***This is the follow-up article to my article “Mercury Retrograde and the Elements” published on 2 December 2023. If you’ve not read it, it can be found here.
If you are reading these words, that means you survived the Mercury Retrograde. For some people it has been a really close call - Alaska Airlines for example. If something is amiss, you can bet that Mercury is going to bring it to the fore. I have often had things breakdown or misbehave during a Mercury Retrograde - and did I mention the bad weather and all the cancellations? The bad weather is really putting a Harsh on Your Mellow while we are coming out of this aspect, making life rather difficult for many across the nation - and indeed across the world. The historic snowstorms and the Arctic cold blast here in the states, as well as record breaking floods in England.
After this aspect we still have about two weeks until the planet gets up to complete speed, so even though Mercury went direct on 1 January, according to my colleague Jessica Adams, we have until 21 January to be completely free and clear. So it ain’t over yet. Indeed. At this moment I am taking a break from preparing my yard for the freeze that is coming - and I am getting all my flowerbeds prepared for the cold weather. You see, I live in Texas - where we can't keep the lights on. As the weather gets hotter during the summer and colder in the winter, our governor keep telling us what a great state we live in but we live under the mercy of the weather here in Texas. So I'm trying to get this article out to you just in case the lights go out.
Direct Mercury - The Jet Lag
Look at the picture above. That kinda gives you the perspective of what it's like after a Mercury Retrograde. The world can seem kind of askew depending on the experiences you've had under this aspect. But you should immediately feel a sense of relief what's the aspect has completely ended. Your internal clock get in tune with the external world and life may seem good again. It's easier to move forward with your plans and your thoughts and feet are marching together again rather than being in conflict.
Because of the processing intensity produced by a Mercury retrograde, it may take a little time to feel like you have fully landed in the present again. In the first days of this Mercury direct phase you could be experiencing mental fatigue and not thinking quite as sharp. It is as though our mental faculties are making readjustment to this change of direction. Sometimes it is a slow process, so don't worry if this occurs. The rest of the world is making the same transition and remember that all of the people on the planet undergoing the same thing.
It takes a large considerable amount of time for a ship to make a U-turn end it takes the earth itself 24 hours to turn on its axis - and we often forget this. Therefore the less you look back at what you may have had to endure during the retrograde phase, the better off you will be. You may have experienced a feeling becoming more tired than usual during the first few days of direct motion if so it is the energy of the shift from retrograde to direct motion that has caused this to happen. The mind and body need time to move according to the change Mercury’s motion - it's like shifting from daylight savings time to standard time or when you take a plane trip to a different time zone, then after you land there is jet lag.
And you won't respond the same way every time following a Mercury retrograde because there could be a occasions when you hit the ground running as soon as Mercury turns direct. These are the Mercury retrogrades that will challenge you to find the inner strength and will power to proceed full speed ahead once again.
Correcting Mistakes After Mercury Is Direct
Maybe during the retrograde you find that you have made a mistake. This could be while you are working on a project or you may have miscalculated your finances. It is in evitable that doing somethings over and over again, is going to be necessary while are you dealing a retrograde time period. But don't be too upset by this because, you may perceive a better way of doing something that will require less money and time - and that's the efficient quality of Mercury showing you a shortcut to getting something accomplished. What if you find yourself overthinking how to correct the mistake, just take a break and center your mind. The more nervous you get, the more difficult it will be to find your way out of a problem. And that's the interesting thing about Mercury retrograde. It will show you the way to fix a mistake if you don't get to frantic. There is a tendency to get bombarded by outside stimuli, yet by centering your mind, you are better able to analyze the situation.
