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.
Spend the retrograde reevaluating, reviewing, and completing projects. Ideally, Mercury retrograde is a fertile time to work with creative and spiritual energies. When we go with the flow of the retrograde things tend to go better. It is helpful to know the sign that Mercury is in while retrograde. The sign tells us “the mood” and behavior the retrograde period will exhibit.
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.
To learn more about the Mercury Retrograde cycle please see the blog post: “Understanding Mercury and the Mercury Retrograde Cycle”
Astrologically the Earth element is practical, all the earth signs Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn are comfortable with details, routines, structures, and societal rules.
This Mercury Retrograde will spend the whole cycle in Taurus. Taurus is a fixed earth sign she is slow, cautious, and stubborn.
During this Mercury retrograde take time to re-evaluate how attached you are to your daily routines and habits. Are these routines and structures serving your best interest or are they holding you back? Taurus is ruled by Venus and is associated with material possessions and finances. During this Mercury retrograde review your financial situation and prioritize your security needs. This would be a good time to find ways to manage your money better, investigate how you can create a budget, and save or invest your money.
The Retrograde Cycle
The pre-shadow: starts April 7 Mercury at 5’50” Taurus
Mercury Stations to Retrograde: starts April 21 at 15”37’ Taurus
The Sun/Mercury Cazimi:
On May 1, the Sun and Mercury will make a conjunction. When Mercury and the Sun conjunct a Cazimi occurs. A Cazimi is when a planet is within 1 degree of the Sun ( or 17 arc minutes). Astrologer, Olivia Barclay states in her book, Horary Astrology Rediscovered “, any planet at the very heart of the Sun, within 17 minutes of its center, is called Cazimi and is considered most fortunate. (p.86)
Cazimi is an ancient Arabic term, (translated means heart of the Sun) for when a planet is within 17 mins arc of the Sun. Cazimi is considered to be a form of “accidental dignity”, fortified by the Sun’s rays, a very auspicious and lucky time.
A Cazimi Mercury has been called the “mark of genius” strengthening the abilities to communicate, gain insights, and to have the ability to see “into the heart of situations and circumstances”.
Mercury Stations to Direct: May 14 at 5’50’ Taurus
Post Shadow ends: May 31 Mercury Taurus at 15’50
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
- Do 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 ahead, give yourself extra time to arrive at your destination or finish projects
Use the present well
“Time passes unhindered. When we make mistakes, we cannot turn the clock back and try again. All we can do is use the present well.” His Holiness Dalai Lama