OH NOOOO ... BACKWARDS WE GO >>> AGAIN !!!

MERCURY -  begins its third retrograde journey for 2024 tomorrow, August 5th, at 12:56 AM EDT ... if you've been following my blogs, or most anyone else who writes about this "phenomena", then you know pretty much what to expect during a Mercury Retrograde ... as always - EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED !!! ... some of you may have noticed the energy beginning to move backwards already when Mercury entered its shadow point - the point where it will come out of the retrograde on August 28th - on July 17th when it reached 21 degrees 24 minutes Leo  ... from now on things somehow just don't seem to go right or as we planned and we often find ourselves RE-DOING things, not only inside the retrograde period, but especially after Mercury stations back into direct motion ... and this Mercury retrograde beginning in one of the signs it naturally rules, this time Virgo, potentially may add quite the extra punch to start ... there could potentially be some kind of disruption on the Olympic scene in Paris as there is so much electronic calculating and timing needing to be done on every level as well as the closing ceremonies and what about all the people at the airports and train stations ready to go home on the 12th - we shall see !!! 



This is a dual sign Mercury retrograde lasting 23 days going from 4 degrees 6 minutes Virgo back to 21 degrees 24 minutes Leo ... Mercury was last completely retrograde in Virgo during August/September of 2023, and it was last partially retrograde in Leo in July 2019 ... anything come to mind during those periods regarding this backward energy - especially in regard to the areas of life ruled by which houses these occurred in your natal chart ??? 

Those especially likely to feel the effects of this retrograde include Virgo, Gemini and Leo born, as well as those with a Virgo or Leo natal Sun, rising sign or Moon placement ... more so likely if any of these have degrees at the same placement as this retrograde period ... just remember, what we are reviewing and possibly having to revise or simply let go of which may have begun from July 17th and during this period will still be under review once Mercury stations direct on August 28th and has to scrub back over these degrees up until September 11th when Mercury returns to 4 degrees 6 minutes Virgo !!!

For all of us, now becomes a time to review and rethink what is going on in our lives ... don't be surprised if issues arise from actions and new beginnings taken during the most recent Mercury retrogrades which would include April 1st - April 25th, 12/13/2023 - 1/2/2024, 8/23/2023 - 9/15/2023 ... and as always, it would not be out of the realm of possibilities to have issues arise from Mercury retrogrades further back than these most recent three ... after all, Mercury is known as the "trickster" and you never know what may occur or "resurface" to be dealt with and completed !!!!!!

Obviously communications are going to be challenged both to and from others ... partnerships and relationships often hit the skids during these periods ... it is NOT a good time to make major purchases - especially cars - a big NO NO, computers or anything that involves electronics !!! ... purchasing homes can end up producing unforeseen problems and even the contracts can have unexpected difficulties along the way or at closing especially if the closing takes place during the retrograde period .... it is also not a good idea to enter into contracts or start new jobs as they will most likely not pan out and end up being dead ends .... obviously one cannot put their life on hold, but if there is anyway to hold off on these things until Mercury turns direct, it would prove beneficial in the long run ... I have frequently found, though, that in some charts I've done, people born under a Mercury retrograde sometimes seem to thrive during these periods because they innately understand the backward energy and how to work with it !!!

And what about Weddings you ask ... or did you ??? ... NO NO NO !!! ... now I know it takes time to plan a wedding and if you have already done so then there is no need to rush and cancel it ... sometimes it is the impromptu weddings that run into serious trouble ... regardless, I would highly suggest you get someone to note the time when you are pronounced a married couple and then find a reputable astrologer to run an event chart for the "birth" of the wedding relationship in particular to see in which house this Mercury retrograde energy falls ... this would give you a good idea in what area of life you might run into difficulties down the road or certainly where to keep an eye out for potential trouble !!!

It is very important to understand that Mercury 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 go back to rethink and review our actions especially as the energy relates to the current sign that the planet is 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 !!!



Mercury retrogrades are a time for reviewing and revision ... as the saying goes, "it might be a good idea to drop back and punt" !!! ... during a retrograde journey 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 ... this is NOT the time to make vast sweeping changes ... rather one should keep an eye open for possibilities that could prove more satisfying once the energy has returned back to direct motion ... and to point out once again, I have found that some people who are born with Mercury retrograde in their natal chart may have the tendency to navigate these often turbulent waters somewhat easier !!!

As Mercury retrogrades in Virgo, Mercury in Virgo already "slows" down the mental process with Virgo being an Earth sign, and adding retrograde energy to it just complicates matters where there is already the tendency to over analyze everything down to the last detail !!! ... Mercury retrograde in an Earth sign tends to shift the focus to more practical matters !!! 

