Updated July 7, 2019 to reflect the upcoming retrograde period.
To the casual follower of astrology, the second most well-known term besides the sun signs themselves is likely to be Mercury Retrograde. Many people familiar with the concept have come to view retrograde planets with a feeling of light dread, given the perception that retrograde planets tend to "screw things up". The truth about retrogrades, however, is far more multifaceted than just a period where things in one's life tend to just arbitrarily go awry.
A planet is said to go retrograde when it appears to be going backwards through the zodiac from the point of view of Earth. Of course, Mercury isn't really switching directions - it's an optical illusion based on our geocentric view of the solar system - but it still bears significance in our daily lives. Thus, consider the retrograde motion as real, regardless of illusion.
When a planet is retrograde, two things happen. One is that the way we look at certain things (specifics depend on the planet in question and what sign & personal house it is in) changes for the time being. The other thing that happens is that the energy of the planet becomes more introspective - meaning that times of retrograde are great for us to look into ourselves and review what is working and what is not working in the parts of our lives touched by the retrograding planet. The more aware the individual is of these energies, the less likely the universe will create some sort of snafu for you to work through.
In other words, while we can't control everything, there are things we can do to turn the negative connotations of the retrograde into something positive - believe it or not! The one thing to remember is that you can't spell "retrograde" without "retro" - so when it comes to reviewing, revising, and reconnecting with past projects and people, retrogrades are the times to do it. So here are some good things to do during a Mercury Retrograde:
Reconnect
Mercury is the planet that rules communications, as well as the way we think. He also rules the people in our everyday lives, such as neighbors and friends (and sometimes siblings). Is there someone in your life you keep meaning to call and catch up with? Perhaps there's someone else with whom you might need to have a 'clear-the-air' conversation that's been put off for a while? Mercury Retrograde is a fine time to do this. Find those from your past who you want to have as a part of your present and future, because this is one of the most favorable times to make that happen.
Review and revise
You may already know that it's best not to initiate any new projects during a Mercury retrograde period, but what many people don't know is that it's a fantastic time to review old projects. Is there a home project that has been put on hold? A book that you put down that you keep meaning to finish? Retrogrades give us a chance to finish what we have started so that we can clear all of the unfinished business from our lives and make ourselves ready to keep building our futures after the retrograde has ended.
Of course, we still have to be mindful of certain things, as retrograde periods serve to temporarily change our perspectives. Our ways of thinking will revert back to what we're used to once Mercury goes direct again (of course, you'll also take with you any lessons learned during this time), so it's advisable to not sign any major contracts unless absolutely necessary. Chances are great that you or the other party will want to revise things down the road. Since Mercury rules communications, and thus things that help us communicate, it is not advisable to buy any major electronics during this time, such as computers, cell phones, televisions, et cetera. Cars also count as major electronics - so don't buy a new car during a retrograde. Instead, make any necessary repairs to your car. You can even choose this time to give your car some maintenance, such as an oil change or a tune-up. This falls under the "review/revise" category.
With that said, we are in Mercury's "shadow period" as of June 20, 2019, meaning that Mercury will eventually retrograde to the point it was at before it began slowing down, which will be 23° Cancer this time around. He's now slowing down and will station retrograde at 4° Leo on July 7 at 7:14 pm (US Eastern Time), and will resume direct motion at 23° Cancer on July 31 at 11:57 pm, crossing over 4° Leo once again on August 15, ending the shadow period. Over the next few weeks, you will start to see more delays, traffic jams, electronic malfunctions, and miscommunications. Your awareness of this will be heightened - as Mercury slows down, his ability to express himself clearly is weakened, resulting in a lot of confusion down here on Earth. Give yourself a little extra time to get anywhere, including and especially if you are going on a long-distance trip. Double check your work, your calendar, and your communications. Start getting into the practice during the shadow period and you stand to reduce your frustrations during the retrograde period. Use the shadow period after the retrograde to put the final touches on your revisions and prepare to initiate new projects, as this is when you will start seeing things run more smoothly.
Retrograde planets are a normal and inevitable part of our lives on Earth. In fact, everything considered a "planet" in astrology, save for the sun and the moon, have regular retrograde periods. Like any planetary transit, this phenomenon is more what we make of it than something that is arbitrarily "good" or "bad" beyond our control. The purpose of the planets in astrology is to show us what is working and not working in our lives - so as long as we learn from the lessons the planets give us, the easier the transits will be - and the more we will grow and evolve from them.
How do you find yourself affected by Mercury Retrograde? Feel free to comment below.
Note: This article was originally posted on my old site, astrotimeastrology.com on October 2, 2013, and has been republished here.
Comments