Mercury Retrograde
Ghost Period: August 26- Sept 16, 2015
Intense Retrograde Period: Sept 17-October 9, 2015
Motion Direct: October 10-17, 2015
The last Mercury retrograde (read about it here) seems like it was just yesterday. With one roller coaster after another between Saturn, Venus, Jupiter, and Pluto playing rough, Mars and Neptune did not help matters much.
Once again we are forced to slow down and consider everything that happened in the past. The slow moving planet mercury will be turning retrograde again on August 26, 2015. It will begin its journey in the ghost period motioning backwards at 28 degrees Virgo. As Mercury is a slow moving planet it will not station retrograde until September 17, 2015.
On October 9, 2015, Mercury will begin its path to motion forwards at 0 degrees Libra; touching every planet again until it hits station direct on October 17, 2015.
Many astrologers believe that a planet that retrogrades begins its period about 2 to 3 weeks before it begins its actual retrograde period. This is especially the case in the Vedic philosophies, meaning plan now for the hindrances of tomorrow and mitigate any future crisis because of planetary stimuli.
Therefore, I would expect that the energy will be felt as early as August 26, 2015 and as late as October 17, 2015. This period may be reflecting a shadow of what is yet to arise.
Many people elaborate that Mercury will straighten out on October 9, 2015, conversely, the speed of the planet must be calculated, which often is not. Nonetheless, some of the anxieties and perplexity could subside by October 9, 2015; hence, one may be still viewing life with foggy glasses until October 17, 2015.
An example of the energy can be drawn as a train. Before the train begins to move on its track there are many things that need to be prepared prior the journey; such as tickets, time, and other mechanical issues that could cause delays.
When Mercury is retrograde, there are a lot of introverted and self-conscious thoughts which could cause memory loss or forgetfulness. With Mercury retrograde in Virgo-Libra, people with this sign conspicuous in their charts will be predominantly disposed to such contemplation.
Since Mercury rules Gemini & Virgo, they too will be affected as the life they may have once known is in a slow speed. But all mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Pisces and Sagittarius) will feel this. Forget about patience, Sagittarius and Pisces may have 0 tolerances. The only thing one must blame it on is Mercury; then again, Mercury does not care how one feels. He will take everyone hostage.
This year’s retrograde has been the most troublesome for Air signs (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius) causing major frustrations. We began our year with the first Mercury retrograde in Aquarius then moved to Gemini and the very last retrograde for this year is going to pound Libra.
Mercury retrograde in Libra may cause a lot of hindrances for Libras and anything that goes wrong is self-scrutiny. The last time Libra’s may have felt like this could have been around September 2009. This could have caused many people to reconnect with people from the past or they realized that they were in the wrong situation at the wrong time. The most recent retrograde would have been in October, 2014 (read more about it here).
Venus rules Libra which focuses mainly on relationships. Reflection will be directed towards personal lives to evaluate, assess deeper issues of relationships, and opening our eyes to the real problem. Libras must expect the unexpected.
The retrograde does not have to be ruthless; it’s blessing about love of order, loveliness, modification and honesty. Many people start to panic when someone mentions Mercury retrograde due to the reputation of delays, obstacles, and electronic malfunctions.
Mercury in Libra questions how communication and quality of relationships relate to one another. It is time to clear up misunderstandings, create healthy boundaries and set a goal to re-discuss the issues after Mercury is direct so that there is no misinterpretation in the future.
Love matters can be unpredictable and impulsive due to egocentric outlooks. All areas of communication are traumatic, especially matters relating to families, business, and particularly anyone who works from home or travels a lot. Papers can go missing. Be sure to carry a journal and refer to it frequently. Rumors concerning companions, partners, and coworkers should be discounted or taken with a grain of salt, particularly if sex or money are elaborated. The plot will coagulate with ambiguities leading up to October 17, 2015 when mercury begins to moves forward.
A planet is defined as retrograde when it seems to be moving the wrong way through the zodiac. This customary concept rises in the misleading planetary motion created by the orbital turning of the earth and relation to other planets in our solar system. Planets are never essentially retrograde or stationary, they just seem that way, due to this optical impression.
