Mercury turns retrograde [4 Virgo 06]
– August 5, 2024 (05:56 GMT+1)
Mercury Retrograde
The planet of communication Mercury is retrograde from August 5th to August 28th, i.e. it’s moving backwards through the zodiac. Sometimes, the Mercury retrograde phase coincides with communication chaos when the messenger of the Gods, fleet-footed Mercury, takes a break and hangs up his winged sandals.
Post goes missing, technology breaks down, dates get muddled, plans go awry, appliances go wonky, mishaps, delays and misunderstandings occur, the weather’s weird, the money markets are muddled and the world goes slightly crazy. Plans can unravel when Mercury is retrograde and you end up having to wait on information and other people. Clarity goes for a walk on its own.
Yes, you may lose things while Mercury’s retrograde but sometimes, you find things that have been lost for ages. Either way, go searching on this Mercury retrograde phase and see what you discover.
Mercury Retrograde – Virgo & Leo
During this Mercury retrograde phase, Mercury will be on go slow in two star signs, earth sign Virgo and fire sign Leo.
Mercury turns retrograde in Virgo, a star sign in which it’s strong. Mercury in Virgo is the analyst, the perfectionist. Therefore, this is an ideal combination for paying attention to the details of life, for writing, observation and insight.
When Mercury is retrograde in Virgo from August 5th, this is a good time to get your head down and busy yourself with a project. It’s often an ideal time for inner work. Focus on doing research and fact-finding, pay attention to your routine and lifestyle, your health and body and how you serve other people and do your bit to tend to the earth we live on. These are Virgo activities.
When Mercury retreats back into Leo on August 15th, this could feel different. It’s a bolder phase when you may feel more connected to your passions and desires and turn inwards to seek a better connection to your true, authentic self.
Mercury in Leo is the loud and proud cat, who doesn’t want to be restrained or silenced. Mercury in Leo is great for talking yourself up, showing up, writing your CV, taking centre stage and making sure your views are heard. Therefore, consider what you’re working on behind the scenes while Mercury’s on go slow? Are you brushing up your presenting skills, working on your confidence levels or rewriting your website profile?
The Mercury retrograde phase is a positive time to invite the re-words into your life: review, reassess, revise, reconsider, reflect, rework, reconnect, retreat. Here are more ways of harnessing the Mercury Retrograde planetary energy to good effect:
- leave the big decisions until Mercury turns direct
- give yourself permission to change your mind
- look at life from a fresh perspective – upside down or back-to-front, think outside of the box
- chase up old connections, reconnect with people from your past
- be patient, keep your options open
- have plans B, C and D up your sleeve, especially if you’re travelling
- be flexible and adaptable, go with the flow and see where life leads you
What’s Happening When?
Here are the Mercury Retrograde all-important dates and degrees:
- July 17: Mercury reaches 21° Leo – the shadow period begins
- August 5: Mercury turns retrograde [04 Virgo 06] – where are plans delayed, what’s not working out?
- August 15: Mercury retrogrades back into fire sign Leo – what comes to light?
- August 19: Sun conjunct Mercury retrograde cazimi 26° Leo – a moment of insight or understanding?
- August 28: Mercury turns direct [21 Leo 25] – what’s hidden emerges into the light
- September 9: Mercury returns to earth sign Virgo – where do you have a second chance?
- September 16: Mercury reaches 4° Virgo – the shadow period ends
Mercury Retrograde is a reminder that ultimately you’re not in control – life is. Yet, you can choose how you respond to events and work with the timing of astrology, so you’re in flow rather than banging your head against a brick wall.
Give into this retrograde phase, allow yourself to relax, take a step back, view life objectively and see what’s revealed. Other people might not know that the communication planet’s on go slow, but you do. Normal service will be resumed in three weeks time.
Double Trouble
I entitled this Mercury retrograde phase ‘Double Trouble’ for two reasons. Firstly, Mercury is retrograde in two different star signs, Virgo and Leo. Secondly, the major planetary aspect which dominates this Mercury retrograde phase is a clash between chaotic, unpredictable Uranus in Taurus and Mercury in Leo.
Things can go a little crazy when the planet of communication and the mind Mercury gets lead astray by live-wire Uranus. This combination is impulsive and bonkers and favours free speech and controversial opinions.
It’s a left-field combination which can be surprising and unconventional. Mercury clashed with Uranus on July 21st during the last Full Moon in Capricorn, they clash while Mercury’s retrograde on August 18th, close to the next Full Moon in Aquarius. And finally, they go crazy once again on September 7th.
This is crazy cat lady territory, brat summer terrain, independent, freedom-loving and wild at heart. It’s going to be interesting to see who or what else rocks up during this summer of discontent.
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