Posted by René on 16th Oct 2020
"Mercury is in Retrograde”. This is a phrase that I hear more and more often and lots of people put this phase in their calendar expecting things to go wrong during these weeks. When Mercury goes into retrograde motion ☿R, it is a period that needs to be taken seriously. Mark them in your calendar but don’t let any planet determine your movements and live your life as usual. When the planet goes backward, it is not necessarily a bad thing and I am here to explain why.
Let’s pretend that we are standing on the Sun for a moment and let’s have a look at the planets from there. We would notice that “all” the outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) would form uniform circular motions around us. Even the Earth. However, since the source of observation is the Earth, the movement of the Earth introduces a bias and the outer planets sometimes seem to go backwards in their movement. This is called the retrograde movement.
The clip on the left shows a schematic animation of Mars Retrograde. As Earth (E) passes a superior planet such as Mars (M), the superior planet (M') will temporarily appear to reverse its motion across the sky. Source from Wikipedia.
Mercury goes into retrograde motion in average 3 times per annum for a period of 3 weeks. These periods impact everybody and show how planets do have an influence on individuals because there are many errors in communication, contretemps happening and technology clashes. These periods are often creating confusion, delays and frustrations. The best way to deal with these situations is simply to laugh!
But why ☿R would play on the means of communication, contracts, transports and technology?
In Roman mythology, Mercury or Hermes for the Greek was the messenger of the Gods of Olympus. He was lively, quick, cunning and a great speaker. Mercury ruled all type of communication (listening, speaking, reading including divination). He was the God of financial gain, negotiation, commerce and travel and he was associated to luck and trickery. In astrology Mercury shows what the individual captures first. This planet tells us how we process information. It is the representation of our intelligence, our ability to communicate and to understand.
When ☿R moves through the zodiac, the planet seems to travel backward as seen on the clip above and then appears to stop for a period of time until it goes direct again. During this stop period or stationary period, Mercury is resting.
When ☿R, the planet is resting. The recommendation is to "slow down..." This is the period when people need more time to process information and as a result if you are trying to send information to people, you will have difficulties to capture their full attention. Therefore, during a ☿R, it is not the best time to make an announcement such as launching a marketing campaign, publishing a book, making special offer on your website, or learning new things… It is better to do it when Mercury is direct.
When ☿R, it is recommended to be more mindful, for example if you need to sign a contract pay attention as there could be information you don’t record, or you might not get what you thought you were getting. If you are starting a new job, signing a contract or going on a trip; pay close attention and read the fine print of your contract. Double-check everything because when Mercury is not in direct motion, it is not stimulating your mind as effectively as it normally would, and it's possible that you may not be responding to the planet's influence.
Same if you have to make a big decision or investment; such as buying a car, a property; pay close attention to the details as there might be hidden problems (remember Mercury is the Lord of trickery) or you might change your mind once the planet goes direct. Similarly, if you need an operation or need to perform a medical test (unless it is an emergency); it is best to avoid this during ☿R period because the diagnostic might be misread, and mistakes are more prone to happen since you are not the one in control. The doctor is also going through a ☿R period.
Similarly, if you need an operation or need to perform a medical test that is not urgent ("Remember, always consult with a medical professional for personalised advice related to healthcare decisions.") It is best to avoid scheduling these procedures during the ☿R period because the diagnostic might be misread, and mistakes are more prone to happen since you are not the one in control. It's worth mentioning that even the doctor might be going through a ☿R period and can be affected by it.
If you need to transfer money or courier important documents, I’d recommend to be extra careful. Call the people at the other end to let them know the document or the money is coming. Check the details multiple times.
If you are working in sales, you may go back to old customers and clients as it will be easier to talk to people you already know rather than cold calling new companies. Back up your computer before ☿R!! Weird computer crash happens during this period. In every company I’ve worked, the IT department often decided to implement the new software or new accounting system during a Mercury retrograde… and of course it was not working…!
When ☿R, communication becomes more difficult and everyone's nerves tend to be on edge, however, don’t assume everything goes wrong during this period.
☿R is good. We all need it. When Mercury goes in retrograde motion is a good time. It allows us to take stock of our life to start again. It’s a time to slow down, listen to our inner voice, and redirect our energies more productively. During this time, we can reflect on the past, reassess, redo and reconsider or finish old projects. Generally speaking, when Mercury retrogrades, it is the perfect time to reorganise your closets, reconnect with family and friends and take this time to work on what you will be launching, revisit your projects, redo your plans, revise your lessons.
☿R are all different. Each time, the planet arises in a new sign of the zodiac, and therefore, in a new element. Fire, Earth, Air or Water. Depending on the sign where Mercury will do the retrogradation will provide an indication of where you mind is and which are your preoccupations.
☿R in the different elements of the Zodiac.
When Mercury goes into retrograde motion in a FIRE sign such as Aries, Leo, or Sagittarius, the energy becomes intense and fiery. It's like having a mind stuck in a pressure cooker, with thoughts boiling and bubbling up, making it difficult to stay calm and focused, craving excitement and passion in their lives. They feel a strong urge to be entrepreneurial, bringing their dreams and ideas to life. The desire to explore talents, be more creative, learn new things, and break away from routine becomes prominent. However, finding an outlet for this energy can be challenging. During a ☿R in a fire sign, it's important for individuals to slow down, reassess their goals, and calm their minds. Engaging in mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, or participating in sports that promote mental calmness can be helpful. Communication becomes challenging during this time, as what people say can easily be misinterpreted, leading to conflicts. It's important to find positive ways to channel this energy and avoid confrontations.
