Mercury retrograde

Why is Mercury retrograde?

From the point of view of terrestrial inhabitants, Mercurian retrogradation is related to the fact that this planet (just like the Earth) moves around the Sun, but much faster than the Earth (2 times). If you observe the yearly movement of Mercury, you will notice that 3-4 times a year it changes its direction and begins to move as if "the wrong way" of the Zodiac. That is, if it was in Libra at the time of the reversal, - it begins to move towards Virgo, not to the Scorpio.

Naturally, Mercury, as a planet, continues to move continuously forward in its orbit. It just seems to us from Earth that it begins to loop, something like in the picture:

Approximately retro-periods of Mercury occur:

1. closer to the beginning of spring,
2. closer to the beginning of July,
3. closer to the beginning of autumn

Due to the regular retro phases, Mercury doesn't have time to visit all 13 ecliptic constellations in a year, because it "comes back" from time to time to where it's already been. Moreover, it slows down significantly during the "reverse" movement.

Each Mercury retrograde period lasts for 3 weeks. Astrologically, this is not the most prosperous period - due to 3 factors:

1. Mercury's apparent reverse motion (regression)
2. visible decrease in Mercury's velocity (tightening)
3. such a concept as the Mercury loop deserves our special attention, because the retro phase is one of its stages.

Let's look at each factor.

Mercury's "reverse" motion

Logically, the reverse movement means regression and a return to the recent past. Why the recent one? Because Mercury is a fast planet, and if he overtook a slow planet 2 weeks before his turn, he will pass over it again during his retrograde period, but more noticeably and for a longer time (because retro transits last longer).

What areas of life will this affect?

• globally, this will affect only those areas that are associated with Mercury astrologically:
  - mental activity,
  - information,
  - all types of communication;
   
• personally, this will affect only those houses and planets of your horoscope that will be aspected by Mercury retrograde (they will have a repeat transit with it).

What moves backwards is harder to redirect forward

It doesn't matter what happens - good or bad, - the principle of "The written word remains" will work here. By the way, this saying is directly related to Mercury, because this planet is associated with writing and documents.

The decision made during Mercury retrograde is impossible (or very difficult) to change. The resolution signed during this period won't be reviewed for a long time (no matter how absurd it may be). A company registered during this period will be difficult to close if necessary.

But if something positive happens, it will also stay with you for a long time. This is easy to track in your forecast: if Mercury forms a favorable transit to your natal planet or cuspid during the return movement, then it will actualize the events associated with them, and this success will be significant for you. So Mercury retrograde (contrary to popular belief) is not always harmful, - it all depends on the points of your horoscope that it will affect during the reverse movement.

Irrevocable return

What was done and decided shortly before the onset of Mercury retrograde (about 2-3 weeks in advance) is at risk of being canceled during the retro phase.

• For example, if you moved into a new apartment before the Mercury reversal, then there is a high probability that for some reason you'll move out during its reverse movement and never return. In the future, it will be possible to move, but to another place.
• If you've planned a trip or event for the retro period, then there will definitely be circumstances that will prevent this from happening or postpone it to a later date.
• Beliefs that seemed indisputable for a long time were most easily refuted during the retro-Mercury period.
• What you've been putting off all along has a great chance of coming true on Mercury retrograde. Circumstances will develop in such a way that you won't turn away.

Mercury's "Speed reduction"

Of course, Mercury, as a planet, doesn't reduce its speed, and continues to move evenly in its orbit around the Sun. But in retrograde motion, it appears to us to be slower from Earth. Thus, Mercury's transits (visible conjunctions with other planets) last longer than usual. For example, if Mercury met Pluto a week before its retrograde motion and skipped it quickly, then, turning back, it will pass Pluto again, but more slowly and thoroughly.

The same applies to the points of your natal chart: if Mercury forms a favorable transit to your planet or cuspid during the return movement, the duration of the positive event will increase. In case of an unfavorable aspect, transit-related problems will be delayed.

Considering that Mercury is associated with intelligence and learning in astrology, then our mental and cognitive abilities slow down during the retro period: we slow down, and things don't come easy to us.

Stationary Mercury

Mercury has the shortest stationary phase (immobility during reversals), because it is very fast planet and even with a strong visible "deceleration" it doesn't stop moving. This can be seen from its coordinates:

To mark the day when Mercury moves at its lowest speed, we mark it as stationary (S). Stationary Mercury doesn't have any special interpretation, it's interpreted in the same way as retrograde. However, the moment of going in the opposite direction (the slowest moment) is considered critical, especially for those people who were born during Mercury retrograde. If you make a purchase on the first day of Mercury retrograde, there is a high probability that there will be problems with delivery or some delays and misunderstandings related to the product. What other misfortunes can happen, read in the full article.

The Mercury Loop

The retrograde period in astrology is considered not only as a segment that records the reverse movement of Mercury, but as a part of "loop", when the planet goes forward, then back, and then forward again (this is clearly visible on the gif).

• The beginning of the loop is considered to be the day when direct Mercury is at the point of the Zodiac where it will subsequently complete its retro-phase (change its reverse movement to a forward one).
   
• The end of the loop is the day when direct Mercury is at the point of the Zodiac where it become retrograde.

Thus, the duration of the Mercury loop is almost 2 months:

1. about 2 weeks before the retro phase,
2. 3 weeks of the retro phase,
3. about 2 weeks after the retro phase.

Astrologically, in a relatively short period of time, there is an intensive study of the sphere of life that Mercury Retrograde has affected (because it passes through the same area of the sky 3 times). And in a year, he manages to work out 3 sections of your horoscope, - a cluster of your natal planets and houses that will get in his way during the loop.

In fact, the planetary loop consists of 3 stages:

1. direct movement: actualization of a certain sphere of life by Mercury,
2. reverse movement: cancellation of previous plans, acceptance of circumstances or making an irrevocable decision in this area,
3. direct movement: adaptation to the decision made.

To find out which areas of your horoscope will be affected by Mercury during its loop, use a short-term forecast for a specific retro period.

Mercury's delay within a single constellation

Mercury's loop causes it to sometimes linger for a long time within the same constellation and, due to tossing back and forth, cannot go beyond it in any way.

Example:

• October 9, 2019 direct Mercury entered Libra. By the end of the month, it had almost reached Scorpio, but November 1 it became retrograde and therefore remained in Libra.
   
• During the 3 weeks of the reverse motion, Mercury almost got close to Virgo, but again didn't have time to go beyond Libra, because November 21 it switched to direct movement and started moving on the Libra in the direction of Scorpio again.
   
• The exit from Libra to Scorpio has only been realized on December 10, thus, Mercury stayed in Libra for 2 months.
   
• Remarkably, in December 2019, Mercury changed 2 more constellations: on 15th moved to Ophiuchus, and on 27th - to Sagittarius.

That's how it happens!

 
Related links:

• Почему планеты бывают ретроградными
• Mercury Retrograde? Да не, бред какой-то...
• The pros and cons of Mercury Retrograde