In Brief

• The Facts:

  Mercury retrograde is known for the problematic effects it often has on communication technology, transactions, motor vehicles, anything with moving parts, and commuting in general. Mercury began the latest edition of its retrograde process today.

• Reflect On:

  How you can use this time to tap into the deeper purpose of Mercury retrograde discussed in this article.

Mercury began the latest edition of its retrograde process on July 25th/26th, which will last until August 18th/19th. In the weeks and especially days leading up to it, known as the ‘pre-shadow period’, we start to notice its influence as Mercury slows down and comes to a stop before moving the other way. This specific retrograde is happening during Mars Retrograde and during eclipse season with a very potent Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius occurring less than 2 days after this retrograde begins. You can find my content about those here.

If you have read my previous Mercury retrograde articles, the first two sections of this article are nearly the same and you can skip to the third section if you don’t want to re-read all the general themes associated with these periods. The other sections are more specific to this edition of it.

Mercury retrograde is known for the problematic effects it often has on communication technology, transactions, motor vehicles, anything with moving parts, and commuting in general. Some people even get headaches near the beginning of it. We could experience some challenges, misunderstandings, and errors around our communications, numbers/details, and commerce, as well as changes, cancellations, or delays in our schedules. We may also feel more challenged when we are doing excessive analytical work without using our internal guidance.

Although there is a higher probability of experiencing more of these problems during this time, they won’t necessarily apply to every situation. Some people may not notice these energies as much, depending on what types of things they are doing and how the astrology is playing out unique to the person’s astrological blueprint.

Mercury Retrograde can also be a good time to revisit or redo tasks, projects, ideas, or anything else that was initiated in the past. It can give us a different perspective or shift in thinking that can help us to approach these things in ways we wouldn’t have done so before. This may also be a period of reconnecting with old friends, family, sometimes lovers, or others you haven’t seen in a while.

The Deeper Purpose of Mercury Retrograde

Ultimately, Mercury Retrograde is a time for us to recalibrate our minds and certain areas of our lives. It is a period in which we may receive important insights and see things in a new light. In most cases it can be mildly transformational, but in some cases it can facilitate more major transformations depending on how it corresponds to your personal astrological chart.

During and following the retrograde, certain areas of our lives can go through changes or shifts, or we can experience a reorientation of some sort. In the 2 weeks afterwards, known as the ‘post-shadow’ period, we move forward with some sort of new awareness and adjustment.

The things that you have been doing or circumstances in the two to three weeks leading up to this period could determine how and where this energy plays out. It is also possible that there could have been changes put in place at that time which may go through a sorting out process during this time. Perhaps in that period there could have been unknown variables, both positive and negative, that were either unseen or hadn’t been conceived yet, which may become apparent over the coming weeks.

The sign(s) and element(s) in which Mercury retrograde travels shows the energy we are re-orienting ourselves with. Also, to go with that, if you are more familiar with your natal astrology chart, your house(s) or any planetary placements being affected will show more specifically what areas of life you will be experiencing its energy in. For the astrologically literate, it began at 23 degrees of Leo and will retrograde all the way to 11 degrees of the same sign, before turning forward again.

This One Is Occurring In Leo, Part of A Series In Fire Signs

Mercury retrograde always occurs in one element for more than a year. It is currently occurring in the Fire element which is about passion, creativity, instinct, inspiration, assertiveness, courage, confidence, and spirit.

This Fire period is about re-aligning ourselves with these themes and expressing them in new or revamped ways. This ‘Fire process’ began in the spring of 2017 as it was transitioning out of Earth signs, with the first Mercury Retrograde to be completely in Fire occurring last December.

This one is more specific to a reorientation around Leo themes, which is about heart centred self-expression, creativity, radiating love, and influence. It is the performer, the leader, the creator, and seeks to find joy in expressing itself in those ways. It is about vitality and also rules children, fun, and romance. It can be courageous and generous.

Expressed negatively, Leo energy can also be egotistical, dramatic, and demanding of attention or respect. This sign at its highest expression is about shining in our own authentic way and inspiring others. The North Node, the next Solar Eclipse (and previous eclipses) are also in Leo which emphasizes a push towards the themes of this sign.

