Mar 4, 2019
Image: The science of Mercury retrograde - clipartpanda.com
We have a Mercury retrograde commencing tomorrow in Pisces according to darkstarastrology.com. Generally though, the traditional advice with Mercury retrograde is “Don’t travel, Don’t sign contracts. Don’t marry. Don’t touch electrics!” However, the whole Mercury retrograde cycle actually lasts eight weeks and happens three times, sometimes even four times in a year! That’s a long time to hide under the duvet and a real waste of a truly magical time. Mercury generally zips between two worlds, or rather, the two hemispheres of our brain.
During the Mercury retrograde period, it feels like Mercury has gone down into the underworld. In this realm, closer to spirit, we become more right-brain orientated. It is dark, so other senses are heightened. We will feel extra sensitive here, psychic even. Everything will seem hyper-real… you will notice things you had overlooked before. This will prompt you to re-evaluate, renovate, re-form, and re-invent. It’s true you might have to redo things because Mercury will hit the same degree three times, but this transit won’t let you go into autopilot. There are danger spots though.
Mercury Retrograde March 2019
When Mercury retrograde is stationing (changing direction) we are at a wobbly stage where we are likely to slip-up, make mistakes, and misread another’s communications. Once we are over the threshold and into the Underworld, we can safely go about our business, knowing that we are in another realm. The same goes for when Mercury is stationing direct, just make sure you give your brain a few days to adjust back to solar thinking.
The house in your natal chart that the Mercury retrograde falls in will be your Underworld zone. There you will question everything. It will make you jittery about signing contracts because you will be constantly thinking, “Is this what I really want?” Before the retrograde is a good time to finish off those Solar left-brain projects and gather information to bring down with you into your retrograde cave. Then you can slow things down, let yourself be taken into other dimensions, try on different filters, experiment, shine a light on your demons, then recharge and reboot.
The Mercury Retrograde from March 6 is quite a deceptive one since it will be conjunct Neptune twice on its journey plus it is also in Pisces where it is not comfortable. Here it is slippy and accidents could happen. Another problem is the conjunction with Scheat which is associated with accidents especially in the skies, so air travel is not advised on the days when it is conjunct Scheat. Mercury does better on the fixed star Achernar and Ankaa where it is great for the study and communication of metaphysical and spiritual matters. During its voyage Mercury will also square the teacher and preacher Jupiter while he aligns with Ras Alhague at 22º Sagittarius. Mercury also can rise from the underworld at this time too with Ankaa in the phoenix.
Mercury Retrograde in Pisces Decan 3 ~ March 6 to 19
Mercury Retrograde Key Dates
February 19 Mercury enters the shadow zone at 16º Pisces
March 6 Mercury station retrograde at 29º Pisces 1.20pm EST
March 7 Mercury conjunct fixed star Scheat at 29º Pisces
March 14 Sun conjunct Mercury Retrograde at 24º Pisces
March 15 Sun/Mercury Retrograde square Jupiter at 23º Pisces/Sagittarius
On March 7 Mercury on Scheat 29º Pisces “Many accidents and narrow escapes especially by water, many enemies, trouble through writings, bad for health and domestic affairs.” “The innovator, gifted with ideas, words or rhythm; far-sighted. To be able to think outside the square. To actively seek the ‘truth’. Controversial writers and those with visionary ideas come to the fore at this time. They may even be quite ridiculed in the ‘progressive’ period we are living in. Artistic and musical people fair better because their far-out opinions become great fantasy when put on paper or canvas. At this time we can put forward innovative ideas and schemes which later become commonplace in everyday life.
A theory or art form that may well have been vilified in past times is now praised as being ‘ground-breaking’. Ideas here are really on the cutting edge of change since we are so close to the equinoctial point. Since Mars is the sole ruler of this decan, words are apt to be the cause of pain also. Mercury retrograde in this decan can lash out spitefully with its tongue without thinking, there can be a biting, sarcastic wit and much damage can come from libelous writing. Gossip reigns supreme here also. We could see raw tabloid headlines that rip a notable person to shreds. We may see libelous lawsuits and poison pen letters. Mercury at this time can make incredibly effective propaganda too because it can generate such an emotive and persuasive story.
