Mercury Retrograde Transit in the Natal Chart

Much has been written about the transit of Mercury retrograde and the delays it causes: those letters that don't arrive when expected, those phone messages that weren't properly relayed, communication that becomes difficult or distorted, problems with relatives that are exacerbated, complications that arise when legal documents are signed or written contracts are entered into — the words of Mercury are given only to be recalled.

Furthermore, during the three days of Mercury's stationary period, all activities are either suspended or activated to the highest degree, becoming overwhelming. Whether Mercury's station represents a difficult period or an unparalleled opportunity for discovery and action depends on the individual's unique natal chart and their level of maturity.

Mercury moves so quickly within the zodiac cycle and in the natal chart that most people consider its influence negligible. Every year, Mercury passes through each house of our natal chart again, traverses every corner of it, transforms under the influence of each sign, forms every possible aspect with all the natal and progressed planets, and simultaneously forms aspects with all the planets transiting the sky. It's not surprising that its effects haven't been examined with the proper attention.

Insight: When the planet enters a retrograde orbit and is in its stationary period, its influence is worthy of study and investigation. Each of the natal planets in the area of the station will be activated in a peculiar way, especially if the area of Mercury's station is within two degrees of the same planet.

The energy generated by oppositions, squares, trines, and sextiles with Mercury in station is of a slightly lesser intensity, and the more precise the aspects, the stronger their influence. When Mercury in station forms significant aspects with the natal planets, the house in which it is located in a particular natal chart provides useful information. Also, the natal position of Mercury must be considered.

☿ Aspects of Natal Planets Formed by Mercury Retrograde Transit

Each specific conjunction will bring different planetary configurations to the surface, and the opposition is perhaps stronger than the square, which is already so activated that its results seem stronger than the trine and the sextile.

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Conjunction Brings different planetary configurations to the surface — the most direct and personal activation
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Opposition Perhaps stronger than the square — creates awareness through external confrontation
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Square Already so activated that its results seem stronger than trine and sextile — demands action
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Trine & Sextile Harmonious blending of energies — easier and more accessible than other types of aspects

Positive potential: Conjunctions, oppositions, and squares contain at least as much potential for a positive outcome as trines and sextiles. Every time an aspect seems truly disastrous, the problem lies not with the planets forming it, but with the individual using their energy.

Warning: Immaturity, poor planning, lack of self-discipline, and other related factors cause actions that, at best, could be characterized as "negative manifestations."

☿ Notes on the Ephemeris of Retrograde Mercury

It might seem like we're using poetic license by comparing the cycles of retrograde Mercury to the phases of the Moon, but as we examine the detailed summary of the ephemeris that follows, we discover a regular rhythm in the ebb and flow of Mercury's movement.

During a portion of its orbit, Mercury is ahead of the Sun. Certain aspects of the spiritual chemistry, as outlined by Marc Edmund Jones, are blocked by this frenetic pace of Mercury. When Mercury changes direction and moves retrograde, it is always ahead of the Sun — not always at the maximum possible distance, but as far away as the specific time of year allows.

Based on the work of Marc Edmund Jones

As it transitions from a direct to a retrograde orbit, Mercury is in conjunction with the Sun and then passes beyond it, so that when it changes direction again and returns to direct motion, Mercury is several degrees away. Now, instead of leading the Sun, Mercury is following this celestial body.

☿ Elemental Cycles

You will notice that each year presents a prominent element. Take a look at 1911, for example — all of Mercury's stations occurred in signs of Water.

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Fire → Earth Transition (1905)

  • Retrograde in Taurus → direct in Aries
  • Retrograde and direct in Virgo
  • Retrograde in Capricorn → direct in Sagittarius
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Fire Dominance (1906)

  • All stations in Aries, Leo, or Sagittarius
  • Exception: Dec 10 direct station in Scorpio (Water)
  • Signals the coming Fire–Water combination

Since Air precedes Water, the element of emphasis for 1903 was Air — each station of Mercury occurred in Gemini, Libra, or Aquarius. Earth precedes Air, so the element of emphasis for 1901 should be Earth. Here we have a combination of Air and Earth as the transition occurred: Mercury entered its retrograde orbit in Aquarius and returned to direct in Capricorn, then became retrograde again and returned to direct motion in Taurus, then retrograde in Libra and direct in Virgo, and finally, retrograde and direct in Capricorn.

Pattern: Mercury typically returns to its retrograde motion about three months after entering its direct motion. Most years have three retrograde and three direct phases, while some have four, although these latter tendencies often extend into the following year.

Written by Demetra Togka, Astrologer