We are approaching a Mercury retrograde, beginning the 6th of September. As we brace ourselves for the cosmic ‘communication breakdown’ it’s important to remember that it isn’t all bad. Many of the troubles this cycle is known for causing can be avoided or minimized with some preparation beforehand, and extra care taken during the retrograde. More importantly, like everything else we experience, there is a reason and a purpose. We can turn the retrogrades to our advantage if only we are willing to work with them. One good rule of thumb, is most things beginning with re- are compatible with the retrograde; rethink, review, revise, repair…
You are most likely familiar with the general effects of Mercury’s retrogrades (if not, or if you need more information about turning them to your advantage, see my retrograde page). Despite the quite noticeable similarities, each retrograde is different. The sign(s) he will retrograde through, and the aspects he will make take on a deeper significance, and shape the effects of the retrograde itself.
This retrograde begins in the sign of Libra on September 6th, and moves into Virgo on the 17th. He will continue retrograding through Virgo until the 29th of September when the retrograde ends. Libra is the sign of balance, although it in itself does not bring balance, but rather the desire to seek balance. Although Mercury will only spend 11 days retrograding through Libra, that’s more than enough time to throw things seriously out of balance. Libra is symbolized by the scales of justice, encouraging us to put a little more weight on one side whenever we see the scales tipping the other direction. While Mercury is in retrograde, be careful – where you think you see the scales tipping it may just be an illusion of the angle you are looking at them. In all likelihood, the imbalance is nonexistent, necessary, or in the opposite direction of what you thought. During this part of the retrograde, like when driving, overcorrection can cause a bigger wreck than the one you were avoiding. Of course, the comparison to driving is a metaphor, however do be careful when driving – this scenario in the literal sense, will be more likely to occur during this time as well.
While Mercury is retrograding through Libra, take extra care in dealing with people, especially in close, personal relationships – romantic or otherwise. Miscommunication and misunderstandings are common with Mercury retrogrades, but they can be particularly destructive to your relationships while the retrograde is in Libra. This can, however, be a good time for reviewing relationships and partnerships. Take a close look at the other person, how they effect you and how you effect them. There are often destructive elements in relationships we are not even aware of because they are subtle, or we are so used to them. This isn’t time for confrontations, or trying to make drastic changes/sever corrections, but a time to watch. Try to ‘take a a step back’, observing your interrelations with people from an objective perspective. Try to think of it as if it were someone else in your shoes, a close friend, and what advice would you give that person? You may be surprised what good advice you come up with for yourself. Even though it seems impossible to take your own advice immediately, (and probably not a good idea to do so at the very least) you will again be surprised by how well it can fit into your life – with only a few minor adjustments – once the retrograde has passed.
The remainder of the retrograde will be spent in Virgo, Mercury’s own sign. While Mercury is in Virgo typically is a good time for getting things done – while Mercury retrogrades in Virgo can be a good time for getting thing undone. Be careful of falling into bad habits, or losing good habits during this time. Virgo is the organizer and efficiency engineer of the zodiac; the fault-finder constantly seeking refinement and perfection.
Naturally, the retrograde passing through Virgo doesn’t have the sole purpose of making a mess out of our lives, although there will be times it seems that way. As a Mercury ruled sign, the difficulties it will cause are mostly stereotypical of a Mercury retrograde. The usual advice and precautions apply pretty much un-modified therefore, if we take it to heart, and practice it we are off to a good start towards coming out of this retrograde unscathed. Of course, there is more to Virgo than just Mercury’s rulership, so there is some additional advice and precautions.