As Virgo is the natural ruler of the 6th house of the horoscope, one might expect to potentially encounter issues regarding employment, employees, tenants, servants, pets, dependents, service given to others, routine matters, your clothes and how you wear them, hygiene, interest in food and ones diet, sickness and all conditions affecting your health ... the 6th house also relates to ones aunts and uncles, self-adjustments and ones unconscious mind ... it is important to note that in the 6th house, work and health are linked together !!! 

On August 14th/15th depending on which time zone in which you live, Mercury returns to the sign of Leo for the final portion of this retrograde period ... Mercury retrograde in a Fire sign, this time being Leo, causes us to question how any means of inspiration can helpfully create a better future for ourselves !!! 

Mercury retrograding in Leo could certainly cause issues to arise in regards to romance - therefore those getting married during this period could potentially be greatly affected, creative pleasurable activities, emotional attitudes, the love we give to others, social affairs, the education of children, and any dramatic, literary, or artistic endeavors as these are the areas ruled by the 5th house of the natural zodiac which Leo naturally rules !!!

Leo is ruled by the Sun and as such, there could also be issues arising in regards to ones personal expression, the quality of leadership and success, the father, husband, and men in general, health, vital principles, authority and bosses, rank, title, high office, progress, dignity, energy sense of identity, ones capacity for experience !!!

In regards to health, Mercury specifically rules the nervous system, brain, sight, hands and arms ... Virgo rules the intestinal area in the body ... and the Sun rules the heart and the back, and Leo rules the heart, back or spine, the right eye of the male and the left eye of the female ... all of the aforementioned areas potentially developing issues but not necessarily all at the same time ... and also there could potentially be other health issues as Mercury naturally rules the 6th house which include health and nutrition !!!

A Mercury retrograde is usually not a good time to have surgery as the healing process could be slowed down or there could be the chance of having to go back at a later date and take care of something that wasn't done correctly - especially in regards to cosmetic surgery !!! ... now this applies to elective surgery ... as for emergency surgery, we have no control over that and trying to put that off might produce catastrophic results !!!

If you've had a natal chart done and know in which house or houses 4 degrees 6 minutes Virgo back to 21 degrees 24 minutes Leo fall in your chart, then you may get a good idea as to what main issues this Mercury retrograde has in store for you ... this is where you are most likely going to find issues arise particularly for you in the areas of life governed by the house or houses where this Mercury retrograde falls in your natal chart ... A lot to "think" about when the mental processing is not functioning at its best ... once again a good reminder of how important it is to have a natal chart run by a reputable Astrologer !!! 

Gemini and Virgo born since Mercury is your natural ruling planet, this is your time to "try" and slow down for personal review and rethinking - especially in regards as to what has transpired in your lives since Mercury last resumed direct motion on April 25th !!!

Below I have re-posted the "Mercury Retrograde Survival Manual" written by my teacher Lyn Hammond Gray ... hopefully it will help out :


"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 (August 28th).


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. Hold off until AFTER August 28th !!!


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 in August after the 28th, you will most likely 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. Smile.


Reduction – Over the years, I have been amazed at how many times a company or person decides to eliminate a job or to leave a job during the retrograde. It is my experience that a job changed during this period is 95% of the time regretted. Can you wait until the period is over, dear heart?


And so it is. Three times a year, sometimes four, we live with 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 !!!"



Those of you born between August 5th and August 27th, with some born on August 4th, will definitely have Mercury retrograde energy in your birthday (solar return) chart for the whole year ahead ... those born on August 3rd/4th and August 28th may or may not get this backward energy depending on the time of your solar return ... a higher likelihood as this is a Leap Year !!! ... below is a repeat explanation of what it means to have Mercury Retrograde for the whole year in your birthday chart:



The significance of having Mercury retrograde in your yearly birthday chart or, as we refer to it in Astrology, a Solar Return, is summed up below by Mary Fortier Shea in her book titled "Planets in 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 !!! "





Whatever the case, it is for sure that there will undoubtedly be lights going ON in our heads regarding certain actions as well as other lights going OUT as this Mercury retrograde energy wreaks its cosmic havoc for the next 23 days ... Mercury remains retrograde until August 28th !!!

It would be in your best interest to slow down and try not to act too impulsively and swim upstream in a raging current of cosmic chaos or the day may come in the near future when you live to regret what you did ... be aware that tempers will flare and patience may become very scarce at times  ... most importantly, keep that sense of humor close at hand ... it will definitely be needed many times !!!

As always my fellow beings of light, when all is said and done, the burning question becomes whether or not will we become the victim of Constant Cosmic chaos, the recipient of great Cosmic Clarity - or perhaps both ???