Astrology 101: Making the Most of this Mercury Retrograde in Virgo
It’s that time again… Mercury Retrograde! If you just got frazzled at the mention of this planetary cycle, take a deep breath. Today I’m going to share my insight into the Retrograde and help you make the most of the next three weeks.
From August 20 through September 12, Mercury is retrograde at Virgo, the sign of fine-tuning. Mercury Retrograde happens three to four times per year, when the planet Mercury slows down and appears to stop and move backward. It’s an optical illusion, since there is forward movement, like speeding by a slow-moving train—as it recedes, it appears to go backward. The purpose of Mercury Retrograde is to review and revise our life and our connection with reality. In many ways, this time helps us prepare for the future by propelling us to re-align and re-evaluate our plans and ideas. Since Mercury rules communication, things most often go haywire in that area—computers go on the fritz, miscommunications abound, and the internet goes down. For example, right before my radio show yesterday, the internet went out in my house! Of course, we worked through it and the show went on, but frustrating things like this are common during the Retrograde. Communication impacts almost all areas of our lives, whether business, relationships, or health. So Mercury Retrograde can be a powerful and frustrating time.
Generally, retrograde planets present us with a series of events over which we seem to have little or no control, relating to the sign in which the retrograde occurs. For example, this Mercury Retrograde in Virgo presents different conditions from a Mercury Retrograde in Capricorn, which will happen in December. Virgo is an earth sign and often considered detail oriented, methodical, analytical, quiet, perfectionistic/critical, and work focused. So this retrograde is likely to bring up details in all areas—for example, past problems you need to reevaluate and let go of, business errors that need to be corrected, or details that need to be taken care of for the future. It’s a great time to tie up loose ends, go over things again and again, and read the fine print. It’s also important to be clear in your communication and not take any thing that’s said to you to heart. Minor frustrations may add up, especially in the work place. Delays are also common during any Mercury Retrograde—so give yourself extra time.
Ultimately, the next three weeks are time to focus on words that start with “Re”: review the details (even the small ones), reassess what’s happening in your life, relate to others in a clear manner, rest and relax (even in the midst of a frustration), and rejoice in the good fortune in your life now.
Exercise:
Review the details of your life! Take some time to journal today about everything that’s happening in your life now. What do you need to let go of? What things have you been putting off? What are you most thankful for? I also recommend doing some of the journal exercises in my book, Remembering the Future.
Create a new calming ritual for this retrograde. Perhaps you’ll commit to sitting quietly by a tree each morning or eating breakfast in bed. Or, you might decide to take a bath or go for a walk each night. Just choose something to commit to doing for the next three weeks that will help you stay grounded and at peace. If you’re “too busy” slow down, breathe. Make order in your home as a ritual exercise, breathing slowly repeating the affirmation “ all is well, all is well.” You’ll be amazed at how great you’ll feel.
And, I’d love to hear your thoughts on Mercury Retrograde. Please share them with us!
In service and love,
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I love you Colette you are so insightful. I have found that Mercury in Retrograde is very cleansing and that I actually look back on it with gratitude. I find your perspective refreshing as Mercury in Retrograde is not something to dread. : )
I sooo feel the LOVE and kindness that you sooooo often portrait…THANK You…this makes it sooooo much easier to take, understand and feel!
I’m REady for a RElease and REbirth =]
Thank you Colette.
Thank you for the wonderful article Colette. I often find Mercury Retro periods amusing and introspective. I noticed that the effect can occur +/- two weeks around the Mercury Retro start date – already this month I’ve experienced things such as rescheduling meetings, technical difficulties, revising documents, and other stuff with the prefix ‘Re’. I was born with Mercury Retro in Virgo and I was feeling not like my usual self on 20 August…my mind was somewhere else! Neptune was also at opposition on the same day. Interesting. : )
Mercury retrograde in virgo. Rather then sitting on the virgo nature of being detail oriented, to me this celestial time refers to being centered and grounded. Mercury causes all to see what is needed and what needs to be purged. I believe this is an awesome, and powerful time to clean and clear clutter from every aspect of our lives. With the influence of the stars and the divine intention of our soul, the result of letting go of what no longer serves us, can only catapult us to the next level of our divine, inspired being! Its all good, and gettin better!
I just finished an argument with my 16 year old daughter with whom communication has been hit or miss as of late. I grabbed my iPhone to set my morning alarm, and felt compelled to check facebook. As I am a follower, I read the post, and decided to check the blog. Thank you, for the insight as to why communication is a chore today. There is definately something going on for the last 3 days; I have been fighting a head cold since then, which is a rare occurence for me. It’s been years!
Thanks again for the insight. I know now what to focus on.
Bless you dear soul that you are.
Colette,
The information presented has helped me to understand that I’m falling naturally into the “re-focus” your recommending. This gives me peace of mind. I have a business that must be re-evaluated in it’s direction and felt a push to do that last week – so the ball is in motion. I have also re-ignited new choices in another business – making sure not to make the same mistakes of the past. I have also felt a desire to re-focus on my exercise…the health of my body.
I appreciate this post in that I feel more confident in my moves going forward.
Thank you Colette – for all you do and provide to us…you are a blessing.
I love you Colette , you are so super, and I am grateful to have you in my life.Thanks for all you do for all of us. I will order some cards very soon. I am a singer and gigs are a lit slow now here in Germany,
Keep looking UP!
Love Vanda
I was not familiar with Mercury Retrograde before I read this blog, but now it explains a lot! The past couple of days I started doing a lot of internal reflection and journaling about what currently is in my life and what I need to let go of or take action on to be in better alignment. In particular, I’ve been looking at addictive behaviors and possible self sabotage patterns that I’ve struggled to change. It now makes perfect sense that I had such a strong internal stirrings in these areas! Having read this blog, I feel like I truly am going through the perfect unfolding and feel much more motivated to make those changes I know in my heart would help me be more in alignment. Very cool blog. Thanks Colette!!
When Mercury goes retrograde I really feel it! I am a double Virgo with a Gemini moon all ruled by Mercury. Colette I love your advice to journal, find a slowing down ritual and then to take a look at the details of my life. Something is stirring in me, I do not know what but perhaps this will be the perfect time to find out.
Susan
Hello
Firstly Colette you are aboslutely lovely. I so enjoy listening to you. What an amazing spirit! In regards to the retrograde, I had a falling out this week with a friend who I thought I would know for the rest of my life. He seemed to be a really wonderful person and when we were together we laughed all the time. It now appears as though we will never speak to one another again. :0 I assume that the Mercury Retrograde is responsible. Any guess if things are meant to be mended between us?
Bless you sweetness.
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