Mercury Retrograde: Astrology on the Web

Mercury Retrograde 2010
Shadow	Retro Station	Direct Station	Release
5 Capricorn 35 Wed, Dec 9, 09	21 Capricorn 46 Sat, Dec 26, 09	5 Capricorn 35 Fri, Jan 15, 10	21 Capricorn 46 Thu, Feb 4, 10
2 Taurus 41 Sun, Apr 4	12 Taurus 37 Sun, Apr 18	2 Taurus 41 Tue, May 11	12 Taurus 37 Fri, May 28
5 Virgo 26 Sun, Aug 1	19 Virgo 01 Fri, Aug 20	5 Virgo 26 Sun, Sep 12	19 Virgo 01 Mon, Sep 27
19 Sagittarius 37 Mon, Nov 22	5 Capricorn 54 Fri, Dec 10	19 Sagittarius 37 Thu, Dec 30	5 Capricorn 54 Tue, Jan 18, 11
Mercury
Rules: Gemini & Virgo Exalted: Virgo Detriment: Sagittarius & Pisces Fall: Pisces Exalted Degree: 15 Virgo

Mercury Retrograde

At 20:00 UT (Universal Time) Friday, August 20th, 2010, Mercury the wise communicator—and universal trickster—turns retrograde at 19°01' Virgo, in the sign of the Virgin, sending communications, travel, appointments, mail and the www into a general snarlup! The retro period begins some days before the actual turning point (as Mercury slows) and lasts for three weeks or so, until September 12, 2010, when the Winged Messenger reaches his direct station. At this time he halts and begins his return to direct motion through the zodiac.

Everything finally straightens out on September 27, as he passes the point where he first turned retrograde. Mercury normally turns retrograde three times a year, but this year he turns tail four times, which is unusual. The effects of each period differ, according to the sign in which it happens (see box for Retrograde Periods in 2010).

A planet is described as retrograde when it appears to be moving backwards through the zodiac. According to modern science, this traditional concept arises in the illusory planetary motion created by the orbital rotation of the earth with relation to other planets in our solar system. It's a bit like travelling on the road watching another car beside you: when the other car slows down, or you speed up, it looks as though the other car is moving backwards. Planets are never actually retrograde or stationary, they just seem that way due to this cosmic shadow-play. Click here for some neat graphics and more on the science of retrograde planetary motion.

Retrograde periods, although often problematic for us earthlings, are not particularly uncommon. Each planet retrogrades, except the Sun and Moon. Although a powerful astrological influence, Mercury is quite a small planet that travels at a relatively fast speed through the zodiac. Despite being the closest planet in our solar system to the Sun, Mercury is not always in the same sign as the Sun. Mercury turns retrograde this time in Virgo while the Sun is in Leo, but the Sun moves into Virgo on Aug. 23 (with Mercury still in Virgo). Mercury turns direct in Virgo on Sep. 12 with the Sun still in Virgo, but the Sun enters Libra at the equinox on Sep. 23, while Mercury remains in Virgo till Oct. 3.

Fated Events

As a rule, retrograde planets mark a period of seemingly inevitable or fated events that relate to their sphere of influence. By fated events I mean those that circumstances thrust upon us, rather than matters we have consciously decided to implement or resolve. In particular, unresolved issues from the past tend to rear their heads and demand to be dealt with. Retro phases present us with a series of events over which we seem to have little or no conscious control, relating especially to the sign in which the retrogradation occurs. For example, Mercury retrograde in Libra (relationships; tastes; harmony) awakened quite different sets of circumstances from those generated when he retrograded into Virgo (analysis; critical ability).

A retrograde period is best seen as a cycle, beginning when a planet begins to slow to a halt before travelling backwards through the zodiac, and ending when it returns to the point where it first paused. However, during the cycle, a planet's energy is most powerful (and more likely to generate critical events of universal importance) when the planet makes a station: appearing motionless in the sky.

These stationary periods occur near the beginning of the cycle (when the planet first halts as it prepares to move backwards) and midway through the cycle when the retrograde planet slows to a stop before moving forward again. The direct station (when the planet halts before moving forward again) is the most powerful and can be used for maximum benefit.

Mercury Shadow Phases

Many astrologers consider that the "Mercury Shadow" begins between two and three weeks before the actual retro station; so the "shadow phase" begins this time on August 1, when Mercury passes the point of direct station for the first time in this cycle (see the date for the beginning of each Shadow period in the table). Weird things often start to happen then, but the really noticeable peculiarities begin when Mercury slows significantly, a few days before the retro station. As it happens, in 2010, the beginning of the August shadow phase coincides with the ancient First Fruits Festival of Lammas, or Lughnassadh, so share a freshly baked loaf and enjoy the taste of community spirit!

The period of "Mercury Shadow" extends to the Return date, something under three weeks after the direct station. Bear this in mind, because experience shows that the effects of the retro period are still marked during the shadow phase. Some of the most characteristic annoyances often occur just after Mercury makes the direct station, while he is crawling forward before picking up speed.

What does Mercury affect?

In general, Mercury rules thinking and perception, processing and disseminating information and all means of communication, commerce, education and transportation. By extension, Mercury rules people who work in these areas, especially those who work with their minds or their wits: writers and orators, consultants, commentators and critics, gossips and spin doctors, salespeople, teachers, travellers, tricksters and thieves.

Mercury retrograde gives rise to personal misunderstandings; flawed, disrupted, or delayed communications, negotiations and trade; glitches and breakdowns with phones, computers, cars, buses, and trains. And all of these problems usually arise because some crucial piece of information, or component, has gone astray or awry.

It is not exactly wise to make important decisions while Mercury is retrograde, since it is likely that such decisions will be clouded by misinformation, poor communication and careless thinking. Mercury is all about mental clarity and the power of the mind, so when Mercury is retrograde these intellectual characteristics tend to be less acute than usual, as the critical faculties are dimmed. Make sure you pay attention to the small print!

The Key Issue

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 |

Click your sign to see how Mercury Retrograde affects you!

Mercury Retrograde in Virgo

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.

Fixed Stars

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.

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.