In any given year, there are usually three Mercury retrograde periods, which occur in the same astrological element (fire, earth, air, or water). This year the Mercury retrograde periods dominate the fire signs of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius, emphasizing personal identity and the ways we assert that identity in relationship, the creative, self-expressive realm of the Human experience, and the philosophical perspective we use to make sense of the world and our place in it. From August 4 – August 28, 2024, Mercury will appear to be travelling backwards in relationship to the Sun. There is also a “slowing down” period for the week or two before, and a “regaining of speed” period for the week or two after Mercury actually goes retrograde. Most astrologers consider these before and after periods to follow the same rules and produce the same effects as the retrograde period.
Traditionally, Mercury retrograde periods, and the week or two before and after, have received a pretty “bad rap” astrologically. The idea that Mercury is out to get you by foiling your plans and creating confusion to turn your life topsy-turvy, seems to prevail. However, as is true of all astrological phenomena, there is always both a positive/constructive and a negative/counter- productive potential when it comes to the purpose and function of energetic patterns. A gentle reminder, planets don’t “do” anything to us. The energetic emanation of any planet is never “good” or “bad”. Our response to that energy, the choices we make and how we dance to the rhythms of the Universe as they are presented to us, become the basis of such judgment. The fact is, Mercury goes retrograde on a regular schedule, not to make our lives miserable, but because it can never be more than thirty degrees away from the Sun, astrologically. As the faster moving body, it surpasses the Sun on a regular schedule, then turns retrograde when it gets close to that 30-degree mark, returning to snuggle distance with the sun. Symbolically, every 3-4 months, we get to take a break from the bombardment of data and massive amount of stimuli collected on a daily basis (Mercury) and engage in the process of understanding and integrating that information as it relates to our personal life purpose and goals (Sun).
The traditional teaching of Mercury retrograde periods is that they are not the time to start anything new or to make important life-altering decisions regarding new possibilities. Plans made and executed often do go awry, due to unexpected (unforeseen) happenings, disruption of variables involved, or miscommunication (faulty connections). Things begun during Mercury retrograde periods often never reach fruition or don’t turn out as promised or planned. These experiences are most likely to occur when we ignore the primary function and meaning of Mercury in the horoscope, and the purpose of retrograde motion as it relates to any retrograde planet, which is “the five R’s”: REST, REVIEW, REVISIT, REEVALUATE, and RESET.
Mercury rules “the automatic mind”, which is that virtually unconscious part of our thinking process that works on automatic pilot. Most of us operate at this level of thought for the better part of our daily lives. We don’t “pay attention” as we make our morning coffee, brush our teeth, drive the same route to work each day. We make assumptions about other people’s behavior (i.e. If I say/do this, then he/she will respond like this.) We take for granted that our appliances and technological devices will work according to plan. (i.e., When I flick the switch, the lights will come on.) We assume we clearly communicated an idea and that it was understood by the recipient as we intended, without checking it out. When Mercury is retrograde, there is a greater likelihood of a “disconnect” between the impulse/action and the resulting/desired outcome. Miscommunication, unexpected disruptions that interfere with scheduled plans, and errors made due to lack of attention to details, abound.
When Mercury goes retrograde, like a neglected child, automatic mind rebels and screams, “PAY ATTENTION TO ME!” We must turn off automatic pilot and check our assumptions in order to more consciously navigate our way through the daily processes of living with a bit more thoughtfulness and care. Otherwise, things (or people) we take for granted are likely to fall short of our expectations, challenge our assumptions, or disappoint us when they don’t respond as they “should”. When we are exposed to the ways our unconscious thinking habits and patterns of thought no longer serve us accurately, we come to realize that there are other ways to process information and juggle stimuli to make sense of our world more effectively than the ones we have always used and to which we have become accustomed. Mercury retrograde often challenges us to “think differently” or alter our perspective to accommodate new variables that arise in reality. The level of disruption required, and the intensity of Mercury retrograde experiences needed, depend on how deeply entrenched we are in our habitual ways of thinking, or how addicted we are to “automatic mind”. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not break!
Obviously, it is not always possible to wait until Mercury goes direct to make important decisions, and basically, live our lives. In the event that you must act on some new venture, it is important that you pay very close attention to the details, read the fine print several times, and ask other trusted people to validate your perceptions or think of variables you many have missed. Mercury retrograde periods are best used to explore the possibilities, and think things through carefully before action is taken. If we can remind ourselves to take nothing for granted, to assume nothing, to more consciously review information and our perceptions, to check and recheck for clarity of our communications, and to pay attention to details, Mercury retrograde periods can leave us with greater clarity of mind and a more effective mental process, which will ultimately be a positive influence in all areas of our lives!
The Mercury retrograde emphasis in the Fire signs this year suggests that the areas in greatest need of REVIEW and RE-EVALUATION involve issues of identity, creative self-expression, and the importance of one’s worldview. With transiting Chiron and the North Node in Aries for a while now, we have all been engaged in an identity crisis of sorts for quite some time. Our definition of Self has changed, and new aspects of character have emerged. As we grow a greater awareness of who we are, previous reflections and the vehicles we use to express ourselves must also change. We feel the need to create new life structures to support this new “version of Self” and the new creative visions emerging in consciousness. In many ways, this is a year of new beginnings, and the exciting desire to pursue new goals, create new life structures, and explore new means and vehicles for creative self-expression. To do this well, we must better understand our passions and those things which excite and inspire us, and give our lives meaning. Retrograde Mercury in Leo throughout the month of August invites us to explore our desire to “shine” in the ways that matter most to us, and inspires us to construct the vehicles (life structures) through which we can create with abandon and unapologetic confidence. The desire to creatively express our unique gifts in the outer world, and the need to heal or resolve the blocks we have created toward that end, is intensified and should not be ignored. In true Leo style, it’s time to think about what makes life worth living, and then do more of that!
Kim McSherry
