Mercury Retrograde in Virgo – Time to Clean Up Those Messes!

Presenting Tarot Elements’ Resident Astrologer, Valerie Sylvester’s Guide to Surviving the Mercury Retrograde in Virgo. Print it out and keep it with you till the end of September! Oh, better get your apron and gloves on too – there’s a lot to sort out and clean up during this period…

Post Index

• What’s a Retrograde?
• Mercury Retrograde in Virgo
• Days to Keep an Eye On
• A Few Things About Mercury Retrograde You Might Want to Know
  • Communication
  • Cars
  • Computers
  • Contracts
• The Sabian Symbols for the dates Mercury stations retrograde and direct are rather interesting
• Mercury RX in Virgo and the Tarot

What’s a Retrograde?

To keep it simple, retrogradation, as a general term, is similar to when you’re on a moving train and you see another train or car next to you that’s moving at a different speed than you are. The other vehicle may seem to be moving backward, though in reality, of course, it’s chugging along at its own speed, which is just different from yours. Mercury orbits the sun faster than the earth does, and at various points in this orbit, Mercury “catches up” with Earth, then passes us. From Earth, we see Mercury appear to slow down, go backwards, and then appear to move forward again.

Three and sometimes four (as in this year, 2010) times a year, the planet Mercury appears to be moving backwards in the sky for approximately 3 weeks. This Mercury Retrograde “officially” starts on August 20, but we’ve been in what astrologers call the Shadow period since August 1. Mercury stations (this is the point where it seems to change its direction) on September 12 and then begins to apparently move forward again, and hits the Shadow point (where it initially went retrograde) on September 27. What all this means is that we’ve been/are being influenced by this particular Mercury retrograde from August 1 through September 27! And with the heavy Cardinal T-Square/Cross formation looming above us as well, this has been and will continue to be a rather challenging period for most of us.

And don’t forget that August 2010 is in numerology, an 11 month. 11 is considered a Master Number and is often seen as the master psychic number, channeling information to us from spirit (much like the function of Mercury as cosmic messenger). Master numbers are powerful but are often a bit tricky for us mere mortals to get the hang of at first, so we need to take it slow and steady, which is good advice in general for all Mercury retrograde periods.

Mercury is the ruling planet of Gemini and is considered exalted in Virgo, as the energies of the planet and the sign are considered in sync and operate at optimum levels. This Mercury Retrograde (or RX, for short) period will most affect the mutable signs Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces, or those with planets from 6 to 20 degrees of those signs. Gemini and Virgo people, or those with Gemini and Virgo rising or angular in their charts, will most likely feel the effects of this retrograde the most. This happens because Geminis, Virgos, and people with a strong Mercury in their birth chart are more likely to be involved in communications, work heavily with computers, research, searching for data, or in the medical field or in other industries where precision is required. They are also heavily represented in publishing and media as writers, editors, newscasters, researchers and in all phases of the television, radio and online worlds.

Mercury Retrograde in Virgo

Mercury RX often heralds a period of thinking differently and of taking care of the unfinished business of your life, the leftovers from your past that you’ve left hanging or simply forgotten about because your busy life got in the way, Virgo is the sign of synthesis, of sorting the wheat from the chaff. Mercury rules Gemini, which is affiliated with the 3rd house, which, in addition to communications/speech in general, also relates to transportation, neighbors and siblings. Mercury also rules Virgo, which is affiliated with the 6th house, and this correlates to your day-to-day work environment, general health and healing, pets, the digestive function of the body, and the general concept of service, whether on a mundane level (as in performing a service), or as in service for the greater good.

With Mercury Retrograde in Virgo, you might decide to take a look at bad habits you’ve fallen into, especially with regard to the kind of food you eat and how nourishing and healthy it is, whether you need to exercise and how much, and how your routines are affecting your physical body. It’s generally not a great time to go in for surgery or medical tests, as the tests may prove inconclusive or have to be done over, the equipment may malfunction, doctors or hospital staff may misread charts, misdiagnoses may occur, or surgery may need to be redone.

