Thomas Canfield
We are entering a new Mercury Retrograde cycle, with Mercury turning retrograde at 6 Sagittarius, and going back to 20 Scorpio. The Shadow period begins on Oct. 21, when Mercury is at 20 Scorpio. The Shadow period will end on Dec. 17 when Mercury returns to 6 Sagittarius. The early Shadow period can give warnings of the frustrations with Mercury Retrograde, and the later Shadow period can have leftover frustrations from the retrograde period.
In looking at the chart for when Mercury Retrograde begins, I am reminded of a line written by the humorist Stephen Leacock, who once described a man who jumped on his horse and rode off in all directions. How is such a maneuver possible? It can be done if the rider is galloping in a spiral. For Mercury Retrograde, there is a Mars conjunction, which will become exact in a few days after Mercury starts moving retrograde. This may be a period of overload, with many different tasks coming at once, and each one will require special attention. It could be a time of short tempers and feeling overworked. Persons may feel like they are being pulled in different directions when they really just want to focus on one thing.
One easing factor may be Pluto sextile Mars and Mercury Retrograde. Pluto is in the Eleventh House of Friendship and social activity. There may be friends willing to help you when you feel rushed and stressed out. Some friends may be going through the same kind of stress, and misery loves company. Putting heads together may come up with solutions for some problems, and there could be mutual understandings with deep feelings.
Mars and Mercury Retrograde will be squaring the Ascendant in Pisces, and this could be a time of false statements and masked menaces. There could be more resentment against masked ICE officers, or complaints about the lack of clarity in policy positions. More deceptions may be exposed but without the means to stop the lies. Venus is in a wide trine to the Ascendant, and there could be attempts to put a feel-good facade on events. Venus is also square Pluto, and that could lead to emotional upheaval and frayed feelings.
Fortunately, from the emotional point of view, there is a Grand Trine in Water with the Sun in Scorpio, the Moon in Cancer, and the North Node in Pisces. In spite of stress, people may be able to keep their emotions in balance. Like the rider moving in a spiral, there will be an awareness of moving in different directions, and a determination to stay the course. Even if there is rough terrain, a steady ride is possible.
An important factor to watch during the Mercury Retrograde is Jupiter Retrograde. At the time Mercury goes retrograde, Jupiter will be direct and in cooperative aspects. Jupiter is trine Saturn and Neptune (which are retrograde in Pisces) and all three are sextile Uranus (retrograde in Taurus.) Again. It is a sign of balance, but Jupiter will turn retrograde on Nov. 13, and will be that way for the rest of the year. Saturn will be turning direct on Nov. 29, still trine Jupiter Retrograde. Neptune will not turn direct until December 11, just before Mercury leaves its Shadow period.
A day of interest to watch is Nov. 20, when Mercury Retrograde moves back into Scorpio. Mercury Retrograde will be conjunct the Sun just after the Scorpio New Moon, and all three will be opposing Uranus in Taurus. It might not be the best time to buy a cell phone, since some electronics may be having difficulties with a triple opposition to Uranus. However, Mercury, the Sun, and the Moon will be trine Saturn and Neptune in Pisces as well as Jupiter in Cancer. It may be a good time for holiday fantasies, and doing some early holiday shopping. Venus will be at 15 Scorpio, and opposing the Cardinal point (for those who use the Uranian Dial.) There could be some disconnect between what people want to buy and how much they can afford to buy. Mars will be at 11 Sagittarius, not aspecting the other planets, but the next day Mars will be conjunct the Moon, and there could be some emotional resentment over what can not be bought at this time.
In December, the Moon will be conjunct Mercury just as it is leaving its final Shadow period. There could be some inspirational feelings and new ideas of what to get for holiday gifts. Unfortunately, leading up to the holidays, Venus will be squaring Saturn and Neptune, and there might not be enough money for practical or imaginative gifts. Mars and the Sun will be conjunct after the Winter Solstice, and there could be frayed tempers for the holidays. Fortunately, Venus moves into Capricorn for Christmas, and there could be some soothing feelings. Mercury and Venus will be conjunct on Christmas Eve, and it might be a good time for telling stories. It could be a time for learning new Christmas stories rather than classics like “A Christmas Carol” or “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Out of the Mercury Retrograde, we could learn new lessons about riding off in all directions, and maybe sharing those lessons might help with a Mercury/Venus conjunction on Christmas Eve.
(A quick endnote: Just after the beginning of the Mercury Retrograde shadow period when Mars and Mercury were conjunct, that was when the destruction of the East Wing of the White House began, and though we were publicly assured the East Wing would not be damaged, we all saw the horrifying pictures of the wreckage. Deception and destruction could be themes once Mercury goes retrograde and then conjuncts Mars again. Words mean nothing to someone who is determined to tear things down. More deceptive acts may require action to prevent further destruction.)
