Mercury, the Cosmic Messenger, usually goes retrograde three times a year for a brief period of about three weeks, but will be in a retrograde phase four times this year. During these phases, hiccups are likely to occur with communication, travel, transport, misunderstandings, lack of information, phone problems, breakdowns with certain appliances, machinery and component failure. This can happen because of inattention to detail, messages being unclear, or overlooking the fine print in documents. Fine-tune areas that need your attention; other people may be holding back on information that you are after, or it has simply been misplaced even lost in the mail.
Ideas and plans that begin at the onset of a retrograde period usually get delayed or put on the backburner for another time. While Mercury is retrograde, a process of review can effectively resolve problems, more so when Mercury goes back into direct motion through the zodiac. Not everyone is badly affected by a retrograde phase, due to Mercury’s condition in the natal chart; for instance, should the Messenger be retrograde at the time of birth, a retro phase in the heavens can give you the flow of tidying up loose ends, clearing paperwork, or looking at areas that need your attention.
It’s important to double-check all arrangements for possible mistakes; listen to what others have to say and make yourself clearly understood. If possible, hold off on major decisions, major purchases, verbal and written agreement and the signing of crucial documents. The year’s Mercury retrograde phases are outlined below, giving an insight into the year ahead.
December 19, 2016 – January 8th, 2017, Mercury Retrograde in Capricorn, 1st / 12th house.
This is the remainder of the Mercury retrograde phase that began last year on December 19th, in your 1st house of personality. Mercury remains retrograde at the start of January in Capricorn. You will revert to thinking about personal matters and needs. Plenty of ideas and thoughts will be racing through your mind without expressing them. Mercury then briefly re-enters Sagittarius, your 12th house of secrets, sorrows and subconscious motivations on January 4th. This is when you will delve into private concerns, possibly annoyances that you don’t want to speak about and will pretty much keep things to yourself. Mercury turns direct on the 8th in Sagittarius, then heads back into your 1st house on January 12th. You will reconsider your original plans for 2017, but in the process they are likely to change. From January 28th to February 6th, there’s every chance that you will be so busy expressing your ideas that others may not get the opportunity to squeeze a word in edgeways.
April 9th – 20th, Mercury Retrograde in Taurus, 5th /4th house
On April 9th, Mercury turns retrograde in Taurus, your 5th house of romance, creativity and speculation. The Cosmic Prankster will draw your attention to the finer points of discussions with loved ones, trying to get creative projects off the ground, and smoothing over misunderstandings in messages. You’ll value mentally stimulating games, write love notes, poetry and explore the internet for artistic ideas, but this creative phase is likely to come to a temporary standstill while other priorities take hold. Any plans for entertainment and fun activities for children will be delayed or changed. Social plans could be disrupted, delayed or cancelled. Make sure you check all information about booking arrangements and important engagements.
Mercury re-enters Aries on April 20th, your 4th house of home and family. You will now turn back to negotiations on the home front, resuming discussions and going through old documents with family members, and fine-tuning real estate agreements, legal contracts, and removalist problems. Repairs and renovations may call for further attention. This time may be spent searching through memorabilia, photo albums and researching your ancestry. You will put some semblance of order into the household, settling disputes with relatives and overcoming concerns in relationships. You will be at an advantage as the Sun sends its energy into your 5th house of romance and love relationships. You may well regret sharp words that surfaced at the end of February or during March 23rd to the 28th, for they will be raised once more from April 27th to the 30th. Mercury turns direct on May 3rd in Aries, then moves forward to re-enter Taurus, your 5th house on May 16th, remaining in a shadow phase until May 19th.
August 13th – 31st, Mercury Retrogrades in Virgo, 9th / 8th house
On August 13th, the Cosmic Prankster turns retrograde in your 9th house of the higher mind. You will be preoccupied with thoughts on knowledgeable interests, advancing your education, learning a new language, taking time to travel and broadening your outlook on life. However, there’s some likelihood of your arrangements and plans detouring with transport delays, altering travel, and studies being disrupted. News on legal matters could take longer than anticipated, as will publications, writing, marketing, and delays in receiving goods from aboard. You may well return to thinking about your spiritual and metaphysical beliefs.
On the 31st, Mercury re-enters Leo, your 8th house of sex, death and taxes. Emotions will be intense at the start; there’ll be a need to check the accuracy of finances, particularly joint resources, investments and taxes along with your other arrangements. Issues involving the home, real estate and family members will also surface. From September 1st to the 6th, you’ll be inclined to argue over financial matters but also see some disagreement in close relationships. Fortunately on September 5th, Mercury turns direct in Leo before re-entering Virgo on the 10th, when you will redirect your attention to more interesting topics including travel. Mercury will be out of his shadow phase on September 20th, just as Venus enters your 9th house. This will be superb for taking a well-earned holiday. From September 19th to the 21st, make sure the information you receive is accurate; double-check all bookings and plans as there is apt to be an air of confusion.
December 3rd – 23rd, 2017, Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius, 12th house
This will be the last Mercury retrograde phase for the year, beginning on December 3rd in your 12th house of secrets, sorrows and subconscious motivations At the start, Mercury is conjunct stern Saturn from December 1st to the 8th, when you will be deep in thought about your private concerns. On the 3rd, the Full Moon will be in Gemini, your 6th house of work and health. There’ll be concerns about secrets emerging; the health of a partner, a hospitalisation of a friend, yourself or partner are in the frame. The Sun and Venus will also transit your 12th house, giving you time to rebuild your inner strength, sort through concerns and surface in coming days with renewed energy. Events that come about from November 25th to the 30th will be in the picture once more. Mercury returns to direct motion on December 23rd, but will remain in a shadow phase until January 11th, 2018.
Lunar Life with Lady Moon
Your personal New Moon occurred on December 29th, 2016. There is no New Moon for Sea-Goats in 2017 as there were two New Moons in 2016.
Your personal Full Moon occurs on July 7th. This will have a bearing on events that took place at the end of December 2016. You will have the difficult task of overcoming your urge for power and control in relationships. You may be one-eyed in your perception of reality let alone being judgmental, therefore you must reduce your agitation with loved ones. On the positive side, your work and career could take off! Good luck with money and recognition will play a part in achieving your ambitions. This may be the time to head off for an important interview, impress authority types or your employer. However, don’t get carried away with self-importance. Maintain clear objectives for your long-range plans.
