This Mercury retrograde is in Virgo, which rules health, healing, service, work, small pets, and well-being
Mars and Venus both in Libra will bring resolution into the situations that have been at odds, giving us new information to revise our attitude and approach.
Full Moon on August 24th brings us important intuitive messages
Mercury is retrograde from August 20th to September 12th. Mercury's shadow period begins July 31st and ends September 27th. In the shadow period you begin to notice Mercury retrograde things happen. In the numbers games you find your dreams may take more time to come out, or come out so fast you can’t play them, there are many back numbers, and the one you forgot tends to fall. It will often pop out triples around its turning point. Always check your tickets to see that they are correct before you rush off. Personally I try not to play because I make mistakes but my second biggest hit (25G) was during a retro Merc. It just means your plans may change or not bring fruit untill they are changed. I wanted to go to the race track so I did a horary astrology chart and it said I would win. I really needed money at that point in time so I took what little I had, bet about half of it and lost my shirt. On the way home I got frustrated and said " I NEED SOME MONEY" I heard a number, played it for $50 straight. It fell. The astrology chart was right, my thinking was askew. I played my game at the track but had to play over again (changing the game), to see results of my chart. Retro Merc at work.
As the planet of communication, Mercury retrograde tends to breed a certain level of confusion and delay. It is a "do over" period. It's a time when being careless with money, our personal information, or paperwork can be costly. Check your tires, license and insurance and be prepared. Tune up the PC, keep your AV current, not a good time to sign a contract or begin a new venture, However if you can start and finish a project during the cycle it can be productive for you.
There is a positive side to Mercury Retrograde. This period is best used for re-organizing and reflecting. It brings many ideas (most of which will change later) and is a good time to journal your thoughts. It helps you prepare for changes, learn patience, and laugh at minor irritants knowing it is just a time to focus your thought. Minor breaks in the mechanical aspects of communication (cars, computers, phones) can re-connect us to other means of communication. It usually brings someone from the past to light. Another plus is that the aggressor loses. Remain calm and objective and give ''them'' enough rope. You lose things, usually keys... but you find lost things too.
Not everyone feels the effects of Mercury retrograde. Those born with Mercury retrograde in their natal chart may not notice its effects. My boyfriend 's horse stepped on and shattered an expensive camera during a retro Mercury. It was his sisters camera. He was born with Mercury retrograde..she was not.
Pay close attention to what you say an particularly around the days of Mercury's stations (August 29th and September 12th) to avoid arguments.
During the Merc retro cycle things are often not as they seem. If you remember that and be calm a bad situation usually turns out to be a misunderstanding.
Aries and Aries Ascendant: Solar sixth house - Focus when it comes to work, health matters, and pets. Work-related, mistakes can frustrate you. Double-check your work. It would be wise to be especially clear when it comes to communicating with co-workers and health professionals
Taurus and Taurus Ascendant: Solar fifth house - extra care in romance, children, gaming, and creativity is needed. Be as non-judgmental as you can with romantic partners and your children. You may need to revisit old issues with your children or lover. Arguments with a lover may be blown out of proportion too easily. Both you and your lover should avoid harping on the words used and try to get to the meaning behind the words instead. Calls that are not returned, a lover is late for a date, dates get cancelled, or a past lover reappears. Speculation and gambling are not a good focus for now.
Gemini and Gemini Ascendant: Because Mercury is your sign's ruler, all of the Mercury Retrograde issues apply. Solar fourth house - Extra care should be exercised when it comes to family relations, real estate matters, and domestic issues. It may be challenging to keep a healthy perspective regarding deeply personal matters and family. Family members may be on edge, or appear to be. Try to hold off on household repairs if you can. I never seem to be able to and have to have it done over. Put off decision-making with regards to home improvement, moving, and family matters for the time being. This is a good time for observing your attachments and gaining a new perspective on them.
Cancer and Cancer Ascendant: Your intuition usually serves you very well, but may not be up to par for the time being. It is there, but mental activity crowds the intuitve now. Solar third house- Proofread letters, emails, phone calls, and with communications in general take the time to think. There may be the need to revisit old, nagging issues with siblings or neighbors, errands could go wrong with transportation problems. You may be forgetful during this cycle, and it makes sense to allow yourself extra time to get to appointments, if they are not cancelled in the first place.
Leo and Leo Ascendant: Major financial initiatives should be avoided. Remember to take what you hear with a grain of salt. Solar second house - extra care should be exercised when it comes to financial matters. There may be the need to evaluate old, nagging issues regarding personal finances. Some money-making ideas or ventures will be put on hold due to circumstances beyond your control.
Virgo and Virgo Ascendant: You are ruled by Mercury, so the likelihood of being misunderstood is high. Put off career decisions as well, as career matters are Gemini-ruled for you. Solar first house - Be aware of a tendency to give off mixed signals. This is a time to review the manner in which you come across to others in terms of whether it is working for or against you. Be patient with others, they do not have the Virgo analytical mind you were blessed with
Libra and Libra Ascendant: With Virgo ruling your twelfth house sector, somebody might be deceiving you or working against you, or nagging issues from the past may crop up and demand attention. Solar twelfth house - extra care should be exercised when it comes to your own intuition. Be as aware of, and as fair with people as you can, but keep an eye out for deceptiveness and falseness in others.
Scorpio and Scorpio Ascendant: Group meetings, parties, gatherings may be postponed or cancelled, and friends may seem distant or confused. Solar eleventh house - keep in touch with friends, they need your help. And expect a good insight with games.
Sagittarius and Sagittarius Ascendant: Because Virgo and Gemini are on the angles of your chart, you may be especially sensitive to all of the Mercury Retrograde issues. Solar tenth house - be very clear when communicating with the public, superiors, and co-workers. Communications with bosses and co-workers, and other professional matters can be tricky.
Capricorn and Capricorn Ascendant: All Mercury retrograde cycles particularly affect you in terms of communications regarding travels, legal matters, or you might experience frustrating delays that result from co-workers' errors. Travel plans may go awry, or you may just have a change of heart. Solar ninth house - care should be taken regarding forien travel, legalities, or education plans.
Aquarius and Aquarius Ascendant: eighth house - Pay paticular attention to any financial initiatives that involve shared resources. Delays are very possible when it comes to receiving support, loans, and taxes. It may be better to side-step arguments with loved ones that revolve around intimacy and sexuality. . It may be hard to rely on the input of your partner now, and money you were counting on may not be forthcoming.
Pisces and Pisces Ascendant: Solar 7th - It will be important to avoid signing any contracts or making important partnership or family/home decisions during this cycle - be as non-judgmental as you can with a partner. . An ex-partner may resurface during this cycle - not such a good thing. Misunderstandings with your partner now can do some damage if you (or your partner) focus on words said instead of the meanings behind the words. It is a good cycle in which to improve your negotiation skills.