IMAGE: JORDAN CHAMBLEE
Ah. Mercury retrograde. We know all about it. We remember that we must back up our computers and we cringe a bit knowing that things could possibly not go as planned. Yes we know all about the traditional responses it elicits. But could we look at it this time around, and see the silver lining? Can we see that setbacks and delays and things not going our way are timely and can reveal to us much needed wisdom and insight that is an appropriate part of the process?
What is the gift of this time? Mercury goes retrograde in watery, dreamy Pisces. What does this mean and how can we best use this time of delays to benefit and expand the projects and the work we are involved with? In not pushing forward, we are asked to step back and open up our receptivity. What do we need to see? What inspiration and insight will come through in the silence, in slowing down to see the big picture? In Pisces we can access tremendous creative force to channel all forms of expression.
Here are the Astral Insights from the best readers of the planetary movements…
First from Dipali Desai and her Celestial Space Astrology:
“Imagine tranquil waters within the mind where the chatter ceases and only quietness remains where thoughts are clear. Imagine droplets of inspiration coming in and storing them in a beautiful box until you are ready to act on them. This is all very possible as Mercury shifts into retrograde phase in the sign of Pisces at 19 degrees on February 23rd through March 17th, 2013 ends at 5 degrees Pisces.”
“As Mercury in Pisces transit unfolds, we are given plenty of opportunity to restore peace within the mind, practice being still or in silence, being receptive and open as well as acceptance of the higher purpose to things in life.”
“Be attentive to the realm of feelings, intuition and perception beyond borders and boundaries. Mercury in Pisces symbolizes thinking with fluidity and speaking with sensitivity. How do our words, thoughts and ideas make us feel or others feel? It is possible to revise or review our perceptions and see if they are viewing things through dualistic point of view the: right/wrong, good/bad, high/low etc. or a more unified Soul-level perception. With the Soul-level or higher perspective, one is able to flow right to the heart of the insight and gain better understanding of the nature and purpose of the issue, lesson and experience.”
“Mercury is the planet that symbolizes communication, thinking and the rational processes within the mind, siblings and short-term travel.  The astrological sign of Pisces is a water element, therefore we are invited to dive into the world of feelings, emotions, non-linear, intuitive, mystical, Spiritual, creative processes and the imagination…”
“With Mercury retrograde in Pisces, key issues around emotional aspect of life and experience are up for review and reflection. We must look closely at which illusions keep us from seeing clearly or perceiving from a Soul-level. We may be returning to old stuff around communication and thinking. It is possible people from the past resurface and you have a chance to heal or resolve something. Use this to help restore peace within the mind and mental energy. It is helpful to forgive and allow yourself to heal to move forward in your life.”
“One example of how to work with this Mercury Retrograde in Pisces is having small increments (or longer) of time where one is silent. No words or reading or thinking. Simply being and basking in silence and stillness. Total relaxation for the mind, body emotions, and Spirit. There are wonderful retreats where one rests in silence. And whatever comes up in the space of quiet reflection one is able to pay attention to. This is a meditation as well.”
“Mercury retrograde is not to blame, nor is any other planet in Astrology.  This or any retrograde phase has symbolic meaning and it is there to help you understand what shift in Consciousness is happening and how it influences your life. Some situations with astrological aspects may be literal. Yet, if you give your power away and blame or a retrograde phase you will feel very helpless. Remain empowered, use the symbols in Astrology so they are supporting to you to recognize and face the issues coming up within Consciousness now.”
   Retrograde Begins: February 23rd, 2013 at 19+ degrees Pisces
   Direct Motion: March 17th, 2013 at 5 degrees Pisces
   Out of the Retrograde zone: on April 6th, 2013 when Mercury is at 19+ degrees Pisces
It is helpful to:
Give the nervous system some quiet time, meditate, relax, be non-linear and creative.
Clear out debris, clutter, shred old papers, clear away old paper-work.
Organize, sort, label and store
leave plenty of extra time for travel, in between appointments and triple check details around work/travel/emails.
People from the past revisit or resurface via communication
Revisit old issues and unresolved situations to bring healing and resolution
Revise, restore, review, recheck… all the “Re†activities is great to engage in under a Mercury Retrograde phase”           Â
© Copyright 2013 – Dipali Desai. All Rights ReservedÂ
From Molly Hall from About:com/Astrology:
“Mercury retrograde gives us time to catch up with ourselves, and reflect. Something from the past returns in a different form. People, ideas or buried insights that are keys to moving forward, float to the surface. Often it’s felt as a slowed down, contemplative time, and depending on the sign, a chance to go over old ground again, to claim what you missed the first time.”
“There’s a long-held belief that it’s best to avoid making set plans during the Mercury Retrograde. This means holding off on signing contracts, and forming partnerships and alliances. What gets put in writing at this time may turn out to need serious revising after Mercury goes direct. But since tying up loose ends is the domain of retrograde, this type of finalization might fly.”
“Some dreams and goals get lost in the hectic rushing around of daily life. The Mercury Retrograde period can be a rich time of reflection on those longings. This makes it a time for the soul to ponder its destiny. You might look over old journals, review your creative work, muse on serendipities of the past that have pointed you toward your spirit’s calling. It can make the retrograde period a time of solidifying a sense of your personal story and where you’re headed.”
© Copyright 2013 – Molly Hall. All Rights ReservedÂ
Some interesting points form Cafe Astrology.com:
“There is absolutely a positive side to Mercury Retrograde. This period is best used for re-organizing and reflecting. We look at the world a little differently–through different filters–and can come up with some very important inner revelations. It may be difficult to communicate them under this influence, but not everything needs to be rationalized.”
