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The key issue here is one of focus. Mercury's retro phase tends to bring unforeseen changes and blockages, but the aggravation and frustration that many of us experience during these periods is often due to our own inability to roll with the punches. Is this due to our ego-fixation?
Mercury sets out to restructure our thinking processes and for many of us this is painful and frustrating. Unresolved issues from the past tend to push themselves forward. Moreover, these experiences reveal flaws in our internal organisation as well as our external planning, which can make us feel foolish and inadequate. Keep your eyes peeled; Mercury's retro period gives us the chance to find out just what has been missed!
Mercury retrograde, like any cosmic aspect, affects people differently, depending on where it hits their personal charts. Some people actually prosper under a retro Mercury, especially if Mercury is retrograde but otherwise well-aspected in their birth charts. For example, I have heard of some who excel in the way they play roulette under a retrograde Mercury! It is also a time when matters begun under a previous retro period will come to fruition, or completion as the case may be. Firm decisions that have been previously made when Mercury is travelling normally through the zodiac may be implemented or finalised while Mercury is retrograde without too much worry, for experience shows that this can be done without undue problems arising.
| Aries | | Taurus | | Gemini | | Cancer | | Leo | | Virgo | | Libra | | Scorpio | | Sagittarius | | Capricorn | | Aquarius | | Pisces |
When Mercury is retrograde, everyone's thinking is more introspective; we tend to think about issues and concerns that relate to the sign involved. With Mercury retrograde this time in critical, discriminating, intellectual Virgo, people with this sign prominent in their charts will be especially prone to such introspection. Virgo is both the night-sign and the exaltation of Mercury, so Mercury here is especially potent and significant. It is a Mutable Sign, so the other Mutable Signs, Gemini, Sagittarius and Pisces are also likely to experience considerable conflict between heart and head, along with a good dose of typical disruption.
Mercury turns retro at 19°01' Virgo on August 20. This is a day of swirling emotions and clouded perception, fed by impulsive urges. It's dramatic! Passionate Mars and sensual Venus are exactly conjunct in the 14th degree of Libra (relationships; love of beauty and justice), while at the same time activated by a stressful square aspect from the calculating Capricorn Moon. Mars and Venus are the planets that primarily govern passion, action, desire and fertility, and their conjunction is usually a very pleasant experience!
This time, however, sexual connection will have a certain flavour of self-interest and looking out for Number One. Brooding, fantasy-prone Neptune is under severe pressure from both the ego-driven Sun and cold-blooded Moon, so deception and delusion are the order of the day. Chiron, the wounded healer, is also retrograde, receiving a difficult aspect from Mars and Venus. So the hope for sexual healing may not come to fruition, as the world lies under the shadow of the rare and stressful square aspect between stern Saturn, lord of karma, and obstructive Pluto, prince of the underworld, on Aug 21, just as Sun opposes retro Chiron.
Often the connection with the Fixed Stars can throw an interesting slant on any planetary influence, and this one is no exception. While Mercury does not turn in exact conjunction with a major Fixed Star, he does so within orb of Mizar, which is connected with fires of a catastrophic extent and mass calamities; we have had a lot of fiery deaths and catastrophes lately, especially in Russia, as Mercury slowed in this conjunction and will see some more as he passes back and forth across this star over the next few weeks. Mizar sits in conjunction with Mercury's exalted degree (Virgo 15), so it has particular significance in this figure. Luckily it is also associated with artistic expression, so let's hope it's not blocked by the retro motion, or if it is, it recovers when Mercury heads back over this point on Sep. 25. This star is known in India as Vasishta, one of the 7 Rishis (Hindu sages) of the constellation Ursa Major. According to the Rudrayamala, a now-lost though oft-quoted tantric text, Vasishta (Lord Rama's guru!) discovered spiritual liberation through sex and sensual pleasure (symbolically, no doubt). An interesting point of view in light of this coming phase!
It is also interesting that the conjunction of Mars and Venus is right on top of the Behenian Fixed Star Algorab, used for magickal workings and having the delightful reputation for signifying scavenging, destructiveness, repulsiveness, malevolence, fiendishness and lying, suicide, greed, and injuries. Curiously, this is conjunct Elvis Presley's natal Mars. And with Mars and Venus right in there, it does not sound so good for "lurve" (as Elvis might have it). Death by fire, perhaps..?
When we consider the UT chart, the malefic Fixed Star Scheat is rising conjunct Uranus and Jupiter. Scheat is a nasty piece of work, signifying imprisonment, murder, suicide, drowning, and extreme misfortune in general. Of course it has been conjunct Uranus and Jupiter for many weeks now (a lot of people have been drowning, particularly in China and Russia—and now in Pakistan), as it has just moved by precession into the first degree of fiery Aries, but as it is rising, it has a notable effect. On the US chart, Scheat is right on the IC, activated by the transits of Jupiter and Uranus, signifying the need for a completely new beginning and a reconstruction of past errors. It's a turning point for the world and for the USA in particular.
