Tonight, Mercury turns retrograde at 9:48 PM PT (12:48 AM ET), so you are likely feeling the effects already and it will continue through to tomorrow (we feel it most at the beginning and end of the period). Retrogrades influence individuals differently, depending on your Ascendant and where Mercury is traveling in relation to houses and planets in your chart. It’s helpful to be aware of these cosmic changes as we experience them together and ultimately our reactions to the events affect one another.
During his retrograde motion, Mercury is closest to the Earth and appears brightest in the sky, making him more powerful than usual. Mercury represents our intellect, logic, and discernment, playing a key role in business and trade. As he turns retrograde, these areas can be impacted with breakdowns in communication, misunderstandings, and mishaps with emails and texts, as well as classic issues with electronic devices (particularly notable in Scorpio, a sign ruled by Mars, which governs electricity).
Mercury is prompting us to engage with the right brain - our creative and intuitive side, which is vast and deep in Scorpio. These “retrograde challenges” arise because we attempt to “proceed as usual”, but Mercury is urging us to pause and consider new perspectives. Actually, we can use time to problem solve and generate genius ideas in unconventional ways.
Mercury also rules mischievousness and fun, as he is that divine child within who never ages. However in the sign of Scorpio, nothing feels light and humorous right now. Scorpio is where we come face to face with our fears and vulnerabilities. Mars rules Scorpio and so our speech can become defensive, stinging, poisonous, fuelled by feelings of jealousy and hurt. Instead of expressing aloud right now, consider turning inward and writing feelings down. Then rest and allow this period to pass, and after a few days, review your thoughts to see if you still feel the same way.
The Nakshatra is Jyestha, which means eldest and authority. The ruler is Indra, the King of the Gods, who is fierce, fearless, aggressive, enjoys all the pleasures of the flesh and will do whatever it takes to prevail. Indra however, rose to his position because he had the capacity to endure great tapas (penance) and acheived mastery over his senses. This area of the sky is about having the maturity and capacity to prioritize commitments over personal desires. Notice how our speech is indulgent when we say whatever we want in the moment. Perhaps you will notice where you need to be a leader with your words and use restraint for a better outcome.
In this realm of the right brain, our intuition is ripe with creativity, and allows us access to our deepest feelings, secrets and hidden world. Expressive writing could be cathartic and healing over the next 3 weeks.
How are you experiencing this retrograde so far? What do you plan to do with this time?
Blessings
Elise
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