“Mercury retrograde periods can be times of heightened inner awareness, when meditation, benefiting from keeping a journal, reworking old plans, and reviewing past work are favored…”
“It is important to note that there is absolutely no reason to suspend projects or anything of the sort during the Mercury Retrograde cycle. It’s not an ideal time to start new ones or to sign contracts, simply because a change of mind is very possible once Mercury turns direct. However, it’s a fabulous time to do some “outside of the box” thinking. Acting on our ideas, however, might be best left for a Mercury Direct period.”
© Copyright 2013 – Cafe Astrology.com. All Rights ReservedÂ
From Sherene Schostak from Astrology.com:
“Can I sail through the changing ocean tides?â€
— Fleetwood Mac
“…The best way to use this influence is to embrace the non-verbal realms or more symbolic realms of communication, like poetry, dance, photography, paintings or music. Believe it or not, these will deliver more clarity than words now.”
“The intention and feeling behind words is what counts now, and it’s what people will feel. Body language and energy speaks volumes. There is an oceanic feeling in our minds as we sift through the debris of our past. “
© Copyright 2013 – Sherene Schostak. All Rights Reserved
In Pythia Peay ‘s book Mercury Retrograde: It’s Myth and Meaning, she talks about delays, set-backs and doubts that which might discourage one from our dreams and plans. She says:
“Astrologers, however, know that three or four times a year, for a period of twenty-one days, there is a greater likelihood that our plans may be thwarted. They call this period Mercury Retrograde. This thrice-yearly astrological event that is said to throw schedules off-kilter, derail the best laid plans, cast doubt in personal relationships, and make computers malfunction and cars break down. Under its influence the daily commerce of daily life slows to a crawl and becomes backed up, tied up, and mired in confusion and anxiety…”
“Yet for all the confusion that surrounds Mercury Retrograde, it contains within it a vein of gold-if only we would mine it for its true worth. By working with the slower place of Mercury Retrograde, rather than going against it, we can allow ourselves to step outside the narrow framework of ordinary reality and see our lives from a wider perspective. Most astrologers, for instance, agree that is is a cosmically timed period to undertake any activity with the prefix re: redo, reevaluate, revise, rethink, review, reconsider, reasses.”
© Copyright 2013 – Pythia Peay. All Rights Reserved
Lastly from Pat Liles and The Power Path.com:
“A good use of your mental focus is to re-visit an unfinished project, or repair and do maintenance. Commit to a spiritual practice that dissolves boundaries between you and the invisible world and brings that sweet nectar down to the physical world. It’s not those Uranian, hand-held devices that are going to be bringing the significant communications, but your dreams, imagination and awareness of synchronicity.”
” The BIG GAME is going to be in the invisible world. Let’s look at a random list of some areas that Pisces rules seeing as how we will have so many planets in Pisces in the next six weeks. Sun, Venus, Mercury, Mars, Chiron, Neptune. You will be so glad to get out of the watery, emotional realms by the time Aries/Equinox time rolls around.”
© Copyright 2013 – Pat Liles. All Rights Reserved
So let’s be aware of this energy coming in (which we are now in the shadow of) and understand that things may be shifting a little bit. What seemed to be a certain way is shifting vantage points. Remember a setback is a matter of interpretation. Perhaps what is being revealed is, that there is another way. Tune in, spend time in silence, in sacred space, in prayer, and open up to receive guidance. Time to re-align with what is true and know that a new way, a new solution is on the horizon.
Blessings as we sail through the shifting ocean tides…..
~mm
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8 comments
Pat says:
Feb 18, 2013
Good Stuff
Carrie says:
Feb 25, 2013
Makes sense why my 11 year old asked out of nowhere (now I know where) if he could create a place of meditation in our yard.
Shann says:
Feb 26, 2013
Excellent post. Thanks for sharing several points of view about Mercury Retrograde. I’m glad I found your blog!
spoiledsoulmate says:
Feb 27, 2013
Thank goddess! I’ve always been so scared and weary of Mercury retrograde and seeking more peace with it.
April says:
Mar 17, 2013
Is it true couples break up during retrograde and are likely to reconcile after Mercury goes direct?
Erica says:
Jun 4, 2013
In 2010 by boyfriend of 10 months broke up with me at the beginning of a Mercury retrograde. We were both Aquarians, so I was positive he had made a huge mistake…and he had. We remained friends and found ourselves back together. Fast forward to this most recent retrograde: he had been quiet and reflective from the end of February thru the middle of March, but had said everything was “okay.” I gave him an out or two because his lack of communication was alarming. He didn’t take them. After the dust had settled and Mercury was back in his/her normal state, I reached out to test his emotional waters. He let me know all was okay, that he was just a bit distant with everyone and thing. Two weeks later…BOOM! Here it was…the break up… Right out of left field. But now that I look back on it, what he was saying during the retrograde didn’t hold when we came out of it, as was the story back in 2010.
All I am certain is, I’m sticking to the breakup this time around.
L says:
Jul 19, 2013
In the shadow period of merc retro, on june 19, a 9 year relationship, broke up….very sad, he accidently sent me a flirty text meant for a young girl, inappropriately young. he seemed so embarrassed to be found out doing this, he ended our friendship. this happened in the shadow period of june 19th. It is now about to go direct on the 20th and I would like to know the chances he will come back or rethink our relationship. Although we were just friends, I had still been very emotionally attached to him, and can’t understand how someone with 9 years of seeing each other and talking every day, suddenly, over night, stops communication. feel terrible as though I meant nothing to him as a friend or former lover from years ago. Very difficult. any advice? Will the end of merc retro change anything?
a says:
Feb 13, 2014
Any advice on a wedding planned for mercury retrograde? No way of changing the date at this point and don’t want a “work around” like signing papers on a different day. Advice for how to make the best of this would be amazing!