January 30th, 2021 brings us the new year’s very first retrograde of the swiftest planet — Mercury. This agile planet goes into retrograde in the late degrees of Aquarius, an energy that is moving into the final sign of liberation, escaping the entrapment of this world: Pisces. Aquarius rules larger groups and social organizations in society, cultural movements, collective thought (which is often very fixated or stubborn) and technology or anything that centers on progressive or egalitarian ideals. It’s about solving higher-level problems in the world, disinterested in the mundane.
Mercury retrogrades gets a bad wrap. Some retrograde transits are chaotic and downright awful. Some are really productive! Whereas others, just aren’t felt at all. It depends what zodiac sign is occupying your 6th, 8th or 12th house in your horoscope. The 6th house is your day-to-day material activities, whereas the 8th and 12th are connected to the psycho-spiritual states. Mercury (R) is a time to review things and double-check the details, all of the fine print. It’s not the time to start new legal contracts or signings. It’s better to go back and review things, rather than to initiate something new. Our thinking turns inwards and reflects on itself. It covers the whole gambit, the good, beautiful and ugly side of life.
“Look at all of these problems! How can I enjoy what I have!?”
You might find yourself saying things like this. But keep in mind, there is always something to find positivity in life. Try to not be confined to the collective madness of thought. Aquarius is governed by Saturn. It makes everything seem sterile, logical, cold and distant. Saturn typically gazes down because he is burdening a cross on his back, as seen by the Saturn glyph. Venus, on the other hand, loves to soothe and make unions. Jupiter expands. Mercury will retrograde over all of these planets and Mars will square it. And when the God of War is looking at Mercury, harsh speech ensues and friendships break. Women (Venus) will break away from patriarchal structures within society. They are going to detach from the traditional paths of our culture and from their presumed roles.
On February 8th, 2021 Mercury moves into conjunction with the Sun. As Mercury moves towards the Sun, the planet gains the power to readjust relationships and connections to social groups. But when it’s too close to the Sun, it burns to a crisp. The Sun consumes Mercury entirely to where he cannot be seen with the naked eye. This is when technology really, really breaks down for mysterious reasons. We just can’t troubleshoot why it’s happening. The qualities of Mercury go into hiding too, drained of vitality and shamed by authority (the Sun), the overall ability to manage life’s details and communicate clearly becomes unnecessarily strenuous.
Authorities will shut down group communication or collective cultural enclaves in society. Authorities shame us for what we have to say because it is counter-cultural or against the mainstream dominant order (Saturn). However, the Sun is spiritual and powerful; it purifies through burning karma. We gain greater awareness of the true problems that must be solved for the good of humanity. This is certainly indicative of a major scientific breakthrough. It might not make any front page news. The scientists must return to the drawing board and try something one last time. Only after failing, giving up and then returning to it will some ingenious idea manifest in the spheres of biology, botany, food, nutrition and agricultural sciences.
February 12th, Mercury will conjunct Venus.
Relationships and pleasure become amplified here. This is a joyous transit that aids in giving us more of the sweetness of life. The things that give us satisfaction and enjoyment in society start to come back. Mercury is figuring out how much or how little comfort people are getting.
When it comes to relationships, Venus is moving closer to Saturn in a conjunction squaring Mars and Uranus. Love is hard to come by and needs to be restructured and worked on. It can give a lasting love or make it too hard and give a lack of luxury or loveliness in society (Aquarius is about groups and friendship, rather than love). Love is an intoxicated state of projected delusions and fantasies onto another person. Lust is a bit more real, as it asserts itself more readily over your mind and demands a release.
February 13th, Mercury will conjunct with Jupiter.
Our beliefs and faith in life will come under review. Mercury is neutral to Jupiter. But Jupiter, lord of the heavens, views Mercury as a pesky nuisance. Jupiter is trying to find greater meaning and form a philosophy, yet Mercury attempts to bring in a flood of new information and data, distracting from the bigger-picture or a sense of wisdom.
Mars is the natural enemy to Mercury; when he inevitably aspects the planet from the sign of detriment, Taurus, there will be added stressors and separations in the realm of friendships and social circles. Mars adds extra aggression and abrupt, yet impulsive activity to our daily communication processes. There will be feelings of being “stuck” or fixed in a certain stage in life. It can really motivate us to make necessary improvements to our immediate world by working with or reconnecting to a social network that elevates and empowers us.
Mercury Stations Direct in Between Jupiter and Saturn
Mercury stations direct between the largest planets seen by the naked eye, and promptly leaves its retrograde status on February 21, 2021. Mercury is a neutral planet that is caught between the great benefic and malefic. Hermes is trapped between Zeus and Kronos, so to speak. It’s the time when we seek an understanding of how suffering (Saturn) connects to meaningful growth (Jupiter).