When Mercury enters a state of retrograde in an EARTH sign like Taurus, Virgo, or Capricorn, Imagine the focus shifting to practicality and grounded thinking, like building a solid foundation for thoughts to rest upon, making it easier to navigate and organise ideas. It's a time for a reality check and introspection. People start questioning aspects of their lives such as money, health, future plans, career, reputation, and self-worth. This period offers an excellent opportunity to assess financial plans, evaluate the sustainability of current lifestyles, and contemplate savings for the future. It's also a great time to consider career choices and potentially make adjustments or shifts. Prioritising well-being and letting go of harmful habits becomes crucial during this time. Communication may become more rigid and stubborn due to the practical and straightforward tendencies of Earth signs. Patience and active listening are encouraged to navigate these interactions effectively.
When Mercury goes into retrograde motion in an AIR sign such as Gemini, Libra, or Aquarius, people's thoughts becoming scattered like the wind, with their minds seemingly up in the air. It's like a whirlwind of thoughts and ideas constantly flowing, making it challenging to find stability and concentrate. This phase brings about confusion and a lack of focus. Communication with others becomes unclear, leading to forgetfulness, delays, and a general feeling of things not running smoothly. To stay grounded and clear-headed, practicing mindfulness exercises and engaging in meditation can be beneficial. It's advisable to focus on one task at a time instead of multitasking, as multitasking during this period often leads to more distraction and errors.
During Mercury's retrograde in a WATER sign like Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces. It's as if individuals dive deep into their subconscious, exploring the depths of emotions and intuition. Like being submerged in a pool of thoughts and feelings, where introspection and sensitivity come to the forefront. This phase encourages self-reflection and can be challenging. Sensitivity is heightened, and people become more in tune with their inner voice and emotions.
For some, this is an excellent opportunity to meditate and awaken intuition. Indulging in reflection and daydreaming can be inspiring and calming. However, others may find this period more difficult, with heightened sensitivity and resurfacing emotions.
It's important to acknowledge that not everyone feels comfortable spending time alone or dwelling in a nostalgic state of mind, especially when emotions are already turbulent. Being aware of this transit can help individuals navigate with confidence, knowing it is a necessary path for personal growth.
During this time, prioritising self-care and limiting exposure to emotionally draining people can be beneficial. Activities like meditation, exercise, reading, or spending time in nature can help manage overwhelming emotions. May focusing on self-care and positive energy guide you through this period of self-reflection.
These are the upcoming ☿R periods for the next few years. Please share your experiences and how the energy affected your thoughts and feelings, as well as any decisions you made differently due to being aware of the retrogradation.
2021
30th January – 20th February in Aquarius, an air sign 29th May – 22nd June in Gemini, an air sign 27th September – 18th October in Libra, an air sign
2022
14th January – 3rd February starts in Aquarius, an air sign, and ends in Capricorn, an earth sign
10th May – 3rd June starts in Gemini, an air sign, and ends in Taurus, an earth sign
9th September – 2nd October starts in Libra, an air sign, and ends in Virgo, an earth sign 29th December – 18th January in Capricorn, an earth sign
2023
29th December 2022 – 18th January 2023, goes direct in Capricorn, an earth sign
21st April – 14th May in Taurus, an earth sign
23rd August – 15th September in Virgo, an earth sign
13th December 2023 – 1st January 2024 in Sagittarius, a fire sign
2024
Sees above, January 1st, 2024, goes direct in Sagittarius, a fire sign
1st April – 25th April in Aries, a fire sign
4th August – 28th August starts in Virgo, an earth sign, and ends in Leo, a fire sign
25th November – 15th December in Sagittarius, a fire sign
2025
14th March – 7th April starts in Aries, a fire sign, and ends in Pisces, a water sign
17th July – 11th August in Leo, a fire sign
9th November – 29th November starts in Sagittarius, a fire sign, and ends in Scorpio, a water sign
2026
25th February – 20th March in Pisces, a water sign
29th June – 23rd July in Cancer, a water sign
24th October – 13th November in Scorpio, a water sign
2027
9th February – 3rd March starts in Pisces, a water sign, and ends in Aquarius, an air sign
10th June – 4th July starts in Cancer, a water sign, and ends in Gemini, an air sign
7th October – 28th October starts in Scorpio, a water sign, and ends in Libra, an air sign
2028
24th January – 14th February in Aquarius, an air sign
21st May – 13th June in Gemini, an air sign
19th September – 11th October in Libra, an air sign
2029
7th January – 27th January starts in Aquarius, an air sign, and ends in Capricorn, an earth sign
1st May – 25th May in Taurus, an earth sign
2nd September – 24th September starts in Libra, an air sign, and ends in Virgo, an earth sign 21st December – 10th January 2030 in Capricorn, an earth sign
2030
Sees above, December 21st, 2029 – January 10th, 2030 in Capricorn, an earth sign
12th April – 6th May starts in Taurus, an earth sign, and ends in Aries, a fire sign
15th August – 8th September in Virgo, an earth sign
5th December – 25th December starts in Capricorn, an earth sign, and ends in Sagittarius, a fire sign
Comentarios