It also points to a need to take a look at your daily routines in all areas, to see what’s not working well or efficiently anymore. Mercury Retrograde in Virgo is a great time to clean up those messes on every level. Breakdowns in your routines call attention to the fact that some of them don’t serve your needs anymore. It’s also a good time to research, to look for facts and information necessary to plan for your future-but wait until after the Mercury Retrograde to initiate anything of major importance in your life.

On the spiritual level, reflecting the Virgo need for service, you may be taking a hard look at who or what you are in service (or sometimes in bondage!) to. There’s a spiritual call to service, and with ordinary routines thrown asunder, you might just finally hear that still small voice.

NOTE: Journaling during this time is an excellent idea. Writing it all down satisfies the Mercury need to communicate, and with the retrograde, recording your inner thoughts as they occur is a valuable exercise for gaining clarity in the midst of confusion. Plus you’ll be creating a record that you can sift through for information which may prove valuable in the future, which certainly pleases the Virgo side of the equation!

Since this period can be jarring on the nerves, taking extra time to relax is also important. Sometimes it’s necessary to distract ourselves from becoming too frazzled by our ordinary routines. Using essential oils, aromatherapy or scented candles can lift our spirits and give us a mini-vacation from the tasks and responsibilities of the day. I noticed that there’s even a special Mercury Retrograde Retro-Fit oil offered by K.G. Stiles’ Health Mastery Systems. I’m not affiliated with this site, and have never tried the oils myself, but it seems like a fantastic idea for Mercury RX periods.

Days to Keep an Eye On

This list focuses on days that communication or other Mercury RX mix-ups may arise:
August 21: Not an easy day; aspects indicate stress between the old and the new, problems with authority; overblown ideas can lead to mistakes; adjustments may have to be made.
August 23: Watch your words, exercise restraint when speaking to others rather than trying to force issues; don’t be petty or overly critical.
August 24: Watch what you promise, only promise what you know you can actually deliver without mistakes.
August 26: A good day for buckling down to work and accepting responsibility. Just make sure to take care of the small details, there may be a tendency to only see the big picture and be a wee bit fuzzy on the details.
August 27: A need to get along with people; don’t be too critical or harsh in the way you speak to others. Don’t act on impulse or fly off the handle; it could get you into trouble—or an accident.
August 29: Breakthroughs are possible, trust your intuition: take a break and listen to messages from within.
August 30: A good day to work on issues that have been derailing your progress.
September 3: Keep things in balance when dealing with others; take heed of others’ feelings and try not to only point out their failings. This might be a day when we feel a bit “burned out” by information overload and need to take a break to revitalize or get to the heart of the matter rather than intellectualizing it.
September 5: Think before you speak; sudden outbursts or sarcastic comments may cause problems or hurt others.
September 7: A good day for planning, detail work, learning in general; see things holistically, note cycles.
September 8: Write down what you want to happen in the future, make lists, planning, see what you can do to make things in your life “run” better.
September 11: Good day for serious work, planning, research.
September 12: Mercury stationary direct today (Mercury appears to halt before starting to turn direct); time to finish all the major “cleanups” you’ve been working on.
September 13: Taking risks is not a good idea today; be careful when traveling.
September 21: Watch that you don’t overextend yourself today; remember there’s only so much time in the day.
September 27: Mercury is at 19 degrees 04 Virgo again and finally out of Retrograde shadow (Mercury passes the point where it first went retrograde). The retrograde energies might still be hanging around for a few days, but we’re on our way out of the woods here….at last!

A Few Things About Mercury Retrograde You Might Want to Know

Keep in mind “The Four C’s”: Communication, Cars, Computers and Contracts.

These tend to be the things that go kerflooey during a Mercury Retrograde period. Why? Because Mercury rules communication and all the ways we connect with each other; it also rules traveling from place to place and just plain ol’ getting around.