Mercurial energy can be good or bad, but it will certainly be energizing! This Planet also stimulates us to move from one thing to the next and to get answers on both a physical and psychological level. Further, Mercury’s dynamism is both agile and insightful.
Mercury is about short journeys: a visit to a neighbor or a friend across town, the workaday commute, or a weekend getaway. Siblings and transportation, in general, are also within Mercury’s realm. Speaking, writing, books, online communications, and learning are all within Mercury’s domain.
Remember, we can use this powerful energy in positive ways. Use this time to do activities that start with “re”: renew, repair, review, renegotiate, and research.
In general, Mercury rules philosophy and insight, processing and distributing information, and all means of communication, commerce, and transportation. In addition, Mercury rules people who work in these areas, especially people who are thinkers or acumen: writers and orators, commentators and critics, gossips and spin doctors, tricksters and thieves. Mercury retrograde gives rise to personal misapprehensions, unsound, interrupted or postponed communications, conferences and trade, malfunctions and breakdowns with phones, computers, cars, buses, and trains. And all of these problems usually arise because some critical piece of information, or element, has gone off track or askew.
When Mercury is retrograde, everyone’s rational is more meditative and we tend to think about matters causing distress that transmits to the sign involved. Creative propensities including trades, music, art, or design tend to be obstructed by surroundings beyond ones control. Legal matters will progress sluggishly and unanticipated difficulties tend to appear. Mercury retrograde tends to lack complexity of awareness and has no tolerance for detailed exploration. Approaches and inspiration for learning, communication, and transportation are subject to complications under this aspect. It brings travel delays and missed appointments of all kinds.
The good things to do when Mercury is retrograde: reflect, envision, edit the book/poem/song/essay you’ve been writing, clean house, talk to your pet, listen to music, paint, and catch up on sleep!
Tendencies which I elaborate below are general and based on Vedic philosophies, not being directed to any specific individual. If you are curious about how Mercury retrograde will affect you individually, and its effects according to Western Astrology, I would suggest that you contact my recommended astrologer Leslie Hale or any one of my recommended astrologers here
I will begin with Libras and all Air signs(Gemini, Libra & Aquarius) as 2015 has been fixated on Air sign introspection. Followed by Earth signs lead by Virgo that feel as difficulty in adjusting, but mercury is not bias at all and he can rattle Pisces and all water signs. But somehow of all the astrological signs Fire signs are the only one that shakes of almost anything
Libra: This is your Mercury; the universe really wants you to slow down, consider and contemplate who you are. Do you like the way you look? Are your dignity, integrity, and face being saved by your personality? Remember that one of the most important eclipses is coming in your sign next month and some of these answers you must be prepared to answer. You must also consider how your personality affects people, how easily you become sarcastic, and if you always want control.
Gemini: Your relationships with your children, pleasure, and spiritual practices will be questioned and slowed tremendously. You may not enjoy all the things you used to enjoy and you may even feel as though your wishes are not being granted. I would also not be surprised that if you are married or about to get married, issues of the past come back for discussion and you may feel like you did back in May, 2015.
Aquarius: I am sure many Aquarians want to go back to school, or they are becoming spiritual and your intuition is mostly antennas. Learning, visions, travel, and education can all be problematic to you dear Aquarius. There is a high chance you may easily become very confused, you may not be able to sit still or be able to meditate, and your intuition may be off. This is because you are now questioned that if everything in your life is not consistent and all the gifts you have, i.e. learning, teaching, spirituality and initiative capabilities, were not present then who are you?
Virgo: Money has always been on your mind however, this Mercury questions your money, education, resources, security and anything that is focused around money. It may be that your paycheck is delayed, or a deposit gets lost. I would not be surprised that when you expect to be consistent in areas of money this is where the universe will question you as well. The question to Virgo’s occurs even though Jupiter has a nice placement on your chart. If the money was not there or that money is used faster than it comes in will you still be ok? Most of all, how much weight do your place on your financial resources?
Taurus: Even though Jupiter has entered Virgo and this is a blessing for you too, Mercury will make things a little difficult. You may find that your work and health regime has slowed down. You may feel as though your work is coming to an end or something is wrong. It’s a time to introspect whether what you are doing for a living or career is what you want to do for the rest of your life. If so then what can you do to improve productivity?
