Mercury Retrograde - Survive and Thrive
We are currently in the shadow period of the next Mercury Retrograde which will start on the 5th of August and last until the 28th of August. This Mercury Retrograde will start in Virgo and continue in Leo from the 15th. This week's blog looks at the energy of the Mercury Retrograde, what to watch out for and how to find out how it will directly affect you.
Let’s start by looking at the planet Mercury in astrology. This is the planet of communication. This isn’t just how you talk, it’s also how you listen, how you read and write, and how you learn. Mercury also governs travel and commerce and is the trickster planet. As the quickest moving and the closest planet, Mercury goes retrograde 3 to 4 times a year.
When a planet goes retrograde it appears to move backwards through the sky. Of course, this isn’t the case, none of the planets change direction. But from our perspective on Earth at different points in the year, different planets appear to move backwards.
Mercury retrograde is the most strongly interpreted astrological movement, and Mercury is often blamed for everything that goes wrong during the three weeks it is retrograde. The thing is, if you are the sort of person who regularly loses their keys, sends emails without attachments or has issues with technology, that isn’t Mercury, that’s just who you are.
When any planet goes retrograde, it is a chance for us to look back over things. The themes associated with that planet slow down and we can investigate them deeper. So with Mercury, we are looking at communication, travel, technology and trade.
How do we not only survive but thrive during Mercury Retrograde? First, don’t assume that everything is going to go wrong. If you expect problems, then you will get problems. Be aware that old, unresolved issues may come to the surface. This is your chance to finally resolve them!! Because Mercury rules communication, watch out for misunderstandings with other people. Don’t assume they know what you are talking about, or that they are deliberately trying to pick a fight with you.
I would advise against starting anything new during the retrograde period, but it is a great time for finishing projects, working on anything previously started or researching new ideas.
Remember that Mercury Retrograde is a second chance at something. We have been here before and now we get to try again. Personally, I passed my driving test during a Mercury Retrograde. It was my third attempt and the only time I survived for longer than 5 minutes in the car with the examiner!!
Just like the moon is flavoured by the zodiac sign it passes through, so is Mercury. This gives us a different theme and area of our life to work on during the retrograde period.
This Mercury Retrograde will start in Virgo and then move into Leo. To understand the energy and how to work with it, we first look at the element, then the sign, and then the house. In astrology, the planet tells us what, the sign tells us how, and the house tells us where.
As an Earth element, Mercury Retrograde in Virgo is going to feel more “down and to earth” and serious. It will be a great time to get outside and look at your impact on the environment. It will also be a good time to take a more practical approach in life, to get organised, look after your health and pay attention to deadlines.
Virgo has themes around health, diligence and organisation. If you or a loved one have any health concerns then now is the time to research any treatments, maybe even consider some natural ones. Can you come up with a realistic plan to end any unhealthy habits you have? Something you can stick to and build on later?
This will be a great time for doing research, redoing anything that isn’t quite right and for getting yourself organised. Clear away clutter, file important documents and tweak any areas of your day-to-day life that need improvement.
Double-check everything, get rid of clutter, look at your diet and check on your health.
As a Fire element, when Mercury moves into Leo on the 15th, the energy will change. Fire signs are all about excitement, creativity and getting things done. But with Mercury Retrograde we want to be asking if this is what we really want, and if maybe it wouldn’t be better to slow down right now. Make creative changes in your life, bring more fun and playfulness into your days and connect with your passions.
Leo has themes around creativity, romance and confidence, making this a good period to go back to any creative projects you may have put down unfinished. During a time when we feel like we have no control over what is going on around us, focusing on your own creativity, and having fun with it, is a great way to spend your time.
This could also be a good time to review your love life. Are you getting enough attention, or giving enough? Are you confident in love? What about other areas of your life? Are you showing off or lacking confidence?
Be generous, be open to new ideas, have more fun and let your creative juices flow.
During Mercury Retrograde in Virgo be mindful of overthinking and missing out because you couldn’t make up your mind. Virgo has perfectionist tendencies, and while you should certainly think things through, don’t let the need for everything to be perfect stop you.
Watch out for challenges at work such as delays, equipment breaking and moody co-workers. Remember to take time to slow down and relax so you don’t make yourself ill. Don’t be so hard on yourself and pick your battles wisely. Is it really worth the effort?
When Mercury moves back into Leo, avoid taking risks. While it might seem like a good idea now, in a few weeks that might not be the case.
Listen to other people’s opinions, not just your own, try not to lose your temper with other people and admit your mistakes. We all make them. Also, be careful with what you say, if you keep saying you can do everything, eventually, you will be asked to prove it.
Mercury Retrograde is a time to review, reflect, research, reconnect and revamp. It’s a time to make changes and to learn from the past.
To find out how Mercury Retrograde will affect you, you can look at your birth chart. Simply find the houses that are ruled by Virgo and Leo, to see what is likely to be going on for you. You might also have planets in your birth chart that Mercury will talk to during the retrograde period.
I hope you have found this week’s blog helpful and have a good idea of what to watch out for during the upcoming Retrograde. If you would like to know what is going on in your birth chart, then you can get a report for just £33 by clicking the button below.