Communication

In the modern world, we’re go-go-go-ing 24/7 and there’s no down time for many people any more. We’re online, on the phone, rushing around, yakking and typing away all day and all night with nowhere to hide from the constant barrage of stimulation, data and input. During a Mercury Retrograde, we’re being given the message to take a bit of a time out and s-l-o-w down. Everyone, of course, ignores this and continues to keep up the pace even though nothing is working properly, messages are lost (as is baggage, if you’re traveling), schedules are not met, and everyone’s a wreck from trying to right what’s gone wrong. Unfortunately, as I’ve discovered from years toil in the wonderful world of office work, what usually happens is everyone then pushes even harder to get things done in spite of all the screw-ups, often only making things worse in the process. No one ever understands that when things start messing up, it’s a sign that it’s time to stop overextending ourselves or adding too much to our lengthy to do lists.

Often, people will try to start major new projects or just take on too much and flame out during this time. Higher-ups have no clue why there’s no progress being made and push people even harder. Of course, there is progress being made, it’s just occurring on an inner or more subtle level, which, in our society, is often not valued. This is a great time to clean out files, return to an old project and finish it up, reconnect with old interests and people, finish half-read books, or do anything that involves going back and taking another look at something.

And of course, don’t forget that human-to-human communication is also in the weird zone during Mercury RX. People hear what they thought you said, or misinterpret what they thought they heard, take messages down incorrectly, transpose digits of phone numbers, leave the most important memos underneath of pile of junk on someone’s desk and in general get so discombobulated that they aren’t thinking clearly. This tends to have a cascade effect. People who are overwhelmed by everything screwing up contact other people who are equally overwhelmed and throw them into more of a panic–so you have the Mercury RX Friday at 5 phenomenon, where everyone who forgot to do something all week will call in a tizzy and expect whoever answers the phone to miraculously take care of their problem right away, even when you explain to them that most of the staff has already gone home. And watch that email. On those stressful days when you’re not paying 100% attention, it’s all too easy to send that really personal email not just to your best friend, but to your reply all list of 345 people. And if you’re part of groups or forums on the internet, you can be sure that flame wars will erupt because one person didn’t quite understand that the other was trying to make a joke, even if they did put that cute little smiley face after their comment.

You also may hear from people who used to be part of your life. They suddenly appear as if transported straight up from Hades (more on that in a later section) and sometimes we’re not exactly thrilled to see them. Usually there’s a message, so don’t kill the messenger, even though you might be sorely tempted to. Past loves, old friends, former co-workers–all can reappear to help you clear up the loose ends in some part of your life.

Cars

It’s generally not a good idea to buy a new car or any sort of electronic or communications equipment during a Mercury Retrograde. It’s not always the case, but what tends to happen is that even if you don’t buy an utter lemon, the item turns out to not be what you thought it was, doesn’t work the way you want it to, needs too many repairs, has mysterious problems, and is just a general pain in the tuchas.

To make the point noted above, I present for your edification The Tale of the Crapmobile. A few years ago my partner and I had to buy a car on short notice as the driver of a monumentally huge truck decided that instead of waiting for our car to enter the highway from the access lane, he’d just take a short cut through our back window. The car was totaled; we had to buy a new one, which I have since christened The Crapmobile. This occurred during the shadow period of Mercury Retrograde. Since we needed a car day-to-day to get to work, we had to buy right away; waiting wasn’t an option. We wanted a used car and specifically selected a car that was Certified, meaning that it had undergone many safety and function checks and was deemed in excellent condition. We found a nice relatively new bright red used car (we’re both Aries, the color red is a Mars-ruler-of-Aries thing).

Not long after we bought the car we had to have it inspected by the state. It failed the inspection because the tint on our windshield and side windows was too dark. We had to bring the car back to the dealer and ask them how they could have sold us a car that wouldn’t pass inspection. They stripped the tint and then we went back (sensing a theme here?) to have the car inspected. The second time, it passed. Since then we’ve brought this car in for many, many repairs, but the most annoying problem has been headlight and taillight issues. Both our front headlights and back headlights and brake lights fizzle out without notice. We’ve brought the car back to the dealers numerous times but no one can figure out what’s happening. Or why. This leads to many enjoyable encounters with police in the NY/NJ metro area. We’ll be toodling around NYC, a head or tail light will go out, we’ll have no idea the light is out (it doesn’t show on the dash panel either, most times, of course) and we’ll be pulled over (usually within 15-20 minutes, it’s truly astonishing) by a concerned-looking police officer, who, being in a Mars-ruled occupation, seems to love red cars as much as we do. The officer always looks at us solemnly and says, “Do you know why I pulled you over?” At this point we’re busy inventing obscene or insane responses to the question in our heads, since we’ve heard it so often. But since we don’t want to end up in jail, we just respond with: “Could it be that one of the lights is out, officer?”

