Mercury retrogrades May 29th: Sifting through fog!

 

The Messenger of the Gods, otherwise known as Mercury, the planet ruling communication of all kinds turns retrograde May 29^th until June 22.  Because this retrograde occurs in Gemini, one of Mercury’s ruling signs, this will have a greater affect than other past retrogrades.

Mercury will square Neptune for the first time May 22-23rd, which is a transit fraught with confusion, lack of clarity and misinformation. Although Mercury has not yet turned retrograde, this may seem like the kick off to the retrograde. Mercury will move a couple more degrees by May 26th, but it still squares Neptune. When it does turn retrograde May 29^th (at 6:34PM, EDT) the real confusion and lack of clarity will begin, so it is important to pay attention to what is going on.

Make a mental note of what happens May 21st-23rd, on the first pass of Mercury’s square to Neptune, because the 2^nd pass occurs June 4^th-6^th. You may see reoccurring themes at this time from earlier, and there will be a third pass of this confusing aspect July 6^th after Mercury is direct. Sometimes Mercury-Neptune transits can be related to water related weather conditions, or if you visit the beach, lakes or some other shore, use caution. This can also cause melancholy or anxiety and there can be a tendency to look at things from the worst possible scenario, or alternatively you could make an unrealistic assessment of things. This will be a key time to keep your feet planted firmly on the ground. We will hear many confusing stories and scenarios and it can be a transit of propaganda!

Retrograde Mercury is not part of a cosmic plan to upset, delay or screw things up. Rather, this is part of the natural cycle intended to be a time of reflecting and re-doing things that need our attention. Even though it can be maddening at times, if you keep this perspective you can make the most of this three week cycle that occurs 3-4 times a year. Relax as much as you can and focus on finishing up projects or fixing what needs to be fixed and you can make good use of this time.

Retrograde Mercury is not the time to buy big ticket items, get married or engaged, have plastic or elective surgery or start new projects if you can help it. If you do buy expensive items or start new projects there is a very strong chance you will not be pleased, or something will change in the future.

At times information you need to proceed forward may be revealed on retrograde Mercury. This period is also associated with the past, people from the past, and even business ventures related to the past. Old clients may come back along with old friends and in rare instances old lovers. Of course, exes are usually exes for a reason, but not every case. You may enjoy many lovely trips down memory lane over this next three week period.

Patience may be required during this retrograde period for the best results. Don’t make a rush to judgment as you may regret it later. Machinery, cars, coffee pots and washing machines (among other things) may break down but if this is the case there was a problem with it anyway. Communication may slow down along with sales or other things. Pay attention to your communication, and take nothing for granted in terms of expecting others to know or not know what you are doing. In the long run there is a point to all of this, and you may not even know the point until after Mercury turns direct. If delays occur there may be a greater purpose to it than what you know in the moment. It’s not a bad idea to keep notes or a diary as to what happens during the retrograde. When it is over, you may see many things in a different light than what you did before the retrograde.