Capricorn: Power, prestige, recognition, success and status are all important to you Dear Capricorn, but now Mercury questions you and your profession. You may feel that you did not receive the recognition you usually do, you may feel as though you are not getting ahead in your finances, or you may even feel people are disrespecting you. Mercury also questions how reliant you are on your profession and if you aren’t really reliant then why do you put such emphasis on it?
Pisces: Money matters have been the most important aspect of your life since March. But the time is coming where whatever you are owed, such as pension, inheritance, and gratuity is not arriving in the fashion it used to be. Other people are also not compensating or being too generous with you. The problem is you may have been too reliant on this even though the bashful side of you may be denying this. It is asking you, Pisces to get realistic with what other people must give you and consider what you must give to others.
Cancer: The pleasures you have with your mother, house, and what gives you comfort will be questioned. You may find your environment problematic. All facets may have electronic problems, delays, or uncertainties. Mercury now questions how well did you treat your mother? How well did you take care of your things? Most of all, what affect does it have on you as a person?
Scorpio: You have been down the road when financial matters were limited in your life. Normally you can tell who is deceiving you and who is not. You can also tell instantly who your enemies are, doing this with prayer and reliability in the universe. But now the universe questions how reliant are you on spirituality and resources, and do you cry in secret. All these will become obvious and there may be confusion in regard to religious practices and outcomes.
Aries: Your current relationship will be tried. It is Mercury’s way of having you reassess your past and consider how you may have affected the relationship. I would not be surprised if there are misunderstandings and miscommunication in all areas of personal relationships. You should know that you do not want the past relationships back otherwise they will haunt you.
Leo: You may discover that this retrograde is causing you to be sluggish at work or that there is no work that needs to be done. You may become bored and often feel as though something is wrong. If you work in areas of creativity, writing, or any sort of media, expect glitches in all aspects of creativity and passion.
Sagittarius: I realize you hate Mercury retrograde because you seem to think that Mercury slaps you harder than anyone else. However, this is not true. As a matter of fact you will now see that friendships will be questioned, friends from the past may reconnect, and most of all the communications that friends give to you may seem scattered and confusing.
All of the references listed above are mere tendencies and again, I would recommend you speak to an astrologer if you want in-depth knowledge of how Mercury will touch each planet or none.
Since Mercury is a very sluggish moving planet and it affects virtually all planetary signs, it is my suggestion that you purchase a yellow candle and carve your name through to the wick. Anoint the candle with Inspiration oil or Eucalyptus oil and chant the Psalm 70 every single night. This period will last for 3 weeks and it will be hard on all of us. These actions will allow friendly communications as well as understanding in challenging situations.
You may also choose to recite a mantra every morning until October 21, 2015. Remember that with all applications of psalms and mantras achieving the desired result is dependent upon the quality of intention. When it comes to finding satisfying relationships, it is of the greatest importance to begin with a clear understanding of what your goal should be. The mantras can be hard to pronounce for many but are a powerful source of energy. I have chosen the following mantra for you during this Mercury retrograde:
“Om Budhaya Namaha”
(Om Bood-han-yah Nahm-ah-ha)
“Om and salutations to Buddha, presiding spirit of planet mercury”
This mantra is used to attain spiritual transparency, to evade and overcome misinterpretations, and keep welcoming communications smooth.
Keep in mind this is not a time to make any hardcore decisions about anything – rather, think about it. Sign, promise, and create nothing. Remember that legal issues, closings, work, communication, and transportation will all be flawed at this time.
Most of all make no decisions regarding relationships, there can be difficult conversations, misunderstandings, obsession, jealousy, envy and even power struggles. If by any chance the relationship breaks up, it will be hard to mold it back together again this year as you may have to wait until next year to do so.
In awaiting reunions, make sure you know if this is what you want because if the person is reserved, difficult to understand or just unavailable, they will still be that way now. Again if there is a reunion then do not expect it to stay forever, as all the issues of the past will come tumbling down at the next mercury
Namaste
Maharani Rutan©
Maharani Rutan 