Mercury Retrograde Of Summer 2017: Recalibrating For New Beginnings
Mercury has just begun its latest edition of its retrograde process.It started on August 12th and will last until September 5th.
. In the weeks and especially days leading up to it, we start to notice its effects as Mercury slows down and comes to a stop before moving the other way. Mercury retrograde is famous for the disruptive, delaying, and problematic effects it often has on communication technology, transactions, motor vehicles, anything with moving parts, and commuting in general. We could experience some challenges, misunderstandings, and errors around our communications, numbers/details, and more changes and cancellations in our schedules. We may also feel more challenged when we are doing analytical work without using our internal guidance. Although there is a higher probability of experiencing more of these problems during this time, they won’t necessarily apply to every situation. Some people may not notice these energies as much, depending on what types of things they are doing and how they are interacting with their personal astrological blueprint. Mercury Retrograde can also be a good time to revisit or redo tasks, projects, ideas, or anything else that was initiated in the past. You may also reconnect with old friends or family, or others you haven’t seen in a while. Ultimately, Mercury Retrograde is a time for us to recalibrate our minds and certain areas of our lives. It is a period in which we may receive important insights and see things in a new light. During and following the retrograde, certain areas of our lives can go through changes or shifts, or we can experience a reorientation of some sort. In the post-retrograde period, we move forward with some sort of new awareness and adjustment. Some people can even experience more significant transformations, depending on their natal astrology chart based on their exact birth time.
The things that you have been doing or putting into place in the two to three weeks leading up to this period could determine how and where this energy plays out. It is also possible that there could have been changes put in place then which may go through a sorting out process during this time. Perhaps in that period there could have been unknown variables, both positive and negative, that were either unseen or hadn’t been conceived yet, which may become apparent over the coming weeks.
The sign(s) and element(s) in which Mercury retrograde travels shows the energy in which we are reorienting ourselves with. However, how it is interacting with your natal astrology chart is also a factor, like everything else with astrology. Usually it occurs in one sign/element, but in the case of this and the previous one in April, it is travelling in two signs/elements, Earth (Virgo) and Fire (Leo). Mercury retrogrades occur in the same element for roughly 1.5-2 years, as they occur every three to four months in different signs of that element. In this edition, we are finishing the Earth series (with Virgo), which started in January 2016, and transitioning into a Fire series, lasting until November 2019. Throughout much of this Earth series last year, we also had Jupiter, the North Node, and a Solar Eclipse all in Virgo, as well as last summer’s Mercury retrograde also in that sign. All of this really emphasized the Virgoan focus then, and on a smaller scale throughout this year as the North Node travelled there until May. Now it is coming up again with this Mercury Retrograde helping us to reorientate (or newly integrate) Virgo qualities.
The Earth element is about practicality, being grounded, and keeping it real. It is structural, foundational, dependable, physical, resourceful, and productive. As a ‘mutable’ Earth sign ruled by Mercury, Virgo is about versatility and adaptability. This translates into being able to tackle life’s challenges and running your day-to-day life more efficiently. In this regard, Virgo can represent skills and tools, as well as health, fitness, nutrition, cleanliness, purity, and organization. Virgo energy can also be overly critical and meticulous.
The Fire element is about inspiration, passion, and spontaneity. It is intuitive, instinctive, and energetic. As a ‘fixed’ fire sign ruled by the Sun, Leo is about radiating love, creativity, heart centered self-expression, and influence. It is the performer, the leader, and the creator, and seeks to find joy in expressing itself in those ways. It is about vitality and also rules children, fun, and romance. It can be courageous and generous. Expressed negatively, Leo energy can also be egotistical, dramatic, and demanding of attention or respect. This sign at its highest expression is about shining in our own authentic way and inspiring others. Five days prior to Mercury going retrograde, we had a Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius with a Solar Eclipse occurring in Leo during the retrograde on August 21st. Eclipse periods are a time of changes, like Mercury retrograde; however, they can mark more significant endings and beginnings, while Mercury retrograde is usually is about adjustments and revisitation.
The upcoming Solar Eclipse in Leo is directly connected to this Mercury retrograde, not only because it will be happening at the same time and in the same sign, but also because it will be at the same point in the zodiac as Mercury will be when it ends its retrograde. This demonstrates a strong push toward how we integrate the Leo energy within us and marks new beginnings in that way as well. This Eclipse is in a trine with Uranus, just as Mercury will be in early September. Uranus assists the Leo energies with excitement, freedom, and unique and innovative ways of self expression. It helps us to really step into our authentic selves. Uranus also rules technology, science, astrology, metaphysics, and anything unconventional or forward thinking. Mars in Virgo is also loosely involved with this aspect, which helps us get things done post-retrograde. If you wish to ensure that you receive my upcoming Solar Eclipse article and others, you can do so by joining my mailing list here. Aug 21st/22nd – Total Solar Eclipse in Leo. Changes that can lead to new beginnings in how we express ourselves can happen during this time; however, it is possible that you may notice these energies exactly on this day. This is something that could have started to play out already and/or will play out in the immediate future and in the coming months. Aug 25th/26th – Saturn goes stationary direct. Saturn has been retrograde since early April and is concluding now during this powerful time of changes and adjustments. This could be a time in which we may begin to develop a better understanding of how to proceed forward in our responsibilities and commitments, perhaps in relation to career, education, or broadening our horizons in some way. This energy will continue to unfold over the coming weeks following this date, as Saturn picks up speed and Mercury ends its retrograde. Aug 26th/27th – Mercury conjunct Sun. This marks the halfway point of Mercury retrograde and can be one of the most insightful periods and a powerful time of realizations. It is possible that you may experience something reflective of the potential new beginnings signified by the Solar Eclipse. Some people will experience more Mercury retrograde complications during this time. Sept 1st-3rd – Mercury conjunct Mars trine Uranus. We may take action or consider doing something original or that brings us a feeling of excitement or freedom. We may feel a boost of inspiration or creativity, and be bold and courageous in our actions. Our minds and communications can be very active at this time.
There may be positive surprises as well.
The themes of this previous Solar Eclipse (influencing the next six months) may also be strong at this time, as Mercury and Mars are joining at the same spot. Sept 5th/6th – Mercury goes stationary direct, Full Moon in Pisces. Mercury finishes its retrograde at this time while locked in a trine with Uranus over the following two to three days and still close to Mars. Everything mentioned above (Sept 1st-3rd) still applies during this time, except now there may be more clarity. Things will start to move forward and fall into place, as we can proceed with more clarity now and in the coming weeks.
There will also be a Full Moon happening at this time as well, which could reflect as making further changes, or perhaps releasing something, as a result of new developments and awareness. It can also help to facilitate more realizations and stimulate the already existing creative energy of this period. Although this is a time of moving forward with greater clarity (as mentioned above), this Full Moon is aligned with Neptune in Pisces, which for some people could also add some confusion around a different issue that comes up during this period. If so, it likely will only last around the period of the Full Moon and help you in this forward moving time. — Looking for more insight and a better understanding on how this retrograde and eclipse season is affecting you? Get a personalized astrology reading with Carmen (author of this article) specific to you based on your exact birth date, time, and location. Click here for more information or to order. You can also FOLLOW ME on Instagram for more astrology related content. .
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