What about communication mistakes? Do you sometimes wish that you had not said something to someone during this time period? If that occurred, you have a decision to contemplate. If you think you are going to make matters worse by trying to fix what you miscommunicated the wrong way, then it might be wiser to wait until Mercury has gained full speed. If you cannot wait, just make sure you feel mentally calm and clear before trying to communicate with the person again. Mercury has that extra special capacity to allow you to see a better way to get the message across to someone without causing too much fall out. If you think there is a good possibility that you might be too critical of the person, you would be wise to think this through clearly. If you think someone will attack you with more criticism then you can endure, steer clear of the person until the situation cools down.
Mercury is a great planet to influence you to becoming more objective when it is working favorably for you. That's why it may be good to try to see both sides of the issue rather than escalate the problem. Sometimes timing means everything and time maybe the best healer. You really can't control what comes out of someone's mouth and if their feelings are hurt - it's best to use good, clear judgment when approaching a touchy subject with that person.
And perhaps you have promised more than you can really do for someone. Now would be a good time to backtrack and more realistically offer what is possible for you to do for them. If you have a bitten off more than you can chew - this may be because of the retrograde period. Maybe you did not understand how much of your time would be taken up by the job. So you can think in terms of a win-win agreement with the other person, and this could get the best results and lesson any tension. Is this involves your business, it would be a good time two level with your clients to make sure your expectations on the same page.
Challenges of the Retrograde Period
Remember that anything that frustrated you during the virtual great phase can be converted into and more positive experience. Mercury retorgrade offers extra intensity to pay attention to the details. It is always a good idea to make sure you are taking a second look to ensure you have not overlook something important. Editing an idea or project is often easier to do during a retrograde Mercury. The thing you most need to watch out for is not becoming shortsighted and not seeing the big picture - and so don't obsess over the little details. Try not to get lost and worry about the outcome of certain situations. Maintaining a positive attitude makes for a much better retrograde experience, and negativity ways down your opportunities for success. Try to keep your expectations reasonable - this is the surest method to avoid frustration.
Believing in your ability is essential. Listen to your intuition to guide and have faith in your talent and there is no end to how well things can go. Remember that Mercury - I like the element of quicksilver - can allow you to adapt to changing circumstances. If you become to inflexible you may miss out on opportunity - for instance, something that presents itself as too big of a risk could be your ticket to abundance. Experiences the challenge your comfort zone may be chances to stimulate your mind into new ways of thinking.
Your Reward Once Mercury Turns Direct
Depending on what you have going on in your life, the retrograde phase of Mercury may have left you feeling battered and bruised, exhausted I am feeling a bit dejected. But take heart! You're probably not the only one. The Universe is simply trying to relax your mental intensity and that of everyone else - it is providing you with the opportunity to perhaps learn more productive ways of being and to express your ideas. What looked like a huge mountain to climb was not so big after all, and sometimes in the mist of chaos you can certainly see your way out of a jam. The stress of your mind could have made your problems appear bigger than they were.
Our mind can discover new insights because many things can be revealed to us during a Mercury retrograde. This may not be so obvious when it turns direct because we can be feeling all discombobulated, tense and anxious. Renewal is possible or maybe even a rebirth. Mental cleansing sometimes takes place during a retrograde. Negative emotions can get removed - although during the retrograde phase many of us are in the habit of not readily giving them up. Our attachment to old thought patterns is strong. But this is just a part of being human, yes? There is nothing wrong with establishing routines, for we all need them to feel grounded and secure. Yet, a retrograde period says that it is time to transcend worn out ideas and trade them in for something new.
Even though most of us dread the phrase “Mercury retrograde” because we know a lot the time of it can be a real pain - but it is really a gift of this mysterious cycle - hidden in apparent confusion, we may learn the answers as to how to rise above an obstacle on our path.
If you listen to The Magician card, he tells you “As Above, So Below”. That saying is not just meant how you think or what you think - it is about the cycles of the Universe.
If you can embrace those cycles, that is the true reward.
Such helpful advice, thank you. Fits for me absolutely in some points, grateful
Great read Tara...I was born with mercury retrograde and have alway sailed through these times ! Doesnt appear to affect me...
♑️♑️💞Naomi