Mercury, the planet that rules our intellect, information, and communication, goes retrograde today in Pisces. When a planet goes retrograde, it appears to us as it’s moving backwards in it’s orbit. A retrograde is a time where we slow down, and the normal energy influence of the planet moves from being exerted outwardly to an inward direction.
When Mercury goes retrograde (usually 3 or 4 times a year) we are slowed down by the Universe and have the opportunity to reflect back on what has taken place in our lives in order to review, re-edit, and revise our plans moving forward.
Mercury, effects all means of communication, writing, emails, verbal interactions and the way we express ourselves. It effects all things mechanical and electrical, and when in retrograde it causes mayhem for 3 weeks (up to 5 weeks if you factor in the shadow period both before and after the retrograde). It’s never a good time to start new things, to purchase new computers, appliances, or cars. It’s recommended to avoid signing any contracts or involve yourself with any kind of important paperwork during a retrograde.
Although there are many things we’d like to avoid during a retrograde period, life does have to go on, and so if you have to encounter some of the things that should be avoided, you really have to do your best to make sure you pay attention to the details. Often times, emails will be sent to the wrong person, computers will crash, cars will malfunction, dishwashers, washers and dryers will act up, and travel plans will go awry.
Many people dread mercury retrogrades (for good reason), but if you tap into all the positives a Mercury retrograde provides you with, you could really accomplish a lot in your inner work. It is common to have past situations, especially ones that you thought you were over, rise to the surface to rear it’s ugly head again. This is a time were exes may resurface or people from your past pop up out of nowhere.
Although it can be uncomfortable and unpleasant to have to deal with situations you’d rather not deal with, we are given these opportunities to handle these situations differently than we did in the past in order to provide a more solid closure to some of the life lessons we didn’t fully close the door on.
Regardless of what sign Mercury goes retrograde in, the classic “symptoms” of Mercury going retrograde stay the same. What adds a bit of an extra challenge (or benefit depending on how you look at it) is when you get the energetic influence of whatever sign the retrograde takes place in.
This time around, we are having Mercury retrograde in the sign of Pisces. Mercury is very uncomfortable in the sign of Pisces as the powers of Mercury are almost totally muted. Mercury being an air sign, ruling the mental plane and relying on logic and clarity in how it expresses itself outwardly, is suffocated under all of the water of Pisces as it rules intuition and emotions.
If Mercury is electricity (thoughts, ideas, and how we process information at the speed of light) then imagine what happens when this electricity gets mixed with water. Sparks fly, the brain shorts out, and we no longer have the steady electrical current to stabilize our mental plane.
You may have already been feeling the effects of Mercury retrograding in Pisces. When Mercury entered into Pisces on February 3rd, (in a direct position) many people felt like their mind got cloudy, foggy, and very vague on how they understood new information. They noticed that their train of thought was totally spacey and the intense emotions that washed over them was very disorienting not having the mental plane be able to provide logic or clarity on where these emotions were coming from. Communication began to be a challenge. People are seeming to be tongue tied, sleepy and in a world of their own. It’s been quite a time.
Unfortunately, it won’t get much better as we enter into the retrograde.
Because this is taking place in Pisces, we do have some really great benefits of this energy if we know how to focus it and work it to our advantage. This is a great time for artistic endeavours. Pisces is the dreamer, involved in art, writing, poetry, and anything that is a creative form of expression will be encouraged and supported.
It’s also a great time to work on our spiritual practice. Learning about anything to do with metaphysics, astrology, meditation, energy healing, dreams, and our psychic abilities. It’s a perfect time to move inwards, retreating from social activities to quiet the mind and let your intuition speak to you and guide you through this time of inner reflection.
Mercury retrograde is nothing to fear and in fact, I encourage you to embrace it by giving yourself permission to relax, rest, and recover. Don’t try to start new things or initiate new projects. Don’t force anything during this time. And definitely give yourself permission to take a time out as physical activity is at an all time low.
Avoid frustration by simply surrendering to whatever your day brings to you instead of swimming against the current. We need to be doing ourselves a service by allowing our minds, bodies, and souls, to recuperate before the new energetic calendar has us filled with a new vitality for life and supports us taking action in our realities.
If you require any assistance navigating these energies, download your February Forecast or book a session online.