After reading the above tale of woe, you might still decide to buy a car or something else shiny with a lot of moving or electronic parts during a Mercury Retrograde. And if you do, my best wishes to you and I hope you and your very own Crapmobile will enjoy many happy trips to the repair shop together. Just remember to bring a book to read while you’re waiting. It’ll take a while to figure out what’s wrong with it.

As for other forms of transportation: Just leave yourself twice the amount of time it normally takes to get somewhere. (If you’re taking the NYC subway, leave yourself 3 times the amount.) Flights get cancelled, trains get diverted because a tree fell on the tracks, the weather causes snafus, someone wigs out on a plane and they have to take it back to the runway-you name it, it will happen. Verify all pertinent details in advance—don’t wait until the last minute. Don’t forget your suitcase or your tickets—or to lock the door when you leave. Make like Santa Claus and check your list not once but twice—you won’t regret it during a Mercury retrograde.

A final note: It’s easy to be distracted or miscalculate during this time, so be careful when you’re driving or piloting ANYthing during a Mercury RX, as accidents can happen. Texting or using a cell phone while driving, or even walking, is definitely not recommended. As I type this, I’ve just heard that Mel Gibson (see my earlier Tarot Elements post on the Leo New Moon of August 2010), has smashed his Maserati into a hillside in Malibu (and alcohol was not involved). I just hope this guy gets the Master Decoder Ring for Universal Symbolism pretty soon, as it seems that lately his life has just been one crash after another.

Computers

This one’s easy. Back up your computer, save your files, make copies of anything you can’t afford to lose. Your computer will crash, you will lose valuable files, somebody’s kid will fry it by loading malicious software, or it will decide to blue-screen on you just when you’ve finished (but not saved) that major presentation that your job hinges on or your earth-shattering 2,452-page epic novel about vampires in Ancient Rome. Don’t think about it. Just do it.

Contracts

It’s generally considered a good idea not to enter into new contracts during the Mercury Retrograde period. If something’s already been in progress or established during the period prior to the retrograde, it can work; otherwise, just be careful. If you’re signing a job contract, by the time Mercury goes direct, the job may no longer exist, or it’s not the job you thought it was or something major about it can change, like the boss you thought you’d be working is fired or leaves the company. Which might be fine with you, but if it’s not, think twice before you sign on that dotted line!

The key to dealing with problems in all these areas is another Mercury word: flexibility. You need to leave yourself wiggle room. Don’t lock yourself into rigid schedules, force yourself into time squeezes, or enter into iron-clad contracts with no possibility of escape. The more rigid you are about things, the more likely Trickster Mercury will throw a huge monkey wrench party just for you!

The Sabian Symbols for the dates Mercury stations retrograde and direct are rather interesting

Sabian Symbol for Mercury going retrograde on August 20, 2010 at 20 degrees Virgo (degrees and minutes are rounded up when using the Sabian symbols):

A Caravan of Cars Headed For Promised Lands

For Mercury going direct again on September 12 2010 at 6 degrees Virgo, the Sabian Symbol is

A Merry-Go-Round

These two symbols point to the polarity between moving on to find the prospects for a better future, versus going around in circles or repeating the same patterns that we’ve been entrenched in. Both feature movement as a main image, as well as groups moving at the same time. Since both Involve machinery and motion, it’s a double hint from the Universe to make sure the machinery of your life is in working order, and that can be very literal, as in, take your car into the shop for inspection. (I’m proud to note here that the Crapmobile just had its air-conditioning system overhauled!)

