Okay, the Uranus retrograde SUCKED for me at first, but now...

[BlueIris]

hee. Although I don't appreciate the fact that it's making people in my town drive like we're somewhere in Southern California, (I live in Western OR) I have to like that for the last two days especially--my roommates have actually been in a good mood, I've been somewhat efficient for a change, and I'm totally cool with the weirdness that is having a sudden craving to try bizarre flavor combinations, (coconut ice cream and sea salt/vinegar Kettle Chips) buy paisley underwear (seriously) and possibly get new, enticingly colored bedding (I'm thinking deep mint for the comforter and salmon pink for the sheets...or maybe indigo sheets to go with my white down comforter). Plus, I've been on a huge rare, obscure and marginalized fiction kick lately, and actually had luck locating the little-known gems I want in my relatively small 'burb. I don't know what about this retrograde is agreeing with me, but I hope it keeps up.

[Sanity Claws]

1. LOL

A craving for paisley underwear? Was that a craving to wear them?
I'm confused because it followed your craving for ice cream and chips.

[BlueIris]

2. Yes, it was a craving to buy and wear some paisley underwear.

I don't know where exactly I'm going to find such a thing, but I have this feeling they will be located in the JC Penny downtown.

And don't even get me started on the strangeness that is finding some books at my favorite bookstore's annual "ugly book sale" that were amazingly good, and 80% off their regular retail price. The covers were ugly indeed, (some decent authors got screw-ewed by their publishers there I think) but the books did have good material in them.

Oh, and my book! I have a feeling that I will complete the manuscript during this retro (my original goal was July, but I would be satisfied if I completed the first draft in full by the end of autumn).

[Sanity Claws]

3. What are the usual effects of a Uranus retro?

I understand that Uranus is a planet of surprises and upsets. But what is the expected effect of a Uranus retro? Sorry but I'm one of the novices here and a little knowledge can be dangerous.

As for underwear, I have a friend who counsels people on what color knickers they should wear. You should wear blue for protection. I'm going through a transition, so she counseled me to wear orange. wonder what paisley is helpful for.

In any event, happy paisley underwear hunting.

[BlueIris]

5. Pulled this from the first random astro site my Googling turned up:

"Uranus is quite far from the Sun, and thus it takes a full 84 years for this planet to orbit the star at the solar system's center. A Uranian year is so long that this planet remains in each Sign of the Zodiac for about seven years. The stationary period for Uranus is two weeks, and its retrograde lasts for about five months out of every Earth year.

In general, when Uranus is in retrograde, we should expect the unexpected. Surprises pop out from every corner and this can be either marvelous or startling, depending on the situation. Uranus is the Wild Card of the Planets; it can bring drastic whims and shifts that amaze and bemuse. A Uranus retrograde could bring unexpected effects that could yield the complete opposite or even no change at all. During this time, chaos may be present either externally in the outside world or internally within the individual.

Uranus retrograde may set your wild side free or it could make a notoriously outgoing person uncharacteristically shy. Straight-laced school marms may suddenly be dancing on top of pianos and effervescent party types may suddenly feel more comfortable, calmly relaxing in a hot bath. Explosions in your personality are not uncommon; you may behave differently than other people perceive you."

Blue for protection, eh? Does your friend have a website?

[Sanity Claws]

6. Thanks.

So five months out of every 12 it is in retro. That's almost half the time. Hmmm.
My friend does not have a website but if you have a particular question you want me to ask, I'll send it on to her. I find it so funny when she starts talking about what color knickers to wear.

[BlueIris]

7. More stuff on this Uranus retro:

"On the 19th, Uranus moves retrograde, a direction it will maintain until November 20. Uranus represents, among other things, the eccentric, yet brilliant. And in Pisces it highlights those who may be extremists in their own religious or spiritual fervor. A retrograde motion suggests pulling energies inward. If there is a silencing, it is temporary, as Uranus loves to change tactics, utilizing the strategy of the unexpected. On the 21st we celebrate the Summer Solstice as the sun enters Cancer. The crab enjoys cocooning within safe shelter."

Since you're taking requests, if you get the time someday, do you think you could ask your friend if it means anything that I suddenly have the urge to wear black, green and yellow underwear?

[BlueIris]

4. Oh, and I forgot: I have remembered how to color coordinate.

That's rare for me. Like a lot of Taureans, I have a really difficult time assembling a decent outfit and my Achilles' heel is color coordination. I can usually color coordinate everything else in my life, (I'm a good interior decorator, I swear) but when it comes to clothing I am hit or miss at best. Which bites whenever I have family things to do because my Capricorn sister and Cancer mother are never dressed in anything other than perfectly arranged outfits. It's my Pisces father and I who cannot dress to save our lives. Which is my opinion on the "theme" of this Uranus retrograde--the uber-competent are suddenly off their collective game, and those of us who are or are perceived to be ineffectual are now pulling it together.