How Mercury (R) Affects Each Ascendant Sign
Aries
Mercury retrogrades in your 11th house of friendships and social networks. If you’re a Moon in Aries, this transit is about reviewing the gains you receive on an emotional level…basically what gives you comfort or what doesn’t. Moreover, think about your goals, hopes and dreams right now. Where are you going and how is your social circle supportive or toxic to your larger goals in life? It can be a time to reconnect to an older sibling and to rediscover new streams of income that involve technology or non profit organizations.
Taurus
Mercury retrogrades in your 10th house of career and reputation. You’re rethinking your activity in the world and whether or not you’re making enough of an “impact” in society. Issues of self-worth and creative passion with regards to your career start coming to the forefront of your consciousness. Learn to let go. Not everything can or should be controlled or managed — least of all the opinions of the world. In case you haven’t noticed, Taurus, society is rather insane. If your moon sign is here, it can show the emotional need to manage how “egalitarian” or “progressive” (Aquarian themes) your public image is.
Gemini
Mercury retrogrades in your 9th house of culture, beliefs and long-distance travels. How do you fit into your own culture? How does technology play a role in that? Are you too readily sharing your ideals and beliefs to others via technology? Get your identity and emotions out of whatever fervent beliefs you’ve found yourself too attached to. Mercury here is about managing our larger worldview. Also…If you’re married, it could be a fun time to figure out new activities to engage in with your spouse or partner.
Cancer
Mercury retrogrades in your 8th house of psychological transformation, sexual intimacy and shared resources. It’s a time to review any joint financial accounts and see how much or how little you are getting from them. You might want to research what’s going on with your friendships, as something hidden might be resurfacing that needs to be discussed. Are you running with the wrong crowd? On another note, it’s a good time to set your mind on acquiring occult knowledge in general. It can be a good time to study astrology, for instance.
Leo
Mercury retrogrades in your 7th house of relationships and dealing with the general public. You are thinking about the value and the gains your relationships have in your life. Is it worth it? Should I stay with this person? Think about ways to be more youthful and fun in relationships. Mercury represents young people, learning and students. Old friendships with something of value to offer might resurface in your life.
Virgo
Mercury retrogrades in your 6th house of daily work life, health, obstacles and debts. Your identity may be totally wrapped up in your daily work, a health issue or competing with others for something — let’s say a promotion. It’s important to rethink how much time and energy is being invested in the day-to-day grind and whether or not more balance is needed.
Libra
Mercury retrogrades in your 5th house of creativity, children, intelligence and counseling. If you’re a sun in Libra, mercury retrograde will have less strength to wreak havoc as it normally would. This is because any planet in the 5th and 9th sign from the Sun must bow to the power of the Sun’s strength. That’s another story. But for you, it’s all about romance! Are you feeling inspired, passionate, fulfilled and ‘in the moment’ with regards to your love life? Do you have a creative project that you didn’t finish (very Libra of you…)? It’s time to revisit it with a retrograde Mercury.
Scorpio
Mercury retrogrades in your 4th house of home, emotions and inner-contentment. You are reorganizing and reevaluating your roots, home and inner-psychological states. Your original 8th house lord and your 11th house lord (social circle) which gives you that natural curiosity for all things occult, is moving into your home life. You might find a new way of incorporating technology or brand-new social devices to enhance your sense of security in the home.
Sagittarius
Mercury retrogrades in your 3rd house of willpower, skills, siblings, short-distance travel and communications. Are you being too nice and not getting what you want? Or are you being a bit too “much” for other people just to get your share? This is a time to really watch out for what you say to others, your original seventh house, because it might not be interpreted well. Mercury retrograde is always like that. It’s miscommunication to the max. Figure out what skills you need to refresh on to better situate your career or social standing. Do you need to reapply to certification? Start studying for it. Aquarius represents technology and the latest-trends in it.
Capricorn
Mercury retrogrades in your 2nd house of finances, family and self-worth. You are re-evaluating how much your time and work is worth, as well as what you believe about the roles materials possessions have in your life. You are thinking about what values are important to you and whether or not you’re integrating these values in your life path. The co-lord of Aquarius is Uranus, situated in your 5th house of creativity. Think about how you are using your creative intelligence to better earn an income at this time.
Aquarius
Mercury retrogrades in your first house, your own sign, the area of identity, personality and the general life path. You are getting more and more clear on what things make you curious or interested in life — what passions or desires are driving you? Are you living a life that is in alignment with fun, interesting things? Or, are you sacrificing your authentic self-expression for the sake of other people? You might find yourself becoming really curious about how you come across to others.
Pisces
Mercury retrogrades in the 12th house of dreams, loss of energy, spirituality and unconscious states. Your dealings with the larger public, in career and relationships are beginning to feel rather exhausting, since the mental and emotional energy is pouring out of you. This might be a time when you are subconsciously restless and can’t sleep. Or, it’s a time when you reorganize your subconscious mind and keep a writing journal where you express your hopes, wishes or dreams for the future.
