What is Mercury retrograde?

Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, taking about 88 days to complete its orbit. About 3 times a year, Mercury turns retrograde, or appears to move backwards from our vantage point on Earth. Mercury is not actually moving backwards, but it is the apparent movement we observe against the backdrop of fixed stars that creates this visual illusion.

Mercury rules things that move quickly- technology, travel, and communication. Mercury is also a symbol of the mind. As this fast-moving planet slows down and appears to move backwards, it is a time to reprocess and review the emotional content and landscape of the last few weeks. Repeating, reassessing, reevaluating, redoing…are all things that may surface during any Mercury retrograde.

From July 7 to 31, Mercury will appear to move from 4º28’ Leo to 23º57’ Cancer. During this part of Mercury’s orbit, it will be at its closest to Earth until the next retrograde cycle in October. When a planet moves closer to Earth, and therefore farther away from the sun, its energy can become louder and more intense.

Mercury in the signs:

Mercury will be retracing its steps in the signs of Leo and Cancer. Mercury in Leo is charismatic, charming and performative. In Leo, Mercury expresses itself creatively, passionately and courageously. Mercury in Cancer is reserved, intuitive, and cautious. In Cancer, Mercury is sensitive, emotionally intelligent, and expresses itself subjectively.

Mercury’s journey in the sky:

Mercury will appear to stop at 4º28’ Leo this Sunday, July 7. It will move backwards through the first degrees of Leo until it reaches Cancer on July 19. From July 19 through 31, Mercury will back up all the way to 23º57’ Cancer, where it will then begin to move forward again. It isn’t until August 14 that Mercury returns to 4º28’ Leo- where it is stationing to go retrograde in 2 days.

What does this mean?

Anytime a planet turns retrograde, its energy moves inward. As a symbol of the mind, when Mercury turns retrograde, so do our mental processes. This is not a time to fear, but instead a time to practice patience, awareness and intention. To remember that not taking action is a form of action. To remember that our reality is based on our limited and biased perception. And to remember that we can only control our attitude and response to others.

We are in between eclipses, and as the energy builds to the total lunar eclipse taking place on July 16, give yourself permission to slow down, and practice radical self-love!

The Dream Space

Every day the Sun, Moon and planetary bodies are all moving and expressing various energies. The Sun represents our pure consciousness- it is where our attention is. In the sign of Aries, our attention and awareness is on our self and our identity.

However, the next few days will combine not just the energy of the Sun in Aries, but the energies of the Moon, Mercury, Venus and Neptune all in the sign of Pisces. Mercury stationed direct last Thursday after its 3-week retrograde, and will remain in its shadow period until April 16. As Mercury stations direct it hovers at a particular degree point- and at the moment it is in line with Neptune, the planet of illusion and unreality. As Mercury begins to pick up speed this week things will slowly begin to reveal themselves.

In addition to Mercury and Neptune- Venus and the Moon are also in Pisces. Venus entered Pisces last week and will remain there until April 20. While Venus is in Pisces, the energy is one of unconditional love: intuitive, non-linear, and devotional love. This love can lack boundaries and can be self-sacrificing, but it is a space of deep compassion and empathy.

Wherever the Moon is, that is where our emotional awareness is. The Moon in Pisces brings feelings of romance, sensitivity and tenderness. The Moon will only be in Pisces until Wednesday night- but with all of the other planetary energy in this sign, emotions can run deep.

This is a time of patience, of slowing down, and treating others with kindness. Things may still feel fuzzy, confusing, or uncertain… but this will all pass. Be with your feelings, let them pass through you, and breathe deeply.