The Invitation to Slow Down

In life there are many invitations to slow down.

This is also true within astrology. This article seeks to share those invitations… it’s up to you whether or not you want to take them.

Slowing Down

When I think of slowing down, I think of the old fable about the Tortoise and the Hare. You know the one—where the slow and steady tortoise wins the race simply because he keeps moving forward and doesn’t get distracted?

In my family (and likely others), we call those distraction moments “squirrel.” It’s that moment you get pulled away—and sometimes, you need something (or someone) to bring you back on track.

My husband is that someone for me, sometimes. I’ve been known on more than one occasion to hear a phrase or key word, go off on a tangent, and then Rich will ask, “Where did that come from?” It becomes my “job” to follow the breadcrumbs back to the key word or phrase that started it all. When I can trace it back, it feels like catching inspiration—rather than chasing a squirrel.

So what does that have to do with astrology and the art of slowing down? Am I having one of those “squirrel” moments?

Trust me… I’m not.

The Invitation

This invitation I speak of can come in many forms in life. I’ve seen it show up as vacations, illness, job shifts—to name a few. Some are abrupt. Some arrive slowly and give you time to prepare. Some are easy to spot, and others don’t feel like invitations at all—more like declarations that say, “You need to do this now.”

Many times, the invitation becomes a demand based on urgency and the situation it presents itself in. How it feels, how it’s received, and how it’s processed is always up to the individual. But the invitation itself? It’s always there.

Different types of Invitations

In astrology, we are offered many different invitations to slow down. Here are just a few—and how they might show up.

Void of Course Moon

One of the constants in our lives is the Moon. Luna moves through all twelve signs every month and “talks” with every planet more than once along the way.

Have you ever gone to a conference or convention that lasts two or three days, and by day two-and-a-half you’re done? Like, peopled-out and ready to rest?

Yeah, me too.

The same is true with the Moon.

To give you a practical example: the first time I went to a Tupperware Jubilee (a high-energy, three-day convention full of celebration and connection), I had a blast—until the morning of the last day. I thought we were done after lunch and some regional recognition. But when I learned we had to go back to the main room for closing ceremony, I almost cried. I was spent. I had no more energy to give.

Since that year, I’ve learned to give myself breaks, how to release energy that isn’t mine, and how to conserve what I do have.

The Moon works the same way. Before Luna shifts from one sign to another, there is a period of time when she is not “talking” to anyone. When astrologers say the Moon is Void of Course, they mean it isn’t making any more major aspects(square, opposition, conjunction, sextile, or trine) to other planets before it changes signs.

(Quick 🐿️ Side Note – What do those terms mean?)

• Square – A 90° angle that often brings frustration or a need to focus. Happens between signs of the same Mode (Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable). Example: the Quarter Moons.

• Opposition – A 180° angle. A tug-of-war asking for balance or “meeting in the middle.” Example: Full Moons.

• Conjunction – When two planets are at the same degree. I often call this “holding hands.” A start or beginning of a cycle. Example: New Moons.

• Sextile – A 60° angle with an easy flow of energy, especially between complementary elements (Earth & Water, Fire & Air). A quiet gift—you could miss it if not paying attention.

• Trine – A 120° angle, also easy flow, but between signs of the same element (Fire, Earth, Air, or Water).

Back to the Void of Course Moon…

That “rest” period before the sign change is the Void of Course. During those times, it’s a great window to rest, reflect, finish up what you’ve already started—basically, chill. It’s not advised to start anything brand new during this period because the Moon isn’t supported by connections to other planets.

Sometimes, this rest lasts only a few hours. In July 2025, we’ll have 16 of these days—over half the month! If I have a lot to get done, I can feel fuzzy-headed on these days. Since I can’t just take 16 days off, I rely on to-do lists to stay focused.

That rest? It’s needed. Why? So your emotional base—the Moon—can be ready for what’s next.

Mercury Retrograde (and friends)

Let’s be honest—this applies to any personal planet that retrogrades: Mercury, Venus, or Mars. I focus on these because they move the fastest, and we tend to feel them more.

During retrogrades, the invitation is to go within—to process from the inside out, rather than the outside in.

For example:

• Mercury rules communication and thought. The invitation? Listen more. Process before acting.

• Venus invites a review of finances, relationships, or values.

• Mars brings up your drive, joy, passions, and determination.

It’s not always easy to revisit your thoughts, budget, or relationships. But it’s necessary. Without these invitations, would we ever slow down to look?

If you were born with one of these planets in retrograde, you might be naturally reflective. In my own client work and chart study, I’ve noticed that when a planet retrograde in the birth chart is also retrograde in the sky, those individuals sometimes feel like they can move forward more easily—because it’s a familiar energy.

Is that true all the time? No. At least not for me.

I was born with Mercury retrograde. Usually, when Mercury is retrograde, I think more clearly and act more decisively. But this year, Mercury is my Time Lord—and things have felt different. I accepted the invitation to work with him differently, and in doing so, I’ve moved forward in new ways.

You, dear reader, receive similar invitations too.

Want help working with them? I’ve shared more in my article: Let’s Talk Retrogrades: What They Are and How to Flow With Them along with a free, downloadable 3-Step Retrograde Activation Mini Workbook. Feel free to return to it anytime.

Eclipses

The Sun and Moon are the only two planets that never retrograde. But four times a year, they bring us eclipses—two solar, two lunar.

• Lunar eclipses occur at the Full Moon when the Earth is between the Sun and Moon.

• Solar eclipses occur at the New Moon when the Moon moves between Earth and Sun.

In our charts, we track eclipse energy through the North and South Nodes.

• North Node = your soul’s growth and potential

• South Node = your comfort zone or past life patterns

If you’re curious about your North Node, I highly recommend Astrology for the Soul by Jan Spiller. Look up your Node by sign and house. (For example, my North Node is in Scorpio in the 7th house—so I’d read the chapters on Scorpio and Libra.)

The Nodes shift signs every 18 months or so. You can also reflect on where they are currently!

During eclipses, the invitation is to let them wash over you. Let the energy do what it needs to do. Eclipses are change agents—big, chaotic energy. Trying to control that? Not advised.

In my New Moon Circles, I always remind participants: don’t actively manifest or release during an eclipse. Be an observer. Just like during retrogrades.

Clients have shared that eclipses bring sudden shifts—things that needed to leave, leave. Sometimes easily, sometimes not. But they do. That’s the invitation: Can you let go to allow the next thing to arrive?

Will You Accept the Invitation?

here are so many ways we’re invited to slow down and look again.

The question is—will you?

Sometimes it’s a conscious choice. Other times, the body decides—like when you get sick.

The invitation is always there. Becoming aware of it? That’s the key.

Right now, we’re being invited to slow down in our thoughts and communication, flavored by Leo, during this Mercury Retrograde in Leo Season.Leo themes include creativity, pride, leadership, children, and joy.

Mercury is retracing the same sky path Mars did during his last retrograde. Will similar themes arise?

That’s for you to notice.

Will you slow down… and accept the invitation?

With love and stardust,

Sarah