Whether you’re into astrology or not, you have heard about Mercury Retrograde. Love it or hate it, it’s a part of our year…three times. On Monday the 25th our beloved planet of communication goes retrograde for the 3rd and final time of 2024 (thank goodness). Retrogrades are about the pause. REst, REevaluate, REview, REcover, etc..
The Science
According to the Planetary Society: “When we say that a planet is in retrograde it means that from the perspective of Earth, a planet’s motion across the sky goes backwards night after night compared to its usual direction for a period of time. This happens when Earth overtakes a slower-moving planet in its orbit around the Sun, or is overtaken by a faster-moving planet. Retrograde motion is technically called “apparent retrograde motion” since it’s not an actual change in the planet’s motion through space, but rather an effect caused by our perspective from Earth.”
The Astrology
It happens in the sign of Sagittarius. First, check where Sag is located in your birth chart. This will give you insight to the flavor of energy that is coming up for review. For Gemini Rising, it is our 7th house of relationships/partnerships. I am an armchair astrologer at best, so head to chaninicholas.com. This is a great place to understand and gain insight into retrograde astrology and your birth chart.
The Impact
Many of us have fractious relationships with a Mercury RX. Delayed travel, technology or electronics not working properly and the miscommunication, well…
Our Role in Retrograde
This season, I truly feel this retrograde will be a pivotal point in our energy, missions, and what we bring forth next year. Listen, we can be at the mercy of the energies and let it dictate our emotions or moods OR we can harness this energy to work to our advantage. After all, that is the gift of a retrograde.
This time we are being asked to examine our lives differently. Deep connections to our hearts and souls are necessary to be resilient in the next (four) years. I feel we are also being asked to be mindful of when we allow time to connect to our creativity. It helps us keep balance. We often get stuck in our heads to figure life out, to move forward and build and work; getting ahead of ourselves, just like our dear Mercury. We so often forget to take a breath and balance that forward motion with the creative pause. Retrogrades are a gift of a purposeful pause on all the mental gymnastics to rebalance and prioritize what the next phase is about.
Journal Prompts
Whether it be journaling or voice notes or however you discover perspective, here are some suggestions of what to consider:
- What house is Mercury Rx happening in your chart?
- How do you relate to that house?
- What is your trajectory in life, work, and relationships?
- Does it still fit within your heart the same way?
- What were the things you wanted to avoid this year?
- Where have you grown this year?
- What successes have you had? Or do you need to redefine success?
- What does your heart yearn for?
- What shifts can you make to connect you back to your path? Or is it time to walk a new one?
Finding Calm in the Chaos
Many moons ago I recorded a mediation for the retrogrades. It’s an oldie, but still very effective.
Final thoughts
Loves, please give yourself the gift of patience and even compassion. And offer others a whole love of grace. Seek places where you can hold that for yourself or have others hold that space. It’s how we make it through.
Sending you all my love and deep kindness
XO, g