Mercury’s 2015 retrogrades will trigger each of the three air signs, starting with Aquarius (January/February) then Gemini (May/June) and finally Libra (September/October). This will emphasise the element of air, and may create some classic communication reviews and re-dos.
One question I get a lot from readers, clients and students is about how difficult Mercury retrograde might be. I’d like to make it clear that Mercury retrograde is not a terminal transit. It is unlikely to be the planet or cycle that changes your life, but it can get you to think about things differently. What you do with that new insight, well that is entirely up to you!
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Everyone has all three air signs represented in their chart and life. The air signs will likely rule a trio of houses in your chart that share similar topics.
For instance, you might have Aquarius on the 2nd House, Gemini on the 6th and Libra on the 10th or MC. All these houses are about money, work and career. Those would then be the topics highlighted by 2015’s Mercury retrogrades for you.
You would then apply the Mercury retrograde energy – rethinking, reorganising, possible delays with scheduling or communication – to topics like money, career and daily work or wellness routines.
If you know your ascendant or rising sign, you could use this guide to work out what topics will be triggered by Mercury’s curious and thought provoking retrogrades in 2015 for you. Need help with houses? Try this free article.
Fire signs rising (Aries, Leo and Sagittarius) – 3rd house/7th House/11th house trio highlighting topics of communication, self-expression, siblings, relationships and friendships.
Earth signs rising (Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn) – 2nd house/6th house/10th house trio highlighting topics of money, cash flow, income, work + health routines, health, career, profession and reputation.
Air signs rising (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius) – 1st house/5th house/9th house highlighting topics of self, personal growth/development, pleasure, relaxation and enjoyment as well as travel, adventure study and life purpose.
Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces) – 4th house/8th house/12th house highlighting topics of privacy, reflection, home, long term finances, couple or family money, taxes, working behind the scenes and quality downtime.
What to Avoid
Mercury Retrograde is traditionally a time to hold off signing important documents or contracts. Instead review or rethink major decisions. It’s a time for reflection and research.
Facts may be hidden or unavailable during Mercury retrograde. If you make a decision or sign a document during this time you may change your mind or want to tweak the terms or conditions once Mercury’s retrograde is over.
Mercury is linked to Hermes, the messenger god, and when moving backwards, anything to do with delivering messages (through any medium) can get tricky. Mercury is the ultimate trickster planet and things are not always quite as they seem when Mercury is moving backwards.
Mercury is traditionally the planet associated with business, and symbolises all kinds of wheeling, dealing and decision making. These can also be areas to slow down or proceed with caution while Mercury is retrograde.
Each Mercury Retrograde lasts about three weeks. Through this time you can expect a higher than usual amount of organisational hiccups, like having to reschedule plans at the last minute, rearrange your diary/life and deal with misunderstandings or crossed wires due to communication breakdowns.
The most frustrating part of Mercury retrograde is usually the very start and very end, when Mercury is in ‘in station’. This is like a train stuck at the station and represents the planet not moving. It’s a time of stillness, to pause and to reflect, but it is not the best time for setting plans or scheduling for the future.
Transport and Technology
Transport and communication are two areas which typically suffer during Mercury Retrogrades. Double check computer back-ups, make copies of anything important you’re working on and be prepared for technical and communication hiccups like mobile dropouts or delays with travel.
That said, it is a good time to be on holidays – just make sure everything is organised before Mercury goes retrograde. In the past I have travelled during Mercury retrograde. Mostly I’d suggest avoiding the station days but otherwise travel away, just be flexible and build a little extra time into your itinerary in case of delays.
Mercury Retrograde and the Signs
You can be especially sensitive to Mercury retrograde if it falls in your sign. In 2015, that includes Aquarius from mid-January to mid-February, Gemini from mid-May to mid-June and Libra from mid-September to mid-October.
In addition, the signs ruled by Mercury, Gemini and Virgo, are always influenced by Mercury retrograde. If that’s your Sun sign – or your Moon or Ascendant or MC sign – then do make note of the Mercury retrograde periods. Plan reviews and catch up periods then rather than major new undertakings.
Instead, use the retrograde energy – literally, going back over the recent past – to catch up on existing projects rather than start something new. I love Mercury retrograde for catching up on emails, or tying off loose ends. I often use this cycle to follow up on business leads, or edit my database, all great review and polishing Mercury projects.
One other factor to consider is that when Mercury retrogrades in a sign he spends an extra-long time in that sign (and its associated house).
For instance, at top speed, over 2 degrees a day, Mercury can whip through a sign in two weeks (like Aries in 2015, where Mercury is from April 1 – 14). But when Mercury’s visit to a sign includes a retrograde, like say Aquarius, Mercury spends a little over 2 months in a sign. This creates a strong emphasis on the planet/sign combination, and gives us all a chance to connect into and rework our relationship to that energy.
In 2015, we each get the chance to redo our understanding of and use of:
– Mercury in Aquarius: the inventive thinker
– Mercury in Gemini: the curious networker
– Mercury in Libra: the diplomatic negotiator
2015 Mercury retrogrades:
Mercury retrograde in Aquarius, January 20 – February 11
Mercury retrograde in Gemini, May 18 – June 11
Mercury retrograde in Libra, September 16 – October 9
Do you follow Mercury retrograde? Do you find it influences you?