Cazimi
Halfway through the whole Mercury retrograde 2019 journey we have Sun cazimi Mercury. Here opens a window of wonderfulness where we can stand in the eye of the hurricane but miraculously come out in one piece. Make use of the special Sun exact conjunct Mercury moment (Cazimi in traditional astrology). Send a romantic message that really hits the mark or pitch an artistic idea. Try as close to these times as you can. Cazimi at March 14 6.43pm PDT, 9.43pm EDT, March 15 1.43am GMT. (Cazimi lasts about 2.5 hours either side of the hour.)
Mercury Retrograde in Pisces Decan 2 ~ March 20 to 29
Mercury Retrograde Key Dates
March 24 Mercury Retrograde conjunct Neptune at 16º Pisces
March 28 Mercury conjunct fixed star Achernar at 15º Pisces
March 29 Mercury station direct at 16º Pisces. 8.59am EST
April 2 Mercury conjunct Neptune at 17º Pisces
April 16 Mercury leaves the shadow zone at 29º Pisces
Mercury is traditionally debilitated in this decan but it can be very spiritual especially since Neptune will be activated also. This Mercury retrograde will speak in symbols and myth, and also the language of music. The connection between mouth and intuition is as fast as quicksilver though, so it might seem at times that we are simply downloading information from the collective consciousness. Vocal style and delivery are most unusual, sometimes pretty surreal, it can be hard to grasp what people really mean, which sometimes makes them appear shifty. Mundane matters are better dealt with online than awkward face-to-face speaking. Mercury in this decan can get quite evangelical about subjects that it feels passionate. Those with a fiery disposition might have to rein themselves back from barking out sermons like a demented preacher. At the tail end of the Mercury retrograde on March 28 Mercury on Achernar gives ~ ” A worrier, with a caustic, dry wit. A person comfortable with and competing in forums and debate.” and also on Ankaa gives ~ ” An inventor, engineer, or one who brings order and structure. Being able to break something down into its smallest parts, even to destroying the original, to suddenly emerge with the solution of insight.”
Mercury Retrograde Dates 2019
March 6 to 28 ~ 29º Pisces decan 3 to 16º Pisces decan 2
July 7 to August 1 ~ 4º Leo decan 2 to 24º Cancer Decan 1.
November 2 to 21 ~ 27º Scorpio decan 2 to 11º Scorpio decan 2
The Meaning of Retrograde Planets
Retrograde planets are a popular topic in astrology and there is some controversy about the general meaning. For example, Vedic astrologers see retrograde motion as a beneficial influence, while Western astrologers focus on the negatives, such as lost baggage or missing mail when Mercury is retrograde. I prefer to interpret each retrograde phase based on the aspects and fixed stars from the beginning to the end of the retrograde cycle (the shadow zone).’Retrograde’ literally means opposite or reverse, so a planet in retrograde motion appears to be moving in reverse.
Planets do not, of course, move backward, and the apparent reverse motion is due to the elliptical orbits of the earth and planets. Regardless of the astronomy, the main point is that from where we stand, planets DO appear to move backward from time to time so we should expect this to have some astrological effect on our lives. Generally, we feel the energy of retrograde planets in a more introspective or reserved manner than usual, and there may be a karmic theme or feeling of deja vu depending on the nature of the planet.
The feeling of deja vu may also be because the retrograde planet will go over a certain degree three times over. People who experience this feeling strongest will be those who have a key planet or angle at this spot. For example; Ones IC is hit three times and you are looking to move home. Hit 1 you may see the house you want to buy. Hit 2 (Retrograde) may be when you have to go through surveys and making sure everything is fine to buy it, this will mean re-evaluating finances, whatever you have to do you are always double checking. Hit 3 maybe when you finally get the go-ahead to move and the issue is resolved. Retrogrades give us the chance to really get our teeth onto a matter because we are forced to go over old ground again and again. This may get frustrating and tedious, but ultimately it is very useful, for tackling something karmic we may have been avoiding and that we have to address once and for all.
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