February 28th, Mercury at 26’ Pisces Mercury starts to slow down and enters the pre-retrograde shadow
March 3 Mercury enters Aries
March 11th, at 3:45 pm, Mercury will conjoin Venus retrograde at 8’ Aries
March 14th, at 11:46 pm, Mercury goes station to retrograde at 9’Aries
March 29th, at 7:17 pm, Mercury falls back into Pisces and conjuncts Neptune at 7:46 pm. in Pisces. Hours later, Neptune will ingress into Aries on March 30th at 5:00 am.
On April 7th at 4:07 am, Mercury stations direct at 26’ Pisces.
April 26th at 1:28 am, Mercury leaves the post retrograde shadow and returns to 9’ Aries.
Mercury goes retrograde three, sometimes four times a year; our spring retrograde starts in Aries and will fall back into Pisces. Mercury retrograde’s path will closely mirror the Venus retrograde that begins on March 1st. The universe is doing a big shout-out to Aries and Pisces, especially if you have angles or planets in the mutable or cardinal signs between 20’ of Pisces and 19’ of Aries!
Let’s review the Mercury Retrograde Cycle and how to make the Mercury Retrograde work for you.
The Pre-Retrograde Shadow:
Before going retrograde, Mercury’s speed starts to slow down, and we start to notice frustrations with communication, travel, and technology. We can use this “pre-retrograde” time to get ready and prepare. Be sensible and take the initiative to get ahead of possible mercury retrograde problems. Take your car to get looked at or get an oil change, check your tires, back up your computer, update your computer’s security and virus protection, and replace your smoke alarm batteries.
Retrograde:
Mercury slows to a halt and officially goes “station to retrograde”. This is when we experience significant frustrations regarding communication, commerce, travel, and technology. We can expect miscommunications, travel delays, or the need to cancel and reschedule plans, and technology can break down. As Mercury “retraces its steps,” we can see what needs to be revised, reorganized, and restructured. Mercury retrograde can reveal flaws in our plans and our thinking process. We can be overwhelmed with blockages and beset with unforeseen obstacles. We may have to make changes, adjust our schedules, and repeat steps. It can be difficult to express ourselves clearly, or we misread 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.
Mercury retrograde supports introspection and re-evaluation and can increase intuition and psychic awareness. Intuition works better than logic during this time. Trust your instincts, be guided by your dreams, and explore your creativity when Mercury is retrograde.
Remember to slow down, take your time, and double-check your work; pay attention to details. Mercury retrograde works best when focused on reorganizing, reviewing, redoing, and finishing projects.
When Mercury Goes Direct
Once Mercury has gone “station to direct,” we can slowly feel the retrograde release its grip as the gears begin to move forward.
Post Retrograde ( two sometimes three-week periods)
During the post-Mercury retrograde period, as Mercury gains speed, situations start to “correct” themselves. At this time, we can begin to problem-solve and work on the issues that the Mercury retrograde broke. During the post-retrograde phase, you are given the chance to handle the third pass of Mercury more effectively. ( Mercury is now retracing its steps)
Working with Mercury Retrograde
We can transform our experience with Mercury Retrograde and use the “backward” motion to our benefit. Knowledge is power. When Mercury goes retrograde, we can avoid unnecessary difficulties by following some sensible guidelines and consciously working with retrograde energy.
1. Use the three-week window before Mercury goes retrograde (called the shadow period) to get prepared. For example:
- Back up your computer, tablet, and cell phone.
- Do car maintenance.
- If possible, avoid purchasing big-ticket items that cannot be returned.
- Avoid making agreements or signing contracts.
- Do not start new projects
2. Know what sign Mercury will be retrograde in. The sign that Mercury is transiting while retrograde will tell you what specific difficulties you might encounter. For example, if Mercury was retrograde in sensitive and emotionally watery Cancer, the retrograde would highlight issues around home life, domesticity, communications with family members, family resources, and emotional security issues. This placement can bring to the surface emotions that have been dwelling deep in the subconscious, and uncomfortable and unresolved emotions can rise to the surface. Communication can be filled with micro-aggressions. People tend to be more hypersensitive at this time, and emotional misunderstandings can be difficult to resolve. Mercury retrograde in Cancer can tap into memories of unresolved emotional conflicts, and people and situations from your past can come into focus. This is a time when you can use your natural psychic abilities to further emotional growth. People can feel moody and have the urge to “nest” during this transit. Mercury retrograde in Cancer is a good time to do renovations, complete household repairs, work on a family scapebook, or investigate your family’s genealogy.
3. Know what house the Mercury retrograde is traveling in. For example, if Mercury retrograde is moving through your 6th house, prepare to experience challenges at work or with your co-workers. If it is traveling through your third house, pay extra attention to how you are driving, and be careful when speaking; it is easier to be misunderstood at this time.
4. The best use of your energy during the Mercury retrograde is to slow down, pay attention to your surroundings, take the scenic route, and be mindful that you might run into delays, and it’s okay. Give yourself extra time to get where you are going, and be patient with yourself and others. Be prepared to possibly experience communication difficulties, misunderstandings, or delays at work or when traveling. Practice patience and be cautious. Review your work, recheck your schedule, double-check your calendar, and take the extra step to make sure things are done correctly.
5. Take time to relax, try to meditate, walk, and take a nap. Step out of your normal routine. The Mercury retrograde can be an excellent time to reflect, daydream, and imagine. Get in touch with your inner creative energies. Be open to psychic information.
6. Traditional astrology advises that during the Mercury retrograde, it is unwise to enter into contractual agreements. Often, contracts signed when Mercury is retrograde are flawed, or the agreement will need to be revised, or the legal matter drags on and on. DO NOT BUY BIG TICKET ITEMS like cars or computers. DO NOT BEGIN NEW PROJECTS!
7. Remember the R’s: The best use of our time and energy during a Mercury retrograde is to “retrace our steps,” circle back, and review, re-examine, and revise if necessary.
When Mercury goes retrograde, we often experience difficulties, delays, and frustrations with travel, communication, and technology. By knowing when Mercury goes retrograde, we can save ourselves a lot of headaches. We can prepare to meet the coming challenges.
Use the retrograde to reevaluate, review, and complete projects. Ideally, Mercury retrograde is an opportune time to engage with creative and spiritual energies. When we flow with the retrograde, things tend to go more smoothly. It’s beneficial to know the sign that Mercury occupies during the retrograde. The sign indicates the “mood” and behavior that will characterize this period.
Try to take preventive measures at least three weeks before Mercury goes retrograde. For example, take your car or computer for repairs or upkeep 3 weeks before the retrograde starts. Please wait until Mercury has gone direct for three weeks before starting any new projects.
When Mercury retrograde transits connect to your Natal, Solar, or Progressed charts, Mercury issues, particularly communications issues, can become very challenging.
Remember the Do and Do NOT Do List for Mercury Retrograde
- Do check and recheck travel plans, schedules, and appointments
- Do review, re-do, review, tie up loose ends, repair
- Do fix what was broken during the last retrograde
- Double-check written documents or calculations
- DO NOT SIGN CONTRACTS, DO NOT buy big-ticket items, electronics, cars
- Do not start a new project, take a new job, or avoid 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
“It is a wise person who rules the stars, a fool who is ruled by them.”