This year, each Mercury retrograde falls in one of the three earth signs.
Earth signs represent the material world, and describe matters to do with money, health, the body and managing long term ambitions. These topics will come up for review during Mercury’s different retrograde periods in 2016.
Now before you get too worried about this being ‘bad’ or a problem of some kind, let’s recap what Mercury retrograde means.
During a Mercury retrograde, Mercury spends an extra long time in one sign, or part of the Zodiac.
Even though the Mercury retrograde period itself might only last three weeks, Mercury can spend almost three months in one sign when you include the before, during and after sections of Mercury’s retrograde movement.
So a good word for a Mercury retrograde cycle is ’emphasis’. With Mercury ruling all kinds of things to do with communication, logistics, scheduling, organisation and business deals, when Mercury is retrograde, these topics are highlighted.
You can use Mercury retrograde productively, by reviewing schedules, confirming details or updating
organisational structures and systems. You might revise a communication or marketing strategy, and look for new or different ways to share messages, ideas and insights with the world.
I love to use Mercury retrogrades to catch up on emails or other correspondence, enjoy extra talk time on social media and generally update filing systems.
If you run a business, Mercury retrograde is also really helpful for reconnecting with past clients or service providers, or following up on business leads, ideas and plans that haven’t yet come to fruition.
Being flexible and adaptable – two of Mercury’s favourite things – can help you spot new opportunities, or make helpful changes to your existing plans or systems.
Rethink How You Feel About ‘Backwards’
To get the most out of Mercury retrograde, you might need to stop thinking of backwards as bad. We can’t always move forward. In fact, time out to slow down, pause and integrate what’s been going on is good for the soul – and far to rare in our fast paced modern life.
Embracing regular periods of reflection and review can make you more productive.
After all, to be successful or achieve your goals, you have to know what your plan is, why you’re doing it and have a sense of the best way to implement it. Mercury retrograde is perfect for the research and reflection that is needed to create a meaningful plan and a manageable strategy.
Dates for 2016
In 2016, this emphasis of Mercury mojo will stimulate Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo.
Here are the retrograde dates:
January 4 – 24, 0 Aquarius – 15 Capricorn*
April 27 – May 21, 23 Taurus – 14 Taurus
August 29 – September 21, 29 Virgo – 14 Virgo
December 18 – January 7, 2017, 15 Capricorn – 28 Sagittarius
How can you use this info?
First be mindful that the earth signs – and their associated topics – are emphasised and thus ready for improvements. During Mercury retrograde, reflect on what you own, your money and your body and see if there are welcome changes you can make to how you manage your stuff, your health or your wealth.
If you know your chart, highlight the houses ruled by Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. The topics of these houses will be highlighted and ready for updates in 2016.
A quick example – Miley Cyrus
click the chart to make it bigger
Miley has a Taurus rising or ascendant (1st House), Virgo on the 5th House and Capricorn on the 9th House.
The 1st House is about the self – appearance, attitudes, habits, personal goals and wellbeing.
The 5th House is about romance, fun, pleasure, children and enjoying the good life.
The 9th House is about travel, adventure, study and anything to do with international opportunities. It’s also about wisdom, faith and finding meaning or purpose.
For more on the topics of the houses, try this handout or this intro article.
Mercury Rx in Action
So for Miley in 2016, the emphasis – and opportunities to make timely improvements – are specifically about 1st house, 5th house and 9th house topics. For instance, she might make changes to her personal habits, attitudes or appearance (during Mercury retrograde/emphasising Taurus her 1st House of Self).
Or, she might update her beliefs on life, revisit a past international business opportunity, deal with planning for a special or overseas trip or even travel somewhere new and inspiring (during Mercury retrograde in Capricorn/ her 9th House of travel, learning and beliefs).
Planets in Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn
Going further, if you have planets in the parts of the signs Mercury will retrograde through – like Miley does, then the Mercury emphasis can help you go deeper around the themes of those planets. You might uncover new insights or missing information that helps you better understand a particular quality of your personality or area of life, or find you can be more organised or effective in a key area.
Miley has Venus at 12 Capricorn, which is very close to where Mercury will end his January retrograde. This may mean there is an emphasis on love and relationships, or things to do with appearance. It can also highlight relationships while travelling as Venus is in the 9th House. New insights and updated choices for her around these topics are possible.
Do you notice Mercury retrograde? Will these 2016 retrogrades influence your chart?