A little about Mercury:
Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun. It is always at most thirty degrees from the Sun and takes 88 days to complete one orbit. In astrology, Mercury is associated with communication style, perceptions, thoughts, ideas, reasoning, logic, technology (phones, computers, mechanical instruments, and the internet), transportation, travel plans, commerce, and trade. Mercury is exalted in Aquarius, rules in Gemini and Virgo, and faces challenges when placed in Sagittarius and Pisces.
When we see Mercury, it usually moves in the same direction as the Sun. But, when Mercury is closest to the Earth it “appears” to reverse its direction for about three weeks. Mercury goes retrograde three sometimes four times a year.
Pre-Retrograde Shadow: 21 Leo 25’ (July 16 @ 11:50 pm EDT; 8:50 pm PDT)
On July 16th, Mercury will enter the pre-retrograde shadow at 21° Leo 25′. During this time, Mercury is slowing down before going retrograde. We may experience frustrations with communication, travel, and technology during the pre-retrograde stage.
It’s a good idea to use this time to prepare for the upcoming Mercury’s retrograde. We can start taking proactive measures now which can help us mitigate any potential issues that may arise during Mercury’s backward U-Turn dance.
Remember to use the pre-retrograde shadow before Mercury goes into retrograde to prepare. Take preventive measures. For example: – Back up your computer, tablet, and cell phone. – Perform any necessary car maintenance. – If possible, avoid purchasing big-ticket items that cannot be returned. – Avoid making agreements or signing contracts. – Do not start new projects during this time because the Mercury retrograde will come along and screw up your plans. Wait until the retrograde cycle has finished before taking on new projects.
Mercury Retrograde starts at 4’ Virgo 06’ (8/5 @ 12:56 am EDT; 8:56 pm PDT)
On August 5th, Mercury will slow to a halt and officially go “station to retrograde”. During Mercury retrograde, intuition typically works better than logic. It is a time for introspection, re-evaluation, and leaning into heightened creativity and psychic awareness. It is also advised to slow down, take your time, and double-check your work for mistakes while paying attention to details. Mercury retrograde seems to work best when we focus on reorganizing, reviewing, redoing, and finishing projects. Use this time to be patient, reflect, and reassess your plans and strategies.
Mercury retrograde is known for causing issues involving communication, travel, and technology. Often, it means experiencing travel delays, needing to cancel and reschedule appointments or plans, and encountering technology, car, appliance, and engine breakdowns. During Mercury retrograde, we may face difficulties in expressing ourselves clearly or misinterpreting what others are saying to us.
Situations that begin under Mercury Retrograde often reappear or resolve themselves under a future Mercury Retrograde. Trust me on this.
We can harness the power of Mercury Retrograde by using its “backward” motion to our advantage. When Mercury goes retrograde, we can follow sensible guidelines and work consciously with the retrograde energy to avoid unnecessary difficulties.
Remember the Do and Do Not List for managing Mercury Retrograde:
Do’s: – Check and recheck travel plans, schedules, and appointments. – Review, re-do, review, tie up loose ends, and repair. – Fix what was broken during the last retrograde. – Double-check written documents or calculations. Complete unfinished projects.
Don’ts: – Do not sign contracts or buy big-ticket items such as electronics or cars. – Avoid starting new projects, taking new jobs, or doing anything last-minute. – If you must make a purchase, send important packages, or travel, purchase insurance. – Plan and give yourself extra time to arrive at your destination or finish projects. Avoid jumping to conclusions, or acting on unverified information.
Mercury stations Direct at 21 Leo 25’ 5:14 pm EDT; 2:14 pm PDT
After Mercury goes direct, we can start feeling the effects of the retrograde easing up as things begin to move forward. As Mercury picks up speed, issues that arose during the retrograde period begin to resolve.
Mercury leaves the Post-Retrograde zone on September 11, 2024, @ 4’Virgo 06’ 7:49 pm EDT; 4:49 pm PDT
During the post-retrograde phase, which can last from two to three weeks, Mercury gains speed, and situations start to “correct” themselves. It is a time for problem-solving and working on the issues that came up during Mercury retrograde. It’s an opportunity to handle the third pass of Mercury more effectively, as Mercury is now retracing its steps.
Mercury starts in Virgo and backtracks into Leo
To better cope with Mercury retrograde, it’s important to know which sign Mercury will be retracing its steps in. The sign or signs that Mercury transits while retrograde will help you anticipate specific difficulties and challenges you may encounter.
The upcoming summer retrograde will begin in Virgo, a sign that Mercury rules and enjoys transiting through. Mercury in Virgo is practical, analytical, and detail-oriented. However, Mercury in Virgo can also be overly critical and get caught up in minor details. When Mercury transits Virgo, it offers a great opportunity to focus on health and work issues. When retrograde, Mercury in Virgo is an excellent time to review and make improvements related to our diet and health, as well as to re-organize and streamline our daily schedules and work processes.
The planet Mercury will retrograde back into the sign of Leo on August 15th. During this time, the issues associated with Leo will be particularly prominent. Leo is a fire sign, characterized as masculine, fixed, and ruled by the Sun. Individuals born under this sign are known for their creative and dramatic nature, as well as their generosity. However, they can also be prone to arrogance, pride, and narcissism.
Mercury in Leo individuals are known for their dramatic tendencies. They are self-confident, strong-willed, and stubborn. However, because of their fixed nature, they can be resistant to change. They tend to focus on the “big picture” and consequently can miss important details.
During Mercury’s retrograde in Leo, try to avoid speaking without thinking, getting into arguments, and appearing as an arrogant know-it-all. Use this time to examine if you are tapping into your highest creative potential, expressing yourself comfortably. During the retrograde, it is an excellent time to identify areas for improvement in our home, workplace, and interpersonal relationships.
The Summer retrograde will be significant for individuals with early degrees of mutable signs ( Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) and the later degrees for fixed signs ( Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius).
CAUTION ALERT:
During the time that Mercury is retrograde in Leo, there will be three important events involving Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. On August 14th, Mars in Gemini will conjunct Jupiter. Then on August 16th, Mars will square Saturn in Pisces. Finally, on August 19th, Jupiter in Gemini will also square Saturn in Pisces. I won’t go into all the details, but this could lead to explosive conflicts. (I will go into more detail in the More Summer Fun Part Two post.)
Too much fun might lead to some consequences! Mars will act like the initiator, being energetic and enthusiastic, while Jupiter will amplify that energy, and Saturn will try to regulate things. It’s important to make wise decisions during this time.
Take extra precautions when driving or using heavy equipment. Avoid conflict, debates, and drama.
Be sure to check back for Part Two ~ Summer FUN 2024~ and Visit my Facebook chat at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1221989338728451
“It is a wise person who rules the stars, a fool who is ruled by them.”