by Agni Jnana Yannanda
featured image by AstroCreatrix
Current Mercury Retrograde period:
Dec 12, 2023 to Jan 1, 2024
from 8 º Capricorn to 22º Sagittarius, Tropical
Every year Mercury goes retrograde 3 times and stations twice each time. Mercury tells us about how the day-to-day details of life will be handled, how communications will proceed and how our relations will go. When Mercury is “direct” (moving forward) and fast, such things proceed swiftly with few obstacles. Mercury is direct and fast for most of its cycle. When Mercury is “retrograde” it’s also moving slowly and there are obstructions and misunderstandings. Mercury’s direct periods are best used for forward motion and starting new projects; Mercury’s retrograde periods are best used for rest, contemplation, research and cleaning up old projects.
Retrograde phases are a good time to slow down, and to take a little extra time and care with communication. Yet it’s also possible to approach them as a journey of discovery and reclamation.
Mercury starts its retrograde motion at 8º of Capricorn on December 12, 2023 and travels backwards to 22º Sagittarius, turning direct on January 1, 2024. The post-retrograde shadow period ends on January 21st when Mercury reaches 8º of Capricorn. During the post-retrograde shadow period we have insights on the events that took place during the retrograde, with Mercury at full speed we can take actions that were delayed, this time with higher awareness gained through the experiences under the retrograde.
Retrograde periods always require you to revise and re-assess things whether it’s your work, financial situation, relationships, friendships, love, health or habits. It’s a good idea to take a closer look at the area of your life where the retrograde takes place, however, during the retrograde period it is important not to make any rash revolutionary decisions. Simply re-evaluate your circumstances in an analytical (Mercury) manner, but wait while making decisions for when the Rx period is over. So spare yourself such a dilemma as whether you gotta get divorced or put all your money into the new property! This is not the time to make any rushed decisions. First re-evaluate what love means to you, and make a list of qualities your ideal partner should have then once the retrograde is over, look back at your assessment and see how you truly feel. The same goes for the property hunt – check your finances and once the Rx is over, come back to your excel spreadsheet and see if you can truly afford that new house.
With Mercury Rx you will likely feel this transit strongly if you have any planets or points in your chart between 8º of Capricorn to 22º of Sagittarius, Tropical, also if you have anything in your chart in the same degree span of the other Cardinal (Aries, Cancer, Libra) and Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Pieces).
Mercury Rx in Tropical Capricorn
Mercury Rx in Tropical Capricorn, demands that you are practical, objective, self-sufficient and that you develop a strong sense of your own value. Even if it means going on your own for a while, or avoiding social connections. Your own company may be far more rewarding than spreading your energy on meaningless or even toxic encounters. With the Capricorn outlook, you are more aware of how your environment defines you, therefore, you starve to establish what’s best in terms of your own life lived according to the highest personal ideals. Hence, this is also the time to evaluate if your social circles reflect your own aspirations, and spiritual needs. You may also discover who are the people that you truly care about and want to stay close with. In short, after this Mercury Rx period you are far more likely to find (and define) your own tribe!
Mercury Rx in Tropical Sagittarius
Mercury Rx in Tropical Sagittarius calls on approaching this transit as an opportunity for a profound inventory of our truths and values. The difficulty of the retrogression lies not in the nature of the backward movement but in our unwillingness to accept it as a teaching device. The sign of Sagittarius is represented by the archetype of The Teacher and The Philosopher encouraging us to expand the perceptions of our personal reality.
It is common to blame fate or external circumstances when things go wrong, hoverer, life, like art, is discovery not design. The retrograde period encourages us to look closely at the value system we live by and with all that comes up during this time, we have enough insights to make adjustments to our lives.
Upgrade your listening skills
Always remember that you also need to listen. Ask questions and pay attention to the answers. Slow down your speech and upgrade listening skills.
This is particularly important if you have any other personal planets in Capricorn, Gemini (sesquisquare with Mars Rx !), Aries, Cancer, or Libra as Mercury will most likely create challenging situations in the areas defined by the house placement. With Mars, Sun and the Moon these aspects are particularly intense. Tune in, and look inwards instead of broadcasting to the world. The Guru is within…
Re-visit past projects
Mercury in Capricorn is an excellent placement to boost your leadership and organizational skills. It is advised to make the most of this transit by re-visiting past projects: editing your book, or updating the proposals you were working on.
Mercury Rx Codex
Slow down, think first then speak.
Upgrade your listening skills.
Revise the list of goals you want to achieve.
Give yourself more time before making any decision.
Don’t be hard on yourself – forgiveness is the key.
Don’t give up – it’s a karmic lesson in patience.
Mercury retrograde through the houses:
12th House
Subconscious urges may take over you during this transit. Feelings of isolation, loss, depression or being misunderstood by the world are also likely. As a remedy make a conscious effort to work with your shadow side.
To know your shadow is to face what is hidden within yourself. Not an easy task, but find courage to dive into the dark side in order to redefine your needs and acquaint yourself with your soul’s hidden longings.
This is also the sea of the collective unconscious. Perhaps you can gain access to the secret gnosis of the world’s soul through the dreamwork, psychic communications or spirit accounters. Share your findings with your community.
