Personal Magik

Tag: retrograde

  • Maximizing Mercury Retrograde in Virgo: Liberation and New Focus

    Maximizing Mercury Retrograde in Virgo: Liberation and New Focus

    What does it mean when Mercury goes retrograde? and what does it mean for you?

    Mercury retrograde is the period when the planet Mercury appears to move backwards in the sky. Mercury retrograde occurs in three phases:

    • Pre-shadow, this is when Mercury looks like it is slowing down in the sky but still moving forward
    • Retrograde, this is when Mercury appears to move backwards in the sky
    • Post-shadow, this is when Mercury starts to move forward again and gains speed over time. Any blockers or problems that came up during the retrograde will start to clear up.

    The planet Mercury represents the way that people think and communicate, and when it’s in retrograde it’s generally considered problematic. This is because retrograde planets can bring back old things that you may want to be done with.

    Mercury retrograde is most commonly associated with confusion, disagreement, technology breakdowns, delays (especially with travel), and lost items. Business negotiations are influx and key details may be missed or withheld.

    In a more positive light, Mercury retrograde can bring back fond memories, and people from your past.

    July 16th | Pre-shadow

    Mercury begins to slow down at 21 degrees of Leo. On this day mercury will be squaring (90 degrees of separation) Mars and Uranus in Taurus.

    The Mars Uranus conjunction and it’s impact to Mercury retrograde.

    When two planets meet in the same place in the sky (same degree and sign) they form a conjunction. Planetary conjunctions will blend the energy of two planets together. In this case we have Mars blending it’s energy with Uranus. These energies together can create a strong desire for strange things, or an eagerness diverge from the way that things have always been done. It can also bring about events that abruptly break you from a pattern, belief, or commitment that isn’t useful anymore.

    With the influence of Mars there can be a desire to act spontaneously or erratically in response to new information or communication. It is important to keep in mind that there is a fine line between recklessness and missed opportunity.

    With Mercury squaring this aspect it is especially important to measure your words and give extra thought to communications. Typically Mercury square Mars leads to destructive or inflammatory words or thoughts when the message is given from a lower vibration like anger, frustration, and/or anxiety.

    The most productive way to direct Mars’ energy is to focus on something that you’ve already been working on so you don’t get caught up in the heat of the moment and do something that you cannot take back. This aspect is great for channeling energy toward long term ideas as opposed to something you feel in the moment.

    August 5th | Mercury retrograde

    Mercury stations retrograde (does not appear to move, then begins to move backwards) in the sign of Virgo at 4 degrees. As Mercury stations retrograde it will square Mars and Jupiter.

    The energy of Mercury Retrograde

    When mercury to stations retrograde it will be squaring Mars and Jupiter in Gemini, this can increase the amount of information being shared as well as our desire to act on it.

    It is important with mercury retrograde that we are extra thoughtful and diligent around the information we consume, our own thoughts, and what we say to others.

    Mercury retrograde in Virgo is a great time to reassess, and correct things that we want to work better for ourselves. Focusing on how to make things more grounded, simple, and practical which allow us to integrate new and meaningful lessons throughout mercury retrograde and beyond.

    Now is a good time to clean out parts of your life that are causing anxiety and distress. Take breaks from things that we are doing to excess and be critical of how those behaviors are serving us (or not serving us).

    Mercury retrograde in Virgo shows us the clarity and liberation that come from breaking the bonds that hold us back from growing and allow more aligned opportunities in.

    Mercury Retrograde conjunct Venus

    Venus brings a pleasant and soothing energy on August 7th when it conjuncts Mercury.
    Venus’ energy will brings support, cooperation, and appreciation. If you are working through disputes, or negotiations Venus’ energy will support you in the pursuit of peaceful settlements and dissolve barriers for progress.

    Sun Mercury cazimi

    The term “cazimi” derives from the Arabic word “kaṣmīmī,” meaning “in the heart” or “in the center.” Mercury cazimi is considered a special conjunction that supports sudden positive insights related to Mercury retrograde. The Mercury cazimi will happen on August 18th and September 30th.

    The Sun conjunct Mercury brings mental alertness, quick thinking, adaptability, and curiosity. Expect increased personal interaction that will bring needed insight into the lessons from Mercury retrograde.

    Mercury retrograde phase chart, and astrological charts

    DateSignPhaseDays
    July 16th LeoPre-shadow19
    August 5thVirgoRetrograde Begins23
    August 28thLeoStation direct, Post-shadow begins14
    Pre-shadow chart
    Station retrograde chart
    Station direct and post shadow chart

  • Mercury Retrograde in Aries Forecast

    Mercury Retrograde in Aries Forecast

    Photo by Vlad Fonsark on Pexels.com

    Mercury stations retrograde at 26 degrees and 12 minutes of Aries. on April 1st 2024 @6:30 am EST

    People with Cardinal placements between 15 – 30 degrees (ARIES, Libra, Cancer, Capricorn) will feel this energy the most. Fire signs are up next (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) and Scorpio (due to mars rulership in traditional astrology)

    From April 01 to April 25th Mercury will appear to move backwards in the sky. The dispositor of this retrograde is Mars, which is in Pisces with in 10 degrees of Saturn.

    What does dispositor mean? Dispositor is a term used to describe the ruling planet of an activated sign, and is used in astrology to bring additional detail to the event being looked at.

    The energy of Mercury retrograde in Aries might feel a little weird. Aries likes action, instinct, inspirations, and passion. When Mercury normally spends it’s time in Aries communication is straight forward, fast, and witty. But a retrograde Mercury wants us to measure twice and cut once with our words. This is the antithesis of what Aries does normally, (instead of “ready, aim, fire Aries is fire, ready, aim). As a consequence we might feel ourselves spin out, like were doggy paddling in circles. As we enter this retrograde it’s important that we first protect our own energy and be patient with ourselves so we can be patient with others, because they’ll be experiencing the mercury retrograde too.

    Earlier I mentioned that the dispositor of the retrograde would be Mars. Currently Mars is in the sign of Pisces. The energy of Mars in Pisces, is also a bit weird. Mars focuses on action, passion, and assertion. This is a stark contrast to the energy of Pisces which appreciates belief, connection, oneness, and flow.

    This can shake out in a couple of ways:

    Less challenging:

    When Mars is in Pisces there might be more energy to fight or protect the things we believe in….(I say protect because of the the close proximity of Saturn to Mars in Pisces). Or a passion for play and exploration as a means for pleasure, but be careful about over indulging. If you are feeling this energy, ride the wave. There is likely something you are meant to find, realize, or connect with that has been hidden from you that will help you get in touch with yourself ahead of the Aries eclipse.

    More challenging:

    Another manifestation of this energy might be the dampening of passion, and a need to slow your roll. As Mars approaches Saturn in Pisces at the beginning of the mercury retrograde we are being checked by Saturn who’s been doing the work to clean up the energetic leaks in the Pisces part of our charts since the beginning of last year. And if the energy that we approach this conjunction causes us to burn out, or vaporizes our energy, or some how puts undue pressure on Saturn to move faster and produce results (it wont) (because Mars yields to Saturn in this scenario, and Mercury supports a slow down as well….Let me know if you want me to explain my reasoning for this) Our efforts might just get thrown in our face. This frustration, of perceived set back shouldn’t last the entire retrograde as mars moves away from Saturn, and approaches Neptune. Be cautious of retreating into negative coping mechanisms as we work with the energies.