Mercury Retrograde - Dancing with Life's Details

"When the creative impulse cannot flourish, when it cannot freely select its methods and objects, when it is deprived of spontaneity, then society severs the root of art."

John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1917 - 1963)

"The great successful people of the world have used their imaginations, they think ahead and create their mental picture, and then go to work materializing that picture in all its details, filling in here, adding a little there, altering this a bit and that bit, but steadily building...." Robert Collier, Self-Help Author (1885-1950)

Mercury AstroActivator© by Kathryn Andren

Greetings from the Rocky Mountains! Kathryn and I are here for a few weeks on a personal Inner and Outer Journey, enjoying the beauty of nature at Rocky Mountain National Park, and a just completed week-long healing retreat called "Ultimatum". 

In the spirit of helping others work with the current dynamic astrological cycles, tonight, we offer an Astrology Presentation in Fort Collins titled "What in the World Is Going On? at 7 pm at the Chiropractic Wellness Center of Lori Krauss, DC. 

This Sunday the 22nd, we offer an afternoon workshop titled "Gateway to the Soul" at the Colorado Health and Wellness Center in Denver. Contact Us for more details and registration.

Today, Mercury Retrograde begins in earnest at 19 degrees Virgo. By Sept 12th, Mercury stations direct at 5 degrees Virgo. Even those not attuned to the nuances of Astrology have probably heard about "Mercury Retrograde". Usually, association with this cycle comes from first-hand communication, transportation or mechanical breakdown experiences. While the vibration of Mercury gets a bum rap, it does put us on notice the ensuing 3 weeks will be an "interesting" time of changing plans and unexpected redirected energy. Mercury moves retrograde 3 or 4 times a year.

Mercury is associated with themes of movement and all types of communication. It moves "retrograde" 3 to 4 times a year. When its apparent motion moves in reverse (retrograde), its energy takes those vibrations and spins them around. The result is a topsy-turvy energy requiring different strategies than our usual "logical" approach to life. Effective alternative strategies include actions born out of spontaneity and synchronicity.  This is an ideal time to make space for serendipitous occurrences to flow in and out of your life.

Here's a classic example of a Mercury Retrograde dynamics: 

This Mercury current cycle is in the Earth and Mutable sign of Virgo. Themes of this sign include attention to details, organization, analytical studies, service to others and self-care, especially in the realm of health and well-being. Each of these areas points to how we relate to our physical world. That Mercury will spin its counter-logic energy in the sign of "details" makes this a rather challenging period for anyone who depends on logic in their day-to-day life.

Whose affected - As we live in a very logically oriented society, this retrograde will be particularly noticeable.  Anyone with significant planetary aspects (Rising Sign, Sun, Moon, Venus, Mars, Jupiter etc.) in the Mutable signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces are impacted by this retrograde. This time will be a potent indicator for bigger changes occurring or set to occur in your life in the realm of how you communicate yourself to others. Also, if you were born while Mercury was retrograde, this cycle is usually a more familiar and easier time for you. One that supports planning, initiatives and creative impulses. 

Here's the astrological timings for this cycle:
July 31 - crosses 5 degrees Virgo initiating the Mercury Retrograde cycle.
Aug 20 - begins to move "retrograde" at 19 degrees Virgo - most intense phase
Sept 12 - begins to move "direct" again at 5 degree Virgo (where it past on July 31) - energy begins to ease up
Sept 27 - crosses 19 degrees Virgo - retrograde cycle complete.

Significant connections with other planetary energies during the most potent time of the retrograde cycle - Aug 20 - Sept 12:  

Aug 25th - Mercury opposes Pisces Moon, shortly after the Full Moon on the 24th. A day of "quiet". Pisces is the flip side of Virgo. Where Virgo puts its focus on details, Pisces flows through the sea of oneness. Virgo is quite analytical; Pisces quite emotional. Make this a day of attuning to how life "feels". Discover where it feels easy or difficult. Focus on the details of what aspects in your life requires change to create more ease and flow.
September 2/3. Sun and Mercury at same 10 & 11 degrees. Sun energy brings light to situations requiring a new way of communicating specific information (Virgo). Meanwhile, on the 3rd, the Moon moves into early degrees Cancer (family/community) adding emotional charge to the on-going Cardinal Climax. This is a potent day for following a ritual (Virgo) honoring your life and the life of others in your family ancestry. Consider creative ways of bringing forward into your life the gifts expressed/created by those before you. 

Note: On Sept 2, Israel and Palestine plan to resume long-stalled peace negotiations in Washington DC, mediated by the United States. Good timing for sorting out the details of what has worked and what no longer works in this contentious area of the world. Yet, any attempt to establish a concrete resolution of existing issues before the retrograde ends on the 12th may prove futile or short-lived.

September 8 - Virgo New Moon - Mercury trines Pluto. As the end of the Mercury retrograde nears, this trine energy available thru the 19th is a potent seeding point for creating and empowering (Pluto) a practical strategy (Capricorn) for what you have learned/discovered during the retrograde period. Get ready to put your plans into action after the 12th.

In general, during the most intense phase (Aug 20 - Sept 12) allow the grace of spontaneity and change to be your guide. As travel is in the realm of movement, unexpected delays may bring unexpected fortune or gifts. Hence, fighting or struggling with a change in plans would not be productive response. Also, avoid fear and hesitation. Move with the energy (good Mercury strategy), much as you would move with the current of a river.

In the realm of mechanical devices, such as computer, car, etc. take the necessary, precautionary steps to ensure machines are operational and maintained. Legally, avoid signing contracts  or agreements, or purchasing expensive equipment, or buying a house. If any of the above is unavoidable, make sure the details are clearly spelled out to avoid misunderstanding or contractual problems.

For the Virgo and Sagittarius types, the next Mercury Retrograde occurs December 10th in the signs of Capricorn and Sagittarius. This one will be a doozy!


Aloha from Colorado
Starman, Joseph Mina
August 20th, 2010
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Gemini Awakening
"Celebrating 10 years together in healing service"