Mercury Retrograde - Spring 2022
Mercury is now in Gemini! (One of Mercury’s home signs!) ☿♊︎
Mercury’s transits through each zodiac sign is typically quick & straight-forward, but this transit is an exception and worth dissecting becaaauuse…we are due for another regularly scheduled Mercury Retrograde!
Mercury will retrograde from May 10 - June 3, starting (stationing) retrograde at 4°51’ Gemini. Mercury will then retrace its steps through the first handful degrees of Gemini before re-entering Taurus, where it will finish its retrograde and station direct at 26°05’ Taurus.
I think we’re all pretty familiar with what Mercury retrograde means, but here’s a quick refresher: Mercury is the planet that governs the mind, ideas, mental processing, communication, technology, short-travel, social interactions, small details, day-to-day habits, schedules, routines, and systems. While Mercury is retrograde, we are more likely to experience issues, errors, delays, and frustrations in these areas of life.
We are currently in Mercury’s pre-retrograde shadow period (the time where Mercury first transits the degrees that it will later retrograde). Pay attention to what is coming up for you at this time. This may be an indication of what’s in store for you during Mercury retrograde. For me, I’ve already experienced issues/errors with technology (social media timing out and/or not saving or uploading my content correctly), & I wouldn’t be surprised if we experienced more of that during ☿ retrograde (which is a pretty common Merc Rx symptom, tbh).
While these errors and frustrations may be irritating as hell, they actually serve a constructive purpose. We can use any issues that arise as an opportunity to improve how we go about things. Here we can take a step back and examine how to refine, re-do, reassess, and/or re-approach things in order to avoid the same issues or do it better in the future.
During Mercury retrograde (and even in its shadow periods) it’s good to remember to slow down and be thorough - to double-check information or details, confirm, and clarify communication. Basically I move through Merc Rx with the conscious effort to pay more attention and use my noggin more intentionally. I often find myself saying “go go gadget brain power!” especially when Merc Rx brings the brain fog. It’s helpful to not over-pack your schedule, in case any snafu’s arise and you need some time/room to address them. It can be easy to get overwhelmed under this transit.
As Mercury “moves backwards” through the zodiac, it symbolically represents how we may find ourselves “thinking back” during this time as well. This is why we may think about/reconnect with an old friend or ex (or an ex/old friend may think about us and reach out). We could revisit a project we already started or take up an old hobby that we once loved! Just be sure to assess if the past returning is a good/constructive/healthy thing, or if its best to leave the past in the past.
It’s not necessarily advised that we start something new during Mercury retrograde or make large purchases, but if you can’t get around it, don’t panic. Trust in the universe’s timing and just be thorough and smart (do your research and have a back-up plan if possible)!
Intentionally activating our common sense and critical thinking goes a LONG way during Mercury Retrograde. So does patience. But there may also be some things that are just out of our control. It’s natural to get frustrated, but see if you can also shift your perspective!
Lastly, don’t fear the retrograde. It’s a regular part of life (happened 3x a year) and in the end serves a valuable purpose of bringing us into periods of revision, refinement, review, reassessment, and renewal! It is often moments of struggle or frustration that lead us to making the biggest improvements!
Xoxo,
Maple Eastwood
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