MERCURY began its second RETROGRADE journey for 2021 on Saturday, May 29th, at 6:34 PM EDT ... if you've been following my blogs, then you know exactly what to expect during a Mercury Retrograde … as always - EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!!! ... It is very important to understand that planetary retrogrades are NOT ALWAYS the harbingers of doom and gloom ... even though it is true they can cause disruption and misunderstandings, we have to realize these are simply Universal "time outs" which give us the opportunity to drop back and rethink and review our actions being generated by the planet which is retrograde, especially as the energy relates to the sign and house in ones natal chart that planet is currently transiting through ... bottom line - though we often joke about it, retrogrades shouldn't always be feared and dreaded but perhaps approached cautiously ... the Universe is giving us a chance to right our wrongs and redirect ourselves to achieve more beneficial personal and spiritual growth !!!
Some of you may have noticed the backward energy beginning to make itself apparent already as Mercury entered its shadow point - the point where it will come out of the retrograde on June 22nd - back on May 14th when it reached 16 degrees 7 minutes of Gemini ... it practically goes without saying that things somehow just don't seem to go right or as we planned, and we often find ourselves RE-DOING things especially after Mercury stations back into direct motion ... of course it is not unusual to have people from our past come back around but it usually ends up being for only what I refer to as a "pass and review" ... obviously there is always the chance that something done within a previous Mercury retrograde may come back to "bite" us and require that we address the issue and resolve it !!!
This second Mercury retrograde for 2021 is completely in the sign of Gemini ... so it would be a good bet that this one could become especially trying and aggravating as Gemini is naturally ruled by Mercury and rules, among other things, communications and transportation which is always a main target for Mercury retrograde energy anyway !!! ... this Mercury retrograde will go from 24 degrees 43 minutes Gemini back to 16 degrees 7 minutes Gemini ... Mercury was last completely retrograde in Gemini from May 18th through June 11th, 2015 going from 13 degrees 9 minutes Gemini back to 4 degrees 34 minutes Gemini ... it was also completely retrograde in Gemini from May 26th through June 19th, 2008 - anything come to mind in regards to this backwards energy during those periods ???
During a Mercury retrograde period it can be said that we are in a mental "down time" and often things will not register on a conscious level with us ... it is said that the use of Mercury retrograde cycles are to reconnect the individual with the Universal rhythm and get back in sync with it ... if you've had a natal chart done and know in which house or houses this sign and degrees fall, then you will probably get an idea of where in life the Universe is asking you to step back and take a closer look at what you are doing in that area of your life especially in regard to your mental processing and communicating ... it's where issues most often will arise for you in addition to the other general issues that can annoy everyone during the retrograde period !!!
"Here is your Survival manual: Mercury retro always creates a repeating action. The Re-Words are common. Some re-words that you will notice during this time are:
Repeat – The action you are making during the RX period you will probably repeat again during the period or later.
Repair – The need for repair will arise. If possible, put if off until Mercury turns direct (June 22nd).
Reverse - You will be amazed at how many times you change your mind or reverse your thinking during this time. Watch out for that race car driver that is driving in reverse down the emergency lane on the freeway. Yikes!....
Recall - Your mind will wonder back. You will think of people from the past or you will encounter someone from the past. If old lovers show up, don't bet that it will stick. Believe me... it is just for a "review." (And if it does last, I want to be the first to know about it. E-mail me and let me know). And you know what, I wouldn't start a new romance during this period either - wait until after June 22nd !!!
Review - If you are reading instructions, you may find it necessary to review repeatedly because they simply don't make sense. Sometimes the publisher has actually left out a step. It happens!
Regroup - In corporations, it is a common experience during the Rx to hear the boss say, 'Alright, we are going to rework this thing and get it right.' Later when the period is over, they go back to the old way doing things. It is a laugh a minute. Stand back and watch the comedy.