One of the biggest hazards to watch for is apathy and depression. I don’t mean this retrograde is going to drive people to a psychiatrist with clinical depression, or give up on their life’s dream – this is a more subtle, less dramatic apathy and depression. It manifests in the little things, the very things Virgo is known to be so helpful with. Generally, if strong Virgo energy is harnessed and used wisely, it can iron out the little wrinkles, and work out the details. This is where the Virgo Sun sign gets a bad reputation for being criticizing and knit-picky. The sign encourages us to find where there is room for improvement, a little here and there, to make the tiny pieces fit better, creating a stronger and more perfect whole. While Mercury retrograding is in Virgo, all those little things don’t seem so fixable – though we are driven to try. Often our attempts to iron out the wrinkles end up ironing in the wrinkles, and after a while it gets depressing. That little pile of clutter is gone, but you don’t remember where you put it, and you threw away something you shouldn’t have…
Always remember in a Mercury retrograde, is he’s going backwards (at least from our perspective). Things are reversed, our perspective is from a different angle, and most importantly the energy is directed inward. What just doesn’t work right in our lives, externally, is because the focus is turned inward. While Mercury is retrograding through Virgo, we can struggle to focus, and still make a bigger and bigger mess, becoming more and more confused as we attempt to analyze and refine aspects of our outer lives. We can become so absorbed in this we forget to even look inside, as it’s taking all of our attention and effort to try and keep a good focus and clear head to process what’s outside. We have to, at least sometimes in some situations to keep our lives on track. But we don’t have to all the time, and if we do we’re missing the benefits of the retrograde.
In a retrograde the flow is reversed the energy turns inward – along with our attention. This is a time for taking a good look at, and inside, ourselves. For example:
So, you just can’t seem to break that bad habit? Ask yourself why – and listen for the real answer. Look beyond "well I’m busy…" and "it’s easier this way". Ask yourself why it’s not worth the time and effort, yet seems so important you keep trying. What part of you needs this change, and what part of you is resisting? Are you responding to pressure from others, being irresponsible, being self-repressive, asking too much, too little, wasting effort on something you aren’t even sure of…
The list of possibilities is endless, and a failed attempt to break a habit is only an example. Whatever you find yourself most focused on, or frustrated with in your external life is most likely representative of an inner issue. As the focus is turned inward, you are naturally more receptive to your inner self. This is a time for seeking self-improvement, and self understanding. As Virgo seeks to ‘fix’ the little things, bringing them together into a stronger whole – look for the inner little things you can fix. As you take an honest look what about yourself are you critical, or disapproving of? Why? Do you need to make a change for the better, or learn to love and accept yourself?
The frustration, depression, or apathy associated with a Mercury retrograde through Virgo typically springs from within. Everywhere we turn it seems we are faced with reminders of whatever about ourselves we are not satisfied with. That’s because our real focus is internal, and we are projecting it into our external lives when we must focus our attention outside. If we fail to give ourselves the time and space to allow the attention to turn inward, and genuinely address, understand, and deal with those issues, we simply become frustrated by them.
Mercury in Virgo will form a conjunction with Saturn as well as an opposition to Uranus before going retrograde, again while retrograde, and one final time after it has passed. In general events and daily life this adds a strong dose of chaos, and turns up the retrograde confusion a notch, brings delays, and increases frustration around those times. On a deeper level, this is an indication of restructuring, of barriers and walls coming down, and of issues with safety and security. Needles to say, it’s not the time to cut corners on typical safety measures and precautions in any situation – that freak accident just might happen. It also indicates the focus of inner issues we confront right now are likely within the realms of freedom, security, repression or rebellion.
The Mercury – Uranus opposition is significant beyond just this aspect itself. One of the most potent, and long-lasting aspects of this year (and beyond) is the Saturn-Uranus opposition. While I won’t go into great detail about this aspect it can be summarized with a few keywords; revolution, evolution, tearing down, restructuring, and progress vs. tradition. Wherever you see major events, issues, or situations fitting of these themes have developed in your life within the past year or so – that’s where the opposition is hitting you. This retrograde can mark a turning point in those issues.
This can be a time of great revelation and evolution in spiritual or emotional work; a time to discover you fears and blockages, needs and desires; a time to free your spirit, heal your wounds, and discover your inner strength in the process. It can also be a time of frustration, depression, and losing your way for a bit; a time when it’s just easier to let things get worse than try to make it better; a time of wallowing; a time of bitter resentment at the world in general. The deciding factor, like with all astrological influences, is free will. Work with the retrograde, and work with yourself – make the best of it, not the worst.
