Mercury Retrograde – August 2017
August 12th through September 5th
by Ruby

Sometimes the Universe gives us a break even if it doesn’t always feel that way. One thing the cosmos always does is create balance. So the energies get slowed down a bit so we have the opportunity to catch up. Mercury in Retrograde is that time out, it’s the chance to get caught up with life, it’s time to get unplugged, and take a long deep breath. It’s a good time to take time off from work if at all possible and focus on reworking what needs to be completed, and no the Universe doesn’t care if you have a deadline, or when it’s time to slow down and unplug, it simply just is.

Mercury rules the lower-mind or individual (finite) mind and its energies, so when it’s in a Retrograde cycle we tend to perceive things in a very different way.

Mercury in Retrograde, like all Retrograde plants, is happening for a reason, this isn’t some new astrological fad. Planets have always gone into Retrograde and will continue to do so. So every once in awhile we get a chance to pause or stop and get some rest. This is the time to review your life and the paths you’re on. What this Mercury in Retrogrades cycle does help us to breathe, be still, relax, and review. The main thing to know as this energy comes in is that it’s time to review your life and redo anything that needs to be done. It is time to re-search, re-think, re-visit, re-connect, and to get re-organized.

What Not To Do during
Mercury in Retrograde:

– Don’t start brand new projects
– Do not get into arguments, avoid critical folks and tense people or situations.
– Do Not Sign Contracts or New Agreements
– Avoid Travel
– Do Not take misunderstandings personal. Our communication is foggy and clouded.

What To do during
Mercury in Retrograde:

– Redo, Rework, Review, Research, so basically go over things again and wrap up old business and projects.
– Double Check the Facts and all the info you come by.
– Revisit what you need to, like your work.
– Reconnect with the folks that matter if you’ve had issues or not.
– Backup Computers and any data you want to keep saved, usually start this process two weeks prior to the actual Retro Cycle.
– Reorganize your daily life routines.
– Declutter.
– Reflect and practice spiritual work.
– Release what’s been holding you back or blocking you, let go of what no longer is working especially in your intimate relationships.

~What’s Positive During Mercury in Retrograde?
There can be positive effects to your life from Mercury in Retrograde that we just didn’t think about before. Like throwing out the old and organizing our lives. Focus on any past opportunities and reconsider them and see if they are still an option. We may just have to work around all the computer glitches and electronic snafus while doing so. It’s important to understand we don’t have to stop all our projects during the Mercury in Rx cycle. But it’s not an ideal time to start new ventures or to sign contracts, simply because for one reason or another we end up usually changing our mind once Mercury turns direct, or goes back to normal. However, it can be a great time to do some “outside of the box” thinking. It’s just best not to ACT until after Mercury is back to its normal pace. But if you can get something done in a different or unique way, go for it!

~With Mercury Retrograde in Virgo:
This time around our focus should be on re-organizing and reflecting. We see the world differently during this time and through these filters, we can have some very important inner-revelations. With Mercury in Rx it’s a good time to look at past decisions and ideas from a new enlightened perspective, but remember we can be especially analytical and critical, perhaps too much with Mercury in the sign of Virgo through the 31st.

Even though we may be especially stubborn or impatient. Lots of folks will end up returning to old projects and end up redoing, refining, and tweaking them. You may feel stuck in the past in some way while Mercury is Retrograde in Virgo, but you can find old or past ideas to be more useful now, so use them in new ways if you can make yourself move forward. This is a great time to review recent financial matters or work and discover mistakes or oversights. Plans or routines may be reconsidered in ways that can benefit you.

Mercury Rx is also a powerful time to study, particularly for returning to old studies and re-learning or refreshing knowledge around subjects that have already been taken.

This Mercury in Retrograde cycle can also help you think back to a part of your recent past and help you reconnect to an old dream or goal to follow through on. Someone from your past might get a hold of you for a second chance or opportunity, but that doesn’t mean it’s meant to be, usually, it doesn’t work out for the long-run. Because we are perceiving things in a different way and the truth tends to come out, and you just might notice or find some kind of detail you overlooked or didn’t catch before. This cycle can bring clarity and help you remove the restrictions or blocks that are in your way from achieving happiness.

It may not be as easy to communicate under this influence, but remember to try not to rationalize everything, which can prove difficult due to this particular Mercury in Retro being in analytical Virgo. Mercury Rx periods can be times of heightened inner-awareness, so might I suggest getting more involved in practices like meditation, keeping a journal, reworking old plans, reviewing or working on any activities involving your past. And this all can be quite helpful as it keeps your mind more focused and in the right space.

We can get a lot out of renewing our old self-care, health, or fitness programs. Plans are going to be thought about and then dropped rather quickly during this time, so be flexible to changes, as it just comes with the territory. This is a good time to reevaluate our routines and habits, as well as the meaning around what we do for a living, so around our work and any services we provide with Mercury in Virgo.

~Mercury Retrograde in Leo:
Mercury will switch signs into Leo, during its Retrograde phase starting August 31st through September 5th, this is a time for learning or relearning what we love doing. Look back and analyze your past romantic relationships or creative projects. It’s also a time for preparation, rehearsal, and redoing things. It especially can be a good time for role playing something before you actually say or do it!

~Mercury in Rx transits the Sun:
Retrograde Mercury is aligned with the Sun in Virgo on August 26th, this placement lights up our thinking. This connection makes for a favorable time for processing recent ideas or events, and for looking at past problems or issues from a new perspective with a new understanding. Remember what we say or write during this time can have more of an impact for better or worse! There can some amazing new ideas that come through during this time, so be creative!

Mercury will start retracing its steps and go into direct motion on September 5th, this period of time is called the “Shadow” phase and that ends on Sept.19th.

What’s also interesting to note is that Mercury returns to 28 degrees Leo before moving direct again, and this is exactly the same position of the “Solar Eclipse” on August 21st. Retrograde Mercury is also aligned with Mars at this Eclipse point on September 2nd and 3rd, those days are going to be significant, but I will have more on this later.
~Ruby
#rubysreadings