Mercury Retrograde Square Jupiter In Scorpio

One of the most prominent aspects of this specific Mercury retrograde is its square with Jupiter in Scorpio. Jupiter recently began moving forward on July 10th after being retrograde since March 8th. Since then, we may have begun to move forward with Jupiter themes which could include education, travel, exploration, beliefs, or anything to do with marketing, publishing.

With Mercury retrograde in a square to Jupiter, some of the Leo related adjustments could be connected to any of these things. For example, we could be sorting out some of this stuff or making plans, adjustments. Perhaps following your hearts desires around travel, education to help you be a better leader in your field, or using your creative expression for marketing or publishing. These are just some examples. We need to be cautious that this aspect can also make us scattered and more easily overlook details. However, it can also be a time of tremendous learning which can aid in the insightful process of Mercury retrograde.

Mercury Retrograde Timeline

*Below, are some of the dates and information for some of the major astrological configurations during this retrograde.

Earlier dates are for those in Western part of the world and later dates for those in the East.

July 25th/26th – Mercury begins its retrograde at 5:03 am on July 26th Universal Time. The days surrounding this period are a time in which complications may be amplified, but you may also start to get a better sense of the themes for you which may have been building up since July 7th.

July 27th/28th – Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius conjunct Mars and Square Uranus. This is a bit of an intense eclipse which could come with surprises, anger, impulsive or rebellious actions, or perhaps things breaking apart. At best it can be liberating. However, not everyone will notice its energies right away, and parts of it it could even manifest in the weeks/months following. Some of the stuff connected to this eclipse could be about letting go of what is not serving us to help us step more into the Leo energies that we need to embody more as pointed out by Mercury, the North Node, and next Solar Eclipse.

August 1st/2nd – Mars retrograde square Uranus. We may notice the Lunar eclipse energies mentioned above very strongly at this time.

August 4th/5th – Mercury quincunx Pluto. Circumstances around power, control, desires, deep issues, secrets, or shadow qualities of ourselves or others may create challenges at this time.

August 7th/8th – Uranus goes retrograde. The weeks surrounding when Uranus goes retrograde is when we notice its energies the most, and especially in this case with the Lunar Eclipse and Mars triggering it. Issues and developments surrounding originality, freedom, innovation, technology,  along with some of the stuff mentioned above are strong at this time. Instability can also be a theme for some. It is in Taurus so we may notice some these energies or perhaps other shifts around possessions, money, physical things, food, and values.

August 8th/9th – Mercury conjunct the Sun, with Moon in Cancer forming a grand trine with Jupiter and Neptune. This is that halfway point of Mercury retrograde and can be a period of increased insights yet complications can also be stronger at this time depending on how you are applying yourself. Ideas and thoughts that are seeded now may develop over the coming months. This can be a time of heightened intuition, compassion, increased passion, emotional connection, spiritual growth, and expansive developments.

August 9th/10th– Mercury quincunx Neptune. Confusion, delusion, deception, flakiness, and in some cases tiredness or lack of energy may create challenges at this time.

August 10th-12th – Solar Eclipse in Leo conjunct Mercury, both Square Jupiter. The energies of this eclipse accentuates the Leo themes and ‘Mercury square Jupiter’ themes mentioned earlier in this article. The effects of Solar Eclipses influence the following 6 months, however, we have been experiencing Leo eclipses since last year and has been almost a process lasts in a total of more than 1.5 years.

August 18th-20th – Mercury sextile Venus, Jupiter Trine Neptune, and Mercury Goes Direct. Mercury ends its retrograde with a few pleasant aspects happening simultaneously.  Firstly, Mercury is in a sextile with Venus in Libra which excellent for developments or enjoyable occurrences around relationships, love, social lives, money, creative expression, or any aesthetic applications. Jupiter is in a sextile with Neptune which has been building up in the week leading up to this and is still present in the week following. This may accentuate the creative energies of Leo, and also has similar themes previously mentioned under ‘August 8th/9th’. With Mercury beginning to move forward now and Mars also ending its retrograde 8 days later, things will begin to move more smoothly and with greater clarity over the coming weeks.