Have you been feeling your life slow down lately? Has your thinking seemed a little fuzzy?
If so, you’re right on schedule: Mercury, the messenger planet, goes retrograde once again on May 18 at 7:50 p.m. CDT (May 19 at 1:50 a.m., Greenwich time). It remains retrograde until June 11.
Ultra Powerful Retrograde
This retrograde is more powerful than any we’ve seen since 2008. That’s because Mercury is in Gemini, one of the two signs it rules, and will be in the sign of the Twins throughout the entire retrograde period. The last time we saw Mercury retrograde in Gemini was in late May and the first half of June in 2008.
When Mercury moves through Gemini, its energies become ultra powerful, just as any planet occupying a sign it rules becomes empowered because it is emphasized or “dignified” according to astrology.
More Gemini Planets Amp Up The Energy
We’ll see even more Gemini energy in play during the retrograde, however:
- The Moon moves into Gemini a few hours after the retrograde starts and remains there until May 20, when it heads into the sign it rules, Cancer. The Moon rouses our emotions, memories, and need for security; in Gemini, it gives us an opportunity to fuse feeling with thought and to balance the water and air elements within ourselves.
- The Sun joins Mercury in Gemini May 21 and remains there until June 21. The Sun always “shines a light” on the sign it occupies, pushing us to make the most of that sign’s energies. In this case, we succeed when we become aware of Gemini’s highest potential and do our best to live up to it.
- Mars already occupies Gemini and remains there until June 24. The warrior planet increases our drive and energy, pushing us to take action. In Gemini, that action tends to be mental and verbal, making this a good time to clear the air about old issues, as long as we take the time to “think twice” before speaking or acting.
With all this Gemini energy, now is a good time to revisit this mutable air sign by checking out all our articles and art related to the sign of the Twins. Like the fun type face in the Mercury Retrograde graphic above, Gemini brings a youthful, playful energy to life. With Mercury retrograde in this sign, what a wonderful time to rejuvenate our thinking and have fun with how versatile and creative our minds and thoughts can be.
Neptune Adds Complications, Compassion
During the entire retrograde, Neptune in Pisces will sit in a challenging square alignment with Mercury. Like Mercury in Gemini, Neptune in the sign of the Fish is strong because that’s the sign it rules.
So these two planets will have us feeling uncomfortable until we overcome an inner tension between logic and intuition, between left brain and right brain. One way to approach this dilemma is to let compassion lead us by being gentle with ourselves as we work out a good balance within ourselves. With Mercury retrograde, we’ll already feel impulses to turn within, and with Neptune nearby, we can tap spiritual powers and messages from our dreams to help us.
How To Have A Great Mercury Retrograde In Gemini
With all the emphasis on Gemini in the weeks ahead, we have a wonderful opportunity unlike any we’ve seen in seven years. Take this retrograde time to look at:
- How you think
- What you think
- How your mind and thoughts influence your life
The Moon in Gemini right at the start of this period will help us remember on all planes and let in nurturing thoughts along with the hard, logical ones. The Sun in Gemini will help us align our minds with our hearts. And Mars in Gemini will give us the drive to dive deep within to succeed in this inner adventure.
Wishing you an insightful, “heart and mind united” retrograde,
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