Mercury Retrograde

Hey Soul Fam!

This week during Thankful Thursday we discussed Mercury Retrograde and what that means for us. Our first Mercury Rx of the year is steadily approaching, and we have been in the shadow phase for a couple of weeks now. In 2021, Mercury rx will affect us during the following ranges of dates: January 30 until February 21. May 29 to June 22. September 27 to October 23. Keep in mind that we have a pre-shadow phase and a post-shadow phase, which both last about 2 weeks each.

A few days before Mercury rx, the internet overflows with articles about how everyone should mentally brace themselves for a host of cellphone malfunctions, computer crashes, delayed flights, lost reservations, lost emails and a bunch of other technological and communication-related horrors. This inevitably causes this collective panic to occur, urging people to consider spending the next three weeks hidden under their desks. The irony of this is, Mercury does in fact love to stir up a bit of stress while he’s retrograde, so the overreaction and panic in advance does half the job for him.

Astrologically and astronomically, a retrograde is defined as when a planet appears to move backwards in its orbit. The planet is not actually going backwards—it only appears this way because of our vantage point from earth. Mercury is always moving forward though, it is only that see it otherwise from our perspective. In astrology, when a planet is retrograde, it is a call for us to look within and focus more on our own inner world. It is a time where we slow the fuck down! Personally, I like to call Mercury rx the "re" retrograde as it will cause one to: rest, relax, reassess, rediscover, revise, re-edit, reconnect, reflect, recommunicate, retreat, re-do, re-think, retrace, revisit, reappear, repair, renegotiate, reconsider, reschedule, release... you get the point. It's really a time to just slow down and think, work through old issues, resolve the cycles that reappear, and release.

So, how do you survive Mercury rx? Here’s some tips.

Remember that you are in control. Astrology, like everything else in this world, is all about energy. This just means that the impact of a planetary event will be proportionate to how much power you choose to give it. If you are so ready to blame all troubles and inconveniences on Mercury rx, it's likely that you will experience more of them. Remember that you are the master of your own universe.

Watch what you say and type. In astrology, Mercury is the planet that rules communication, logic and reasoning. This Mercury rx is also in the sign of Aquarius, and air signs are known for communication. That being said, Mercury the planet of communication will be moving backward through a sign of communication, which just means that many of us will have issues with communicating. This is not the time to be gossiping, writing risky emails or texts, or being dismissive in your communications. Be honest, straight forward and don't write or say anything that you wouldn't want to be repeated, if you want to survive! Since communication is greatly affected, try having difficult conversations in person instead. Text messages and emails can be read without tone or context - and can be misinterpreted. So try and arrange difficult conversations or detailed conversations to be had in person. Take notes if you need to.

Be patient with yourself and everyone else. Do not be quick to blame minor inconveniences on Mercury rx and try to remember to have patience. If things are a little crazier than usual, it will not help to get angry or frustrated. Just understand that things don't always go to planned and that’s ok.

Remember to keep perspective at this time. Remember to always keep perspective. So much of our external world is affected by our internal world (think of as above, so below). That being said, when we choose to think negatively about our experiences, we attract more of that energy towards us. That is just the way energy works by the law of attraction. Try not to open yourself up to negative energy by thinking negative thoughts! The more you choose to stay in negative energy, the more you will perceive the energy around you in a negative light. Choose to stay positive no matter what!

Make sure your vehicle is in good working order BEFORE Mercury rx takes effect. Check the tires. Check the oil. Check the engine. Check your antifreeze. Check the water levels. Get your car together because Mercury rx tends to affect machinery of all types. Things are known to break down during this period, and if you want to avoid that, it’s best to make sure everything in in working order before the retrograde period begins.

Allow for extra time whenever you are traveling anywhere. Taking a flight? Do you commute on a daily basis? Do you drive everywhere you go? Give yourself more driving time if you're going away for the weekend. Give yourself more traveling time when you leave the house period. During Mercury rx, mass transit tends to slow down, be delayed, or break down all together. That being said, there is a higher probability of being late during a Mercury rx. It would be to your benefit if you gave yourself an extra 15-20 minutes just in case delays occur.

Do not start working on assignments or projects last minute. Are you currently working on a big project? Do you have to send through an assignment? Do you have tasks that you have to complete in an allotted time schedule? It would be a good idea to allow yourself a little extra time to send or complete tasks. Don't start your assignment the night before it's due as delays are likely to occur.

