In the Heart of the Sun

Mercury Retrograde, Explained:

Mercury’s orbit around the sun is approximately 88 days. It is the quickest moving planet, with the most variability in speed and direction. 3 times a year, Mercury turns retrograde- appearing to move backward through the zodiac from our vantage point on Earth. The apparent motion of this quick-moving planet can bring confusion, delays and misunderstandings.

Mercury is the messenger of the planets- delivering information from the underworld to the heavens, and everywhere in between. Ruling all things related to communication, technology and transportation, Mercury’s retrograde cycle can make all of these areas of life go haywire.

Mercury’s Journey through Pisces:

Tomorrow marks the halfway point of Mercury’s retrograde cycle, as it enters the heart of the Sun at 6°55’ Pisces. Mercury is purified and reborn as it passes through the Sun, and for a moment, we have access to insight and clarity.

Mercury’s journey through Pisces has been, and may continue to be, an emotional one. Pisces is sensitive, empathic, and spiritual. Mercury in Pisces has a difficulty staying grounded in the present moment- it is often nostalgic for the past, or looking forward to the ideal. Deeply intuitive, Pisces picks up on the psychic vibes from its environment. If you have felt especially emotional or ungrounded the last couple of weeks, take note of who and what is around you- what you are feeling may not even belong to you.

While tomorrow is a turning point, we still have 2 weeks until Mercury stations to go direct at 28°12 Aquarius.

Mercury Retrograde Checklist:

-Stay patient and flexible: give yourself plenty of time to get to where you need to go, and assume everyone else will be running late.

-Check in with how you are feeling: and cleanse your energetic body as needed- epsom salt baths, burning sage, spending time near water…

-Revisit old projects, meditate, journal, engage in anything that reconnects you with your creative self.

-Practice non-attachment: you have little to no control over most things in life, and the less you try to control, the more likely you will get through this moment as unscathed as possible.

-Remember that everything is temporary. Everything.

Dazed and Confused

Why does it feel like Mercury is still retrograde? Confusion, lack of clarity, difficulty articulating thoughts…

Mercury is still in Pisces- and will be there for another week. It’s cleaning up the mess its made since the beginning of February.

If this retrograde has been extremely difficult for you (it’s been harder for me than other retrogrades), it may be partially due to the fact that Mercury in Pisces operates in a very non-linear, abstract way. Mercury represents the mind. It is the quickest planet orbiting the Sun, and is the most variable in terms of speed and direction. Mercury is quick, intellectual, and likes to gather information. Mercury is a symbol of our cognitive process- it is how we think, process information, communicate and express ourselves.

But Mercury doesn’t do so well in a sign like Pisces. In traditional astrology, the Sun and Moon our two luminaries, rule the signs Cancer and Leo. Moving outwards from those signs, Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo, Venus rules Taurus and Libra, Mars rules Aries and Scorpio, Jupiter rules Sagittarius and Pisces, and, finally, Saturn rules Capricorn and Aquarius.

When Mercury is in Gemini or Virgo, it is considered to be in its domicile- it is familiar and understands the energy well. Pisces is the polarity (or opposite) of Virgo. Mercury in Virgo is discerning, discriminating, critical, and detail-oriented. As you can imagine, Mercury in its opposite sign, Pisces, is non-linear, abstract, and impractical.

If you happen to know your natal placement of Mercury, you may better understand why this transit has felt especially confusing. Pisces is a water sign- it is yin, receptive and intuitive. All of the yang signs are expressive, action-oriented, and move energy outwards. The yang signs of the zodiac are: Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, and Aquarius. If Mercury was in any of those signs at the time of your birth, then your mind may have a more challenging time understanding thee watery, fluid energy of Pisces.

Look up your natal Mercury if you don’t already know it! There are several websites that will calculate your birth chart by simply entering your date of birth, location, and time of birth- if you know it.

Regardless of your own personal placement, this Mercury retrograde has been one of the most challenging ones for me personally, and for those close to me.

Hang tight though! Mercury moves into Aries in just one week!