Reboot and Revise - The computer world is a definite place to watch the comedy. It is common for one to suddenly, without fore thought, decide to revise their system during the Rx. Oh! Mercy! That revised system may never function in the normal way. Oh, please! Do wait until the period is over. However, it is fine to do your shopping for the new components during the Rx. When you do go to purchase your parts after June 22nd, you will find better deals and buys.
Return - Now here is a good one. You'll find that this period is a popular time for family or class reunions. Should you stay are home? Absolutely not! You go because this is a review that you don't want to miss. But funny thing is that in spite of the fact that you tell these people 'lets stay in touch' it will become lip service and you won't live up to your suggestion.
Rebirth – Often one will go back into the past and bring up old creative projects to work with during this time frame. Sometimes it sticks and sometimes it doesn't. Only you will be able to activate the discipline to keep it going once the retrograde period is over.
Recover - You can bet that you will dig into your files, boxes or storage to recover something that you need…you can also bet it won't be an easy find. It is likely that you will be looking for a legal document· While it is possible that you may not find what you are looking for, you may find something that you would like to put back in to use. Fun!
Re-examine – Well, just about everything.
And so it is. Three times a year we live this cosmic "going to teach you patience routine". All and all when this retrograde period is over you may "Realize" this simple truth: The flow of the universe is very, very interesting and it is going to have its way with us.
Good luck and may the Universe bestow upon each one of you a special wisdom and unique insight into your journey through this life at this point!!! "
BACK TO ME NOW .... Those born between May 30th and June 21st will definitely get Mercury retrograde in their solar return - birthday chart - chart for the year ahead ... those born May 29th and June 22nd may or may not get this retrograde energy depending on what time their solar return occurs this year ... therefore a large majority of Gemini born and a small amount of Cancer born will get this energy in their solar return for the year ahead ... below is a repeat explanation of what it means to have Mercury Retrograde for the whole year in your birthday chart summed up by Mary Fortier Shea in her book titled "Planets in Solar Return":
"The significance of having Mercury retrograde in your yearly birthday chart or, as we refer to it in Astrology, a Solar Return ...
A Solar Return is the time every year that the Sun returns to the same degrees and minutes it was at when you were born - all the more reason to know your birth time now isn't it, hmmmmm????? ... a new chart is run for you at the time your solar return occurs in that given year and it is run for wherever you are at the precise time of your solar return ... this produces a new horoscope chart which shows what energy you may or may not run into for the year ahead - that is from the current birthday until next years’ birthday ... its energy can be felt from one to three months out before the actual solar return occurs ... often people will relocate for the return time in order to get a particular energy in their solar return chart ...
Mercury is usually retrograde in a solar return chart every six years ... during this time it's best to be introspective ... you should be learning and thinking on your own rather than depending on others ... the mind is like an overstuffed drawer seriously in need of re-filing and reorganization ... in other words the time has come to "process" ... the mental processes are not very receptive to new information at this time ... it's time to go back and re-examine and review things in your life which may have been started but not carried through to fruition or maybe interrupted and suddenly abandoned for some reason ... by focusing inward you might be able to see that your own opinions, thoughts and decisions work best for you rather than those made by others ... at the same time be very receptive to the feedback others are giving you especially if you have missed the mark in regard to some endeavor ... another side effect of this energy is secretiveness where you decide to withhold information or sometimes outright lie ... and why ??? .. because you have secrets that need to be kept or else were you to express your opinions and thoughts outwardly it could cause tension in your relationships ... have plenty of ice cream around to soothe the tongue you are most likely going to have to bite frequently this year !!! ... this is a great year to keep a journal and put your thoughts down on paper and also to write original material ... sometimes you can see things differently when thoughts and ideas are written down which is a very helpful way to get organized ... this is a year where you will probably realize old opinions and beliefs are now outdated thus encouraging you to reassess your thinking, reformulate previously developed ideas, and shed new light on something on some level of your life that needs to be addressed ... It doesn't really have to be a bad year ... done wisely, fast forwarding to the past and clearing out the "clutter", you can propel yourself further ahead in life than you originally may have thought !!! "