Do not start anything new. Do not launch a new business, website, or campaign. Do not start a new job. Do not start a new program. During this time, do not start ANYTHING new. There is a very good chance during this period that things get crossed, and deals fall through. This is not a good time to start anything new, but if you are completing something at this time that was started before Mercury rx took to its pre-shadow phase, then completing it is fine.

Do not allow your ex's and past cycles with people to reemerge. During this time, it is pretty well known that people from your past tend to reappear. DO not allow this energy back in at this time. Take this time to instead reassess why this cycle needed or needs to end. If you have yet to close out cycles with people, this is the perfect time to do so.

Do not sign important contracts or documents of any kind. Do not look for a new house or apartment. Do not sign a lease. The same rule applies to this one as well. Do not sign shit that you did not start before Mercury went into its pre-shadow phase. If you have been looking for months, and are just resolving it, then that is fine.

Do not purchase new technology, especially expensive kinds. That means do not buy computers, cameras, cars, or anything else that is expensive during this time. There is a very good chance that things will break or break down during this time.

Do not go on a first date or attempt to begin a relationship. This is not an opportune time to try to go on first dates or establish a relationship with someone. With communication being an area here that is boldly highlighted, miscommunications are bound to happen.

Do not make major changes to your appearance- like a drastic haircut, plastic surgery, or even going to the dentist. Now is not the time to be making any drastic changes of any kind. It is also not an opportune time for surgery of any kind.

January 2021 Mercury Retrograde in Aquarius

Please note that this calendar begins on a Monday Mercury Retrograde Calendar, January to April 2021. The first Mercury Retrograde of 2021 begins with the Pre-Shadow in Aquarius on January 15, 2021 at approx. 7:54 am Universal Time*, 2:54 am EST, 11:54 pm PST, on January 14. Mercury goes Retrograde in Aquarius (26º 29") on January 30 at 3:52 pm Universal Time, 10:52 am EST and 7:52 PST. The Direct Station occurs in Aquarius (11º 01') on February 21, at 12:52 am Universal Time, and on February 20 at 7:52 pm EST and 4:52 pm PST. Mercury ends the Post-Shadow on March 13 in Aquarius at 5:08 am Universal Time, 12:08 am EST and 9:08 pm PST on March 12.

The previous Retrograde in Aquarius occured in January of 2015 and 2016.

May 2021 Mercury Retrograde in Gemini

Mercury Retrograde Calendar, May to August 2021. The second Mercury Retrograde of 2021 begins with the Pre-Shadow in Gemini on May 15 at approx. 12:28 am Universal Time*, 8:28 pm EDT, and 5:28 pm PDT on May 14. Mercury goes Retrograde in Gemini (24º 43") on May 29 at 10:34 pm Universal Time, 6:34 am EDT and 3:34 pm PDT. The Direct Station occurs in Gemini (16º 08') on June 22, at 10:00 pm Universal Time, 6:00 pm EDT and 3:00 pm PDT. Mercury ends the Post-Shadow ends in Cancer on July 7, at 5:45 pm Universal Time, 1:45 pm EDT, 10:45 am PDT.

The previous Retrograde in Gemini occured in May of 2015.

September 2021 Mercury Retrograde in Libra

The last Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio occurred in October of 2014. This year it introduces the US elections in November. Mercury Retrograde Calendar, September to December 2020. The last Mercury Retrograde of 2021 begins the Pre-Shadow in Libra on September 6 at 8:05 pm Universal Time*, 4:05 pm EDT, 1:05 pm PDT. Mercury goes Retrograde in Libra (25º 28") on September 27 at 5:10 am Universal Time, 1:10 am EDT and 10:10 pm PDT on September 26. The Direct Station occurs in Libra on October 18 3:17 pm Universal Time, 11:17 pm EDT and 8:17 am PDT. Mercury ends the Post-Shadow in Libra on November 3 1:07 am Universal Time, 9:07 pm EDT and 6:07 pm PDT.

The previous Retrograde in Libra occurred in September of 2015.

For a full look at the retrograde calendar and what it all means, you can go here:

www.astrologyhoroscopereadings.com/2021-mercury-retrograde-calendar.html

I hope these tips help you out Soul Fam, until next week! Sending mucho luz + amor always.

XoXo,

Luna Estrellas