Apr 28 – May 22, 2016
Click here to learn about Mercury.
Mercury turns retrograde 3-4 times a year, more frequently than any other planet. Mind candy from EarthSky:
On Mercury … the Sun sometimes moves in retrograde! As the planet speeds through its closest approach with the sun, its orbital speed overtakes its rotational speed. An astronaut on the surface would see the sun partially rise, then dip back below the horizon, then rise again before resuming its east-to-west trek across the sky. Once a year, Mercury gets two sunrises on the same day!
Planets in retrograde are not actually spinning backwards – it is entirely an optical illusion as seen from Earth. Backwards motion appears to happen when Earth passes slower moving planets in the outer solar system. In astrology, this illusion manifests as a “backwards” functioning of the planetary roles. Click here to learn more about retrograde.
The last Mercury Retrograde was in Capricorn just a few months ago. This cycle broached issues of masculinity directly with male (father, partner or authority) figures in order to resolve communication barriers, engage in honest reflection and learn how to harness this realm for greatest good. Mercury Rx in Capricorn was a mini exhibition of what we’re seeing with Pluto in Capricorn, who also turns retrograde next week.
Mercury is concerned with communication, mental activity, travel, transportation, negotiation, expression and technology. When Mercury is retrograde, these realms are particularly affected. *There is no need to suspend work or projects that are already in progress. Mercury Rx only applies to new endeavors.*
Expect delays, cancellations or sudden changes to travel or social plans; technological failures, especially with cell phones, laptops or anything connected to the Internet; communication breakdowns; disorganization, confusion and impaired decision-making; objects mysteriously disappeared or lost/stolen; general breaking, quitting, falling apart or malfunctioning of anything and everything! I do not recommend making major purchases or signing significant (read: any) contracts/documents during this time. This is not a good time to travel or make life-altering commitments or large investments. Significant changes begin cropping up about 10 days before, during what is known as the “shadow period” (April 18-28). Treat this period as a trial run, an opportunity to gauge what’s ahead.
We’ve discussed Mercury in Taurus as of April 5. Let’s combine topics and wax poetic on the nature of Mercury Retrograde in this fixed earth sign.
My advice, during any Mercury Rx period, but especially this cycle, is to ground down in one place and just be there for awhile. Sit with yourself, meditate, practice silence. Even if we want to travel and be active, I don’t think Taurus will let us. As a static creature, she demands stillness, but there’s nothing stagnant about stillness. In fact it is only when we are still that we learn what’s truly happening internally.
Retrograde periods return to that which has been ignored, forgotten or discarded, so we will revisit lessons we failed to learn the first time around. It’s time to eliminate what is not important so as to know what is. This extends to everything, even the words we say. Indeed, the bull cherishes her pragmatism. But the bull mired in intransigence is ungracious, unforgiving. Mercury Retrograde in Taurus can make us too complacent or, on the other hand, unnecessarily argumentative. The bull is direct, assertive, candid; she communicates with conviction, but sometimes her straightforwardness is just unreasonably severe, even judgmental.
Mercury Retrograde always feels interminable, but I expect that in Taurus it will be soooo slowwwww..www..ww… Understand that Mercury in Taurus moves at a glacial pace because we need more time to choose our words, and carefully at that. This is part of the bull’s master plan to teach us patience patience patience. Although it won’t appear to happen quickly (or at all), resolution/completion is rising from deep within the earth. But don’t worry about the end; it is only after we have control over our daily life that transformation unfolds anyway. Focus on living simply.
Celebrate Mercury Retrograde with Taurus Yoga.
To determine your Mercury sign and whether he was direct or retrograde at the time of your birth, click here. I was born with Mercury in Taurus, so this is a Mercury Return for me, and maybe you too.
Mantra: change is good