As I was drafting this post about Mercury retrograde in Virgo, my internet went down. It turned out to be a major outage lasting several days, as the fibre cables had been damaged – I suspect as the result of some of major building projects underway in the city in which I live. The internet connection not working because of damage caused by routine construction works is peak Mercury retrograde in Virgo.: Fortunately, my broadband is now fixed – but I then discovered some serious faults on my website that needed urgent repair. And my car needs new brakes. I’m done with Mercury retrograde in Virgo before it even gets started!
In a broader context – it pretty much sums up where the world is now. A lot of stuff seems in need of repair. From the beginning of the first shadow phase of Mercury retrograde in Virgo – that began on July 16th – you may have noticed a few things break down. In your personal life, technical problems, misunderstandings or plans being altered last minute are things we most associate with Mercury retrograde. Each Mercury retrograde has its own unique fingerprint – and in this post, I hope I can help you to find the culprit responsible for any glitches in your life that occur during the Mercury retrograde period.
Mercury Retrograde in Virgo: The Basics
Mercury stations on August 5th at 04˚06′ Virgo (04:56 UT) and then goes into reverse gear, travelling back from Virgo into Leo. It will station and turn direct on August 28th at 21˚24′ of that sign, before leaving the ‘shadow zone’ on September 11th, when it – once again – reaches 04˚06′ Virgo. When Mercury moves in retrograde motion, that is simply how it looks to us from our vantage point on Earth. In reality, Mercury follows its path around the Sun without interruption – even if the relative difference in speed between the Earth and Mercury suggests otherwise.
Astrologically, Mercury retrograde gives us a breathing space – and it’s one we should always use to rectify, reassess and improve any situation that needs it. That’s especially true with Mercury retrograde in Virgo – the sign of repairs and improvement. Personally, I find retrograde periods that cross signs to be the most interesting because the difference in the two signs (in this case Virgo and Leo ) shows that the issues – and how we deal with them – need very different approaches. Adjacent signs are always alien in nature, so what do Virgo and Leo tell us about this Mercury retrograde?
Virgo is rational, considered, analytical and methodical. It’s great at getting down to detail and making constructive criticism. Leo is flamboyant, dramatic and performative. So, what this Mercury retrograde is suggesting as an overall theme, is that some critical analysis needs to be applied to something (or someone) that’s been playing up. If your natal chart has strong connections with this retrograde (particularly the degrees of both the retrograde and the direct stations) you will be in no doubt about where this energy needs to be applied.
As ever, the effects of Mercury retrograde in Virgo can also be seen in world around us – wherever you live, I’m sure you’re aware of things that need constructive criticism and are ripe for improvement. Mercury’s retrograde motion into Leo offers us a clue to what the most troublesome issues are – and also offers a potential solution. So, what has been causing you – and all of us – a problem? Is it egotism, pride, attention seeking, vanity, arrogance or constant, energy draining drama? Is it excess, jealousy, vengefulness, immaturity – or all of the above?
When Mercury turns direct in Leo, it suggests that. the positive qualities of Leo will be key to turning things around. Fortunately, Leo is a sign of leadership and stepping up to the challenge will help you to negotiate your way through this Mercury retrograde. You will need courage, determination, confidence, passion and a creative approach. All of those are Leo strengths – and the good news is they are available in abundance and ready to be used. This Mercury retrograde in Virgo follows the new moon in Leo – and that new moon has the potential for positive words and actions if (and it’s a big if) its influence is well-used.
Mercury Retrograde in Virgo: The Chart
The chart for Mercury retrograde in Virgo tells us more about the nature of this retrograde period. As it stations, Mercury is conjunct Venus in Virgo and is also at the apex of a ‘Yod’ configuration with Neptune – now on the last degree of Pisces – and Pluto retrograde at 0˚ Aquarius. I’ve written a lot about about Neptune in Pisces and Pluto in Aquarius; Neptune transiting its own sign has been a massive (and problematic) influence over recent years, and Pluto changing signs is bringing its own challenges. (If you want to read more, follow the links at the end of this post). Let’s look at the aspects in more detail:
Mercury retrograde Conjunct Venus
This aspect shows a need for mindful negotiation, particularly where issues of love and money are concerned. Maintaining peace and harmony is likely to be a challenge – both in your private life and in the public domain (anyone who has read the news about riots in the UK will be in no doubt about that). It may be a challenge to keep your own peace of mind – something that is often overlooked during a Mercury retrograde – though it’s highly appropriate with Mercury in Virgo. It’s a challenge that must be met, as Venus suggests the cost of not doing so would be a price that you’re unwilling to pay.
And that’s not simply a challenge in financial terms, as Venus suggests having to come to terms with losing something dear to you in a personal sense – and that may be material or relational. Mercury retrograde in Virgo tells us that you need to be realistic and reassess your attitudes towards relationships, the material world and – at a deeper level – your value system – and that applies at a social as well as a personal level. Reappraising your values and having the courage to live by them is one of the lessons contained in this Mercury retrograde.
Mercury Retrograde in Virgo: The Yod
Virgo is an educational sign – it teaches us life’s lessons – and that’s also relevant in the context of this Mercury retrograde. At the time of the retrograde station (shown in the above chart) the Mercury – Venus conjunction is at the apex of a Yod, the ‘finger of fate’ aspect pattern. A Yod is a real soul test; incidents and events are going to give you the opportunity to test your value system. Are your values robust? Are they resilient? It’s about evaluation and discrimination – and reacting courageously to situations over which you have no control.
A yod requires adjustment to a new and different set of circumstances – but how you adjust is, ultimately, up to you. One thing is certain: this Mercury retrograde in Virgo is the universe’s way of bringing our attention to many of the issues signified by the long term Neptune – Pluto sextile that’s currently signifying some real and intense challenges to the way we experience the world. The first of those challenges is to let go of dreams and unrealistic expectations – and confronting untruths and misinformation where we encounter it. The second challenge is to be prepared to start over. Right from the beginning.
No-one ever said things were going to be easy – especially this year, which has been noted by many astrologers (including me) as a volatile, transitional moment. When the outer planets are in the process of changing signs (as they will do over the next year or so), it’s a destabilising influence for everyone. This Mercury retrograde is tuned into that process; we’re in new territory, so it’s time to acknowledge that fact and get used to it. Sometimes the most difficult conversation is the one you need to have with yourself.
Further Reading
Neptune in Pisces: It’s A Seriously Bad Trip
Neptune Transits Pisces: The Big Lie
Transits | Pluto in Aquarius: The Trailer
Pluto in Aquarius: What Happens Next?
The Big 2024 Horoscope: The Year Ahead
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© Sara Shipman 2024
Picture Credit: Image by Image by Bruno from Pixabay
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