A caravan usually involves a group of people headed out to make new discoveries, whether to find a new homeland or to travel for pleasure, t o see new sights together with other like-minded people. In tarot talk, the first symbol reminds me of a herd of Chariots moving forward, the second reminds me of the Wheel. Both involve connections with other people; the Chariot Rat Pack moves together, and generally a merry-go-round starts moving when enough children have clambered upon it and the switch is flipped. Sometimes the sheer adrenaline of movement is enough to free our spirits. Part of the message is also simply: Enjoy the trip! Don’t forget that one association with Mercury is with children and being childlike.

The symbolism of the Chariot moving onward and the Wheel’s circular path speaks of moving beyond our normal boundaries. As I often see the Wheel card as a somewhat fated card, in the sense that we are now exactly where we’re supposed to be, the message is that our actions to control energy and move forward, have taken us to a magic place—a carousel features painted horses, music, colored lights, children laughing—they’re spinning round and round and the movement of the wheel is all that matters in that moment. By accepting a ride on the Wheel, we acknowledge that while we know we can control what is within our control, (the image of cars/the Chariot), we also accept that we’re part of a larger plan; we circle round and round like the earth orbits the sun; there are larger forces at work (the Wheel).

Mercury RX in Virgo and the Tarot

The Magician (Mercury) and the Hermit (Virgo)

One of most interesting ways to look at Mercury Retrograde is to consider the fact that Hermes, the Greek messenger god who is akin to Mercury, took on many different roles, as befits his many-sided personality. The role I’m most interested here is that of psychopomp, who was basically an escort service (no, not that kind of escort service, though Hermes was quite lively in all areas, it must be said). In the role of psychopomp, Hermes conducted the recently dead to the underworld/Hades. He was considered a god of the crossroads, of making connections between one thing and another. He also was believed to bring dreams to the living. Essentially he used his skills to act as a conduit from one state to another, like a cosmic middleman.

During this Mercury Retrograde in Virgo, we should be especially alert to receiving messages from deep within. The Magician, working in concert with the Hermit, speaks of aligning knowledge with wisdom, and of going very deep for information. Mercury is exalted in Virgo, so the Hermit has raised his own understanding of the world through the wise use of skills. Both cards reflect the skillful use of knowledge and the process of going within to access it. This tells us that this retrograde period will be a time to pay great attention to your dreams, to all forms of communication, and to look for the deeper wisdom even in situations that are stressful or seem on the surface to make absolutely no sense.

As the elder keeper of knowledge, the Hermit calls forth that which is ancient, so an opening to ancient mysteries or contacting those who have passed on is also a possibility. During a Mercury Retrograde, people from our past may turn up, and that can include those who have died.

Our mental abilities are working in subtle ways here. There’s an underlying Morse code tapping away all around us, and the space between the dots and dashes is as important as the dots and dashes themselves. This is what we need to tune into during this retrograde. Take a good look at what is not being said, what is left out, what’s hidden or secret, or what seems to make no sense on a surface level.

Mercury/Hermes is also the Trickster, and one way that this Mercury RX will teach us is by bringing in situations that raise confusion, seems like cosmic jokes, or are just plain weird. Messages are scrambled, connections are missed, things break down, and we have to go down a new path. We write down an address wrong and show up someplace other than where we intended. These are the spaces where magic can happen. Think back to those times when you have been diverted from your usual routine-but somehow it later proved to be a stepping stone that got you to where you are today. I’ve often met people who have been very important my life entirely by accident, or one person who I wound up knowing for a very short time would seem to pop up mainly as a conduit to another person who proved to be a great friend, influence or teacher. Keep your eyes open for these things! With Mercury Retrograde in Virgo, the signs are everywhere, we just need the discernment to see (and heed) them.

Valerie

Valerie Sylvester – has written 15 posts on Tarot Elements.

Valerie Sylvester is a Professional Tarot Reader, keen astrologer, creative writer and lover of all things metaphysical. She's also a warm, charming and delightful woman. If you would like to book a private or public venue Tarot reading with Valerie, she can be contacted via Tarot Elements.