As Merc turns, the Moon is conjunct Vega, an important Fixed Star in the 16th degree of Capricorn (and this is conjunct Elvis's natal Sun!). Vega brings luck in politics, artistic talent, fleeting fame, associated with double dealing, generosity and practicality. It is the alpha star of the constellation Lyra, the Lyre, a musical instrument first invented by Mercury himself! That is hopeful, but only hours earlier, when the square to Mars and Venus was exact, the Moon was in tight conjunction with the very fortunate star Ascella, which brings lasting happiness, valuable gifts and love of women, though sadly when conjunct the Moon (as in this case) it tends to attract burning and poison. Ugh. More burning. Since it's square to Mars, the outlook is less than ideal, Mars ruling fire after all.
Perhaps the grimmest part of this lineup is the fact that the Moon's north node, the Dragon's Head, is closely conjunct the Fixed Star Facies, outdone in evil only by Caput Algol, the Gorgon's Head! Facies, a nebulous cluster in the face of the Archer, is never to be trusted; it is traditionally associated with blindness, violent death, sickness, and accidents; leadership, war, coldness, detachment, perfectionism; earthquakes; pure combative energies; risk-taking, and glamour. At least it seeks fulfilment through charitable works! The Dragon's Head (Rahu, in the Indian terminology) is an unconscious force that amplifies the surrounding energies and will be in the same degree as Facies (the 9th degree of Capricorn) between August 31 and September 15. The conjunction will be exact to the minute on September 7, but since it's a nebula (star cluster) and since the node is a calculated average, we should not not get too uptight about this specific day, as the conjunction lasts for two weeks in the actual degree. According to Robson, the Archer is associated by the Kabalists with the Hebrew letter Vau and the 6th Tarot Trump The Lovers. It shows we must make a choice between two attractions, ideally following the promptings of spirit. Often easier said than done...The Sun enters Virgo on August 23, leading up to the powerful Full Moon in soulful Pisces (conjunct Elvis's natal Moon!). This is a good development, because the early degrees of Virgo are by and large fortunate due to their association with fortunate stars, particularly since this year we have Regulus, said by some to be the most benefic star in the universe, in the first degree of Virgo. Fixed stars do not move across the ecliptic like planets, but they do change their places very slowly in the tropical zodiac due to the phenomenon of precession. This is the movement of the tropical (or moveable) zodiac against the background of the sidereal zodiac (for more about precession, see Stars and Signs).
Mercury is exalted in Virgo, so it usually gives a clear, logical, scientific mental approach, with the ability and eloquence to express ideas fluently—often in a number of languages! The retrograde phase suggests that many of these ideas will need revision and that issues from the past will demand attention, or resolution. Speech and communication during this phase is likely to be unduly analytical and critical, even allowing bad moods and temper to gain the upper hand. Conclusions that are usually practical and to the point are likely to be clouded and disturbed. We will all need to control the tendency to be irritable, critical and selfish, especially the Mutable Signs.
Curiosity can lead us down many paths, mentally as well as physically. Exploring chemistry and diet are favoured, though be sure to maintain accurate and detailed records of anything you discover. It's not a good idea to start something completely new until after this phase is over. Drink adequate amounts of water (6-8 glasses daily) and especially a glass of water when the hunger sensation arises. This can offset those "sugar blues" and ward off excessive eating.
Mercury turns direct at 5° Virgo 26' on September 12th, conjunct the Fixed Star Alula Borealis, the hindmost foot of the Great Bear. According to Ptolemy, Ursa Major is like Mars. It is said to give a quiet, prudent, suspicious, mistrustful, self-controlled, patient nature, but an uneasy spirit and great anger and revengefulness when roused. By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Zain and the 7th Tarot Trump The Chariot. The Chariot carries complex levels of meaning. At its most basic, it implies war, a struggle, and an eventual, hard-won victory; whether over enemies, obstacles, the elements, inner trials or just the ability to get what we want. Our natural urges pull in different directions, but need to draw the Chariot in the direction desired by the driver. It's interesting that The Chariot comes next in the tarot sequence after The Lovers. Let's hope this period awakens the motivation to get the stagnant conditions of the world back into a positive, forward motion.
All areas of communication are affected by this phase, especially in matters connected with science, analysis, the teaching and healing professions, especially those covering the nursing and veterinary fields; fire prevention and other human services, including the military, police and all types of consultants—particularly the communications, routines and organizational issues connected with these. This period brings travel snafus, mail mishaps and missed appointments of all kinds. Documents can go astray. Be sure to carry a diary and refer to it often.
This is the end of the article. Click here to read Mercury Retrograde: Above the Hype and Beyond the Spin.