Mercury Retrograde November 2018: Minds Blossoming into Possibility


Posted on November 17, 2018 by Henry Seltzer of ASTROGRAPH.COM
 

Mercury Retrograde is an astrological phenomenon that has become notorious for missed connections, miscommunications, malfunctioning electronics, travel snafus, fender benders, etc. Among the seeming drawbacks and headache-inducing circumstances, however, Mercury Retrograde periods are also a time when greater awareness and mindfulness can be employed to connect with a more esoteric level of information, uncovering rich potentials for reflection, renewing, slowing down, and resting in meditative silence in order to attune to inner realities. These themes are encouraged now, during this RE-trograde period, along with anything beginning with 're.' Re-organize, reflect, relax, re-communicate, re-prioritize, rewind. It is a time when it is highly beneficial to pause and take stock of the tremendous growth and evolution that has been happening within and around each of us. It is generally not a good time to start a brand new project, make impulsive purchases, or sign a new contract. The astrological thinking is that the matter will dramatically alter once Mercury turns direct, or even longer: perhaps only after escaping its shadow. Mercury changes to direct motion on December 6th, and escapes its retrograde shadow by Christmas.

Mercury stations retrograde on November 16, 2018 at 13º Sagittarius. Sagittarius is not the favored zodiacal environment for Mercury, and can look like runaway trains of thought, grandiose ideas that are challenging to actualize, overestimating what is actually possible given the constraints of material reality, exuberant communication styles that lack forethought or mindfulness, or righteousness in ideology. Mercury plodding retrograde through Sagittarius could, however, be conducive of things like exploring how we relate to our thoughts and mental constructs, and could also encourage us not taking ourselves or our beliefs too seriously. It might therefore be important for the remainder of the year to take time out for fun and relaxation, and to be looking for where we could be more open to possibility, or for trying new ways of seeing things.

Another notable facet of this retrograde is that the 13-degree mark of Mercury’s station is in perfect square to Neptune at 13 degrees of his home sign of Pisces. This lends a large measure of spiritual attunement to this retrograde period, and yet also might prove to be confusing in terms of the physical plane. We are reminded of kindness and compassion, and come to a recognition of the love that imbues all of life. We also may become lost in the fogs of illusion and uncertainty that can arise with a strong Neptune influence operating through our merely 3D mental apparatus. We may want to ask ourselves whether we can trust our own thoughts, alone. Without the love in our heart, the sensations of our bodies, and the wisdom of our Soul’s essence, our minds can be very tricky critters! It may do us well during this retrograde to be mindfully aware of how we are with our mental constructs. How can we be loving and gentle in relating to our mentality, yet simultaneously discerning and curious about how our own thoughts and beliefs have come to pass, and to occupy our neural networks? A gentle inquiry into these realms may be helpful as this time of inward reflection washes over us! A sprinkle of trust in the wisdom of life can be our north star as we navigate through these difficult yet enchanting mists. May we learn to bear kind and discerning witness to our own thoughts and beliefs during this extraordinary time. And may we do our best to allow our minds to become supple, soft and open to the infinite wisdom of the Divine.


Important Dates:

November 16 – Mercury Stations Retrograde at 13º Sagittarius (square Neptune in Pisces): Mind meets Spirit; inward turning reflection; slowing down.

November 25 – Retrograde Mercury square Mars in Pisces: Hard truths; laser focus; beware of harsh words.

November 27 – Retrograde Mercury conjunct Sun and Jupiter in Sagittarius: Allow the mind to blossom into the realm of infinite possibility.

December 1 – Retrograde Mercury enters late Scorpio: Expansion and learning takes a further turn toward depth; dancing with the mystery.

December 4 – Retrograde Mercury trines Chiron in Pisces: Re-visitation of old pain and stuck patterns; examining how beliefs and thoughts can tend to cement wounds into place. Employ mental flexibility in support of transforming your pain into power and wisdom.

December 5 – Retrograde Mercury conjunct the Balsamic Moon in Scorpio: Releasing that which no longer serves you. Make space in yourself and your world for new seeds to grow.

December 6 – Mercury stations direct at 27º Scorpio and New Moon in Sagittarius: The tides begin to turn. Plant seeds of intention.

December 12 – Mercury moving forward re-enters Sagittarius: Integrate new philosophies and ideals.

December 23 – Mercury escapes its retrograde shadow: Forward motion with fresh perspectives.