Mercury Cycles

RETROGRADE MERCURY, 2010

By now, the Mercury retrograde cycle has seeped into consciousness. People are aware of it, and are mindful of its impact. Technically, retrograde motion is the apparent backward movement of a planet as it circles the Sun, the center of our solar system. Since the Earth is also moving (rotating on its axis and revolving around the Sun), and since each planet travels at a different speed, the planets regularly appear to slow down, station (stop), and reverse direction.

We’ve come to know the signals of Mercury’s changes in direction as frustrating slowdowns and misfirings when it comes to machinery, travel, communications, or paper trails. Yet, as the cosmic messenger, Mercury’s retrograde cycle reveals a deeper quality. The Sun is an integral player in the retrograde dynamic. Mercury orbits between the Earth and the Sun, as an inner planet, along with Venus. It is never more than 28 degrees from the Sun in its revolution. Wondrously, Mercury’s retrograde motion seems to regulate this 28 degree boundary, so that it never gets too far ahead of or behind the Sun. Moving in relation to the Earth and the Sun, Mercury swings like a pendulum, balancing its movement to stay in rhythm. Flying fast on winged foot, Mercury carries messages to and from the Sun, as noted in the degrees they exchange during the cycle. Perhaps the message is a prescriptive (Rx) healing balm, as mythologically, Mercury carries the caduceus.

We think of Mercury’s cycle as a three week period, occurring three times per year. This is usually the day Mercury goes Retrograde, and the day Mercury turns Direct. The complete cycle, however, extends over two months, and involves interior and exterior conjunctions. In working with the complete cycle, I have noticed there is often a resonance between the degree of Mercury and the degree of the Sun during these times, as if they dance, change places, and reiterate a zodiacal emphasis, passing on a message. Sometimes it is the Sun that has something to say; other times it is Mercury. And sometimes, they just dance. In the cycle list below, I’ve included Rudhyar’s Sabian Symbol for this resonant degree. Taken at any level of meaning (literal, allegorical, or mystical), this symbol can offer clues for decoding the message Mercury carries, especially if there is resonance with a specific natal point.

(These dates are taken from calculations for Noon Greenwich Mean Time, and may adjust slightly for different locales.)

Any residuals from April Rx Mercury cycle will be resolved and wrapped up on June 28, when Mercury makes the exterior conjunction with the Sun at 6 + Cancer. With the Lunar Eclipse 2 days earlier, pulling in the transformative, empowering energies of Pluto, and Mercury supporting the Sun component of this eclipse, emphasis is on the power of thought when it comes to family in balance with social standing.

Cycle #3 August 20 – D September 12, 2010

Significance: Mercury speaks, and the Sun shines the message.
Resonant Degree: 19 +Virgo

Sabian Symbol: A group of settlers start on their journey in old cars.

Process:
1.   Outward swing, Mercury Rx on August 20
      Mercury at 19 Virgo 02;   Sun at 28 Leo 20
      (investigation)

2. Interior conjunction with Sun and Rx at 10 Virgo 53
(illumination)

3. Mercury D on September 12
(discrimination)

Mercury 5 Virgo 23; Sun 19 Virgo 37

4. Exterior conjunction with Sun and D at 24+ Libra on October 17, 2010.

(resolution)

Cycle #4 December 10 – D December 29/30, 2010

Significance: Mercury carries the Sun’s message of Capricorn energies.
Resonant Degree: 19 + Sagittarius

Sabian Symbol: Men cutting the ice of a frozen pond, for summer use.

Process:
1.   Outward swing, Mercury Rx on December 10
      Mercury at 5 Capricorn 51;   Sun at 19 Sagittarius 19
      (investigation)

2. Interior conjunction with Sun and Rx at 28 + Sagittarius on December 19, 2010
(illumination)

3. Mercury D on December 30, 2010
(discrimination)

Mercury 19 Sagittarius 38; Sun 8 Capricorn 40

4. Exterior conjunction with Sun and D at 7 + Pisces February 26, 2011.

(resolution)

Details on Complete Process
Although we think of Mercury’s cycle as a three week period, the complete cycle extends over two months. There are four specific astronomical steps to each cycle, as described below:

Step 1: Swing Ahead, then Retrograde (Rx: investigation phase)
When it reaches its greatest eastern elongation or swing (which can be up to 27 degrees ahead of the Sun), it begins to slow down, until approximately 2 weeks later, it stops (Stations) to turn Retrograde.

Step 2: Interior Conjunction, Retrograde and Slow ( Int. Conj.: illumination phase)
This Retrograde motion allows the Sun to catch up; approximately 10 days later, Mercury and Sun join up again in the Interior (Inferior) Conjunction. Rx, Mercury is now interior, between the Earth and the Sun, and closest to Earth.

Step 3: Fall Behind, then Direct (D: discrimination phase)
Mercury begins to fall behind the Sun. Within 2 weeks, it reaches its greatest western elongation, stations again, and turns Direct.

Step 4: Exterior Conjunction, Direct and Fast (Ext. Conj. : resolution phase)
When the Sun and Mercury conjoin at Exterior (Superior) Conjunction, Mercury is farthest from Earth. Mercury moves forward for 3 weeks, speeds ahead of the Sun, as if energized, and rises before the Sun.

Throughout these four phases of each cycle, there is a reflective internal process happening simultaneously. The Retrograde point marks the initial investigation, during which there can be high anxiety, a sense of being overworked and overwhelmed. There may be some unresolved issue that requires a deeper search, particularly if the degree of Rx makes a natal contact.

In the illumination phase, Mercury is at its Interior Conjunction. Here, the mental circuits are active, and there is a sense of efficiency and clarity.

When Mercury is Direct, there is the discrimination phase, where analysis, review, and revision are the order of the day.

During the resolution phase, Mercury is at its Exterior Conjunction, moving fast, with the results of efforts to be enjoyed.