Mercury Retrograde (part 1 of 2)
by Dr. Dani
Today, I want to talk about Mercury Retrograde and Mercury’s celestial mechanics. Then in part 2, tomorrow, I will dive deeper into this particular Mercury in Retrograde. Once we understand how Mercury moves from the perspective of our solar system and how that translates to a natal chart and transit chart, we can work more harmoniously with Mercury than ever before.
Mercury gains wisdom through the transfer of knowledge and information. Mercury is also a channeler and an antennae to the Akashic Record. He/She does not interpret the information for us, but simply receives and delivers the energy and knowledge of the constellation and house in which he/she dwells.
There is a conflation with Mercury retrograde and mishaps in Ptolemic Astrology. These mishaps do not occur because Mercury appears to move backwards on a transit chart. Heavens, NO! They occur because we are misusing Mercury energy during this time.
Just as we watch the solar and lunar cycles, we must watch the cycles of Mercury, Venus and all the other planets. Our ancient ancestors had this knowledge when they practiced astronomy and astrology, and so should we.
Mercury is an inner planet and, like Venus has 2 different types of conjunctions; a superior conjunction, when it is on the other side of our Sun and transiting direct on a chart, and an inferior conjunction, when it is on our side of the Sun, transiting retrograde.
The other 2 points in the Mercury cycle, between the conjunctions, are the Station Retrograde(TOMORROW) and Station Direct points. These are also called elongation points. These points are the farthest distance from the Sun on a natal or transit chart. In other words, Mercury will never be more than 18-28 (Mercury’s orbit has a wobble) degrees from the Sun on a natal chart. Let’s review where we are currently.
Here is a video for you to synthesize all the information.
Mercury direct – Sun – Earth (Superior Conjunction). The last one was 3/17/23(Pisces), and the next one is 6/30/23 (Gemini). Mercury busy receiving messages from the Sun, the source, the divine. However, during this time, humanity is without this channel for several days. Afterward, the transmitting/channeling energy begins to increase daily as Mercury approaches planet Earth. Listening phase, for humans, begins immediately afterwards.
Station retrograde (TOMORROW 4/20/23) Mercury is approaching planet Earth at the fastest speed during its orbit, even though Mercury appears stationary for a day on the transit chart. Mercury’s transmissions continue to increase. Mercury will take a quick turn today and in about 10 days, pass between Earth and the Sun, conjoining the Sun on 5/1/23. Keep listening.
Sun – Mercury retrograde – Earth (Inferior Conjunction). The next one is 5/1/23, in Aries. Transmission energy peaks and begins to shift in flow in the other direction of receiving once again. Begin to ask your questions for source, begin to set intentions for the information you want to receive after the next superior conjunction, when Mercury begins transmitting again.
Station direct on 5/14/23. Mercury is speeding away from us at the fastest speed during its orbit. Appearing stationary on the birth chart Mercury’s transmitting energy begins to ebb away. Mercury takes another turn to once again to form a superior conjunction with the Sun on 6/30/23. Trust and transmit to Mercury energy as it will be highly receptive to these energies from you.
These inflection points occur approximately every three months or every 88 days. Ever notice how your intuitive downloads are sometimes right on the money and sometimes absent, ebbing and flowing in a seasonal pattern? This is why! How it affects you personally, depends on your natal Mercury position (whether it’s direct or retrograde) and the sign transiting Mercury is located.
For Mercury cycles, it’s important to understand when to speak to spirit (when Mercury recedes from Earth after its inferior conjunction) and when to listen (when Mercury is approaching Earth after its superior conjunction). Intuitively, I feel like tropical astrologers are repeating Ptolomeic propaganda (inadvertently, for sure) that trips us up. Then we all hot and bothered about Mercury in retrograde.
I started working with Mercury cycles about 3 years ago and it shifted everything….In Part 2, tomorrow, I tell you exactly how to use the ebbing and flowing energy of Mercury for this particular Mercury retrograde.
Stay tuned, it’s so good!
In Love with the Universe,
Dr. Dani