“It feels so normal to start work in the afternoon”
“I can’t switch off at night now as I have meetings in the evening.”
“I’m getting up later in the morning … am I lazy?”
These are all comments seen over the last few weeks from various platforms and, I’m sure, you have your own to add.
We all have our own ‘sleep/awake’ clocks that usually need no thought given. An alarm clock will make sure that we get up in time for the bus or train. And then our day is pretty regulated for lunch time and evening meal. Waking and sleeping to suit our day.
But things are different now. With more and more of us working from home, together with partners, we may be sharing coffee tables for lap tops and kitchen plug sockets for chargers. And then there is also, of course, home schooling, or the ‘noise’ of others in the household.
Deep Remembering
There is a saying that will resonate with our ancestral memories which may well be of help here!
“Up with the lark”
Or “wake at dawn and bed at dusk”.
It is only a few years ago (relatively speaking!) that we would have been, quite naturally, waking as the sun rose and making sure that our tasks were completed in daylight. And then evenings, that time as the sun went down, for the more indoors tasks or story telling. Our bodies, and minds, really do remember a time when our cycles and rhythms were much more in tune with those of our planet earth and the Universe.
It is at the deep of Winter that we yearn for the sun and for light (and warmth!) to return. 
Read more <<here>> about why it resonates for us all to light up our homes at that time of the year!
Rhythms and cycles. Our own body clocks.
Sleeping and dreaming. Doing and being.
Listening to our inner self becomes even more crucial as we move into these new planetary energies. We are being given an opportunity to ground ourselves with the earth. To learn a new way of being in tune with our bodies, our families, our neighbours and find those different (may I offer the word ‘better’ here?) ways of working.
Top Tip!
Choose!
By understanding ourselves (and knowing your birth chart is one way of delving into the magical being that is you!) we can choose how we structure our day.
Choose what filters to apply to media and listen to what your body says. Switch to a cycle and rhythm that suits you and your family. And if you find negotiations are needed know that you are giving yourself choices.
Choice is powerful. Listening to our own cycles and rhythms is a very powerful and liberating way of being.
And make time for you!
As always, with love from Alison x
Here’s a link to my website! Click here www.alisontheastrologer.com
by Alison | Dec 14, 2020 | Blog, News
Shadows and Light
In this time of shadows and light – remember to listen to your inner self … and allow the Universe to whisper to you …
You are unique … With your own story to tell … A Pathway to walk in many dimensions … Choices arranged, with love, by the Universe and to unfold gradually in cosmic flow from the moment of your birth …
There are 3 turning wheel of the year dates to be aware of this month. 
New Moon in Sagittarius December 14th at 16:16 London time
Winter Solstice / Yule when the Sun moves into Capricorn – December 21st at 12:00 London time
Full Moon is in Cancer (December 30th at 03:28 London time)
Insights
The New Moon chart carries a strong fire emphasis to properly set the scene for an epic planetary change as we go through the Winter Solstice gateway and on towards the Full Moon … welcoming in the shadows and light!
We will concentrate on the New Moon and Yule for this post though. There are opportunities for a truly new vision to emerge for each of us and especially if your birth chart has a strong Fire / mutable element to it or planets at 25º-27º or 0º of a sign. Shadows and light ready for understanding, transformation and showing us the way forward. 
At the moment of the New moon Jupiter and Saturn are in the closing degrees of Capricorn and Sun / Moon / Mercury in Sagittarius … and then …
Winter solstice moves the sun into Capricorn together with Mercury. Jupiter & Saturn move into Aquarius. Sun, Mercury, Jupiter & Saturn are all at 0º of their new signs at the same time. Quite a planetary blast of energy and a welcome change for us all.
My advice?
Use the next few weeks to really begin a personal new vision. Over the past months we have been witnessing, and experiencing, a planetary reset which does carry with it both a responsibility and also an alchemical opportunity for major transformation. This continues into next year however one step at a time (!) and here we have one big step towards our alignment and balance.
If you have been around me for a while you will know how much I appreciate the energy of Chiron and which is now at 4º of Aries having completed around 2 years of his 8ish year transit through that sign. Chiron brings the light to those areas needing attention – he is known as the ‘wounded healer’ and the energy really is in alignment with how we can best move forwards if we are working with the ‘shadows and light’ all around us. The mythology around which much of our understanding of how the planets lend us their potentials is based is fascinating. And the story of Chiron is well worth researching if you feel drawn to do so!
Here for you …
I love astrology and working with the earth energies. One question I am most often asked is how to learn about ‘it’ all. My answer remains the same. Read, think, experience, observe.
Our planet earth, Gaia, will teach us.
My own astrology has been intense this year. Imagine for a moment having a Saturn return (my natal Saturn is conjunct Jupiter in Capricorn) at a time when the whole planet is experiencing the most powerful Saturn/Pluto/Jupiter energy in decades. And I feel, observe and learn from myself to understand and (hopefully!) serve even better for you.
I will be adjusting my consultations in line with how ‘what we need to know about the planetary influences during 2021’ is shaping up and also your feedback.
Power time sessions will stay in place during 2021 (loving those wonderful half hour times we get to spend exploring together!).
Astrology consultations
NB – limited appointments at 2020 prices!
The prices below are only available for appointments booked until the end of January 2021.
First astrology consultation
If you have never had your chart drawn up and read by me here is the link and be prepared to begin a journey of uncovering your inner and outer worlds with all of the potentials of the Universe!
£149 and click here for the booking link
Follow-up astrology consultations
£99 and click here for the booking link
Power-time half hour for …
Astro-chat – let’s chat around your chart. Not a consultation but useful if you want to explore one aspect of your chart or of the astrology of now! Or if you would like to see whether a full consultation would be useful … maybe spend a half hour with me learning: how to dowse using a pendulum; developing your intuition; learning a new tarot spread.
£49 and click here for the booking link
Thank you!
I thank you for reading and for being here alongside me on our journey together. I would love to hear from you – keep well, safe, warm, and go gently through this amazing time.
As always, with love from Alison x
Click here for my website.
by Alison | Dec 3, 2020 | Blog
Why put lights on the festive tree?
Or indeed in our gardens, on houses, draped around windows …
Lights appear in many different religious festivals in November, December and January. And it is definitely not a coincidence that those months are, in our Northern hemisphere, the darkest times of our year.
Light symbolises light returning – it is both as simple, and yet as deeply profound, as that!
At Samhain (Halloween) a candle is lit in windows to help travellers find their way to warmth and shelter by going towards family and to rest safely during the winter months. The lit candles also expand our channels of communication with loved ones in Spirit and so we are able to gain insights and messages as well as actual news from those family members travelling to spend the coming months under our roof!
And then, at Winter Solstice, we witness the shortest day of the year … and the longest night. After that time so the Sun begins to climb in the sky and our days lengthen.
Light returns …
Warmth returns …
Green returns …
and hope.
And so the lighting of lights in the darkest of time speaks to the deepest hopes that we all have … that the light will return and we will feel warm and safe again.
When you next light a candle take a moment to feel the connection, and the long history that each and every one of us have through our ancestors, to welcoming in the light.
As always, with love from Alison
PS download my free guide to inspiration by clicking here.