Meditate.
12th house mantras:
“I am here to attain peace within myself”
“I am aware of my own shadow, and I am able to transmute it”
11th House
Mercury Rx through the house of dreams, hopes, friends and the fruits of our work may cause you to revise your expectations. Dreams and hopes can change so this is a good time to try something new in our attitude towards life. Just like the Mercury Rx transit through Aquarius is the least chaotic, with 11th house Mercury activates our need for action and originality which is often expressed through looking at EVERYTHING from a new angle.
Spend some time in solitude as this can help you discover your new side.
11th house mantras:
“I manifest my dreams on the earthy plane”
“I support my community and my community supports me”.
10th House
Time to revise your ambitions and career plans. Are you happy with your public and professional position? The house of social standing invites these kind of questions helping you to direct your life towards a more fulfilling path.
Be particularly careful in your work place and avoid making mistakes during this period. Think of the legacy you are creating. Revise your public image. Try to get your dream job! Not less…
Mantra: “I turn my plans into reality!”
9th House
Cosmic meaning of life is one of the expressions of this house. See if during the Rx transit your life philosophy holds up to the changing circumstances. Brilliant time to take up a master class in the area of self improvement. If you gave up on higher education this is the time to come back to school. If this transit happens during the travels, be careful as you are out for a wild ride, with unpredictable events more likely to occur.
Focus on visualizing your life goals and desires. Do not doubt yourself.
Mantra: “Life is an adventure and I can move the mountains!”
8th House
Transit through the house of finances and sexuality will activate one of these areas causing some chaos. If you tend to attract the “wrong” kind of partners this is the time to analyze why. Are you attracted to people whose behavior you don’t want to acknowledge as your own?
Jealousy or obsessive behaviors are likely to intensify during this period. Don’t try to control other people, and do not let others control you. Any negative behaviour you notice within yourself can be shifted during this time. That includes putting up with toxic relationships.
If you give too much of yourself to others – that includes the finances – be aware of it. Your energy is all you truly possess and you have no obligation to give it endlessly. Learn how to balance the give / receive pattern so you don’t feel depleted. Also, it’s time to cut some cords! Goddess Kali style.
If it doesn’t serve you it must perish!
Also this is the time to come to terms with the negative expressions of the 8th house. What’s your relationship with money? If you think it will grow on the trees, revise your false beliefs. The same goes for foolish spending. Believe that any negative pattern can be changed, after all this is the house of transformation. Death and rebirth. Don’t be afraid. Be radical as this is an opportunity to deal with the deepest blocks.
8th house mantras:
“I take good care of my finances”.
“I am honest with myself and can face my demons in the daylight”
“My sex life is as sexy as I allow it”
“I am a powerful being on a spiritual path”.
7th House
Relationships are the area of heightened activity. Be careful, be mindful. Watch out how you speak to your partners, which also includes the business partners. Renegotiate terms of your engagement if needed. Stop the flight with an enemy and be on guard who your true friends are.
It’s a well known phenomena Mercury Rx passing through the 7th house brings back your past flings. Carefully consider if you truly want to engage. You can never enter the same river twice.
Mantra: “The love I experienced taught me about what I need to feel loved. I deserve what’s best for me.”
6th House
Expect there may be complications related to your work and health. Think what you would like to change in these areas of life and plan the best course of action. Come back to the regular exercise, and revise the conditions of your employment. It’s never too late to begin a healthy diet.
5th House
Children, creativity, sports and free love are under revision. Mantra: “I am rekindling the relationship with my inner child”.
Creativity: come back to an old hobby or analyze your current creative project carefully as perhaps it needs to be changed by 180 degrees. Don’t panic if your creativity isn’t at 100%. It’s a lesson in patience and perseverance.
4th House
The issues within your family and your home may arise. Things from the past may come back to haunt you. Take care of your apartment or your house, find all the little or big ways of improving it.
Mantra: “Seeing the past clearly helps me improve my future”
3rd House
Communication in general as well as brothers, sisters, your neighborhood and short trips are the focus of this transit. Revise your relationships and think of ways of improving them.
It’s a good time to back up all your files, hard drives, and photos! Any inventory done during this time will be beneficial. Make the most of the Gemini analytical skills – ruler of the 3rd house – and come back to the articles / essays / books / all projects that you you started but haven’t finished.
2nd House
What are your priorities in life? Who are the most important people in your life? What are the most important goals in your life? Revise your attitude towards what you value. This should also include your financial and material situation.
Does your lifestyle support the values you believe in? If your self-worth needs an upgrade this is the perfect time to work with the inner image. “I am worth more than I think” is a good mantra.
1st House
Do you need to change the way you act within the social situations or perhaps the way you look or the way you are being perceived by others? Even small changes may shift how you interact with the outside world. Be mindful of your reputation and strive to come across as genuine.
Revisit your past and reconsider the person it made you, are you still hiding behind the mask of your childhood?
If you receive a second chance, take up the challenge.
On the final note, retrograde phases represent a good time to slow down, and to take a little extra time and care with communication. Approach them as a journey of discovery and reclamation rather than fear and frustration…
If this is an important time in your life and you need more insights for this particular transit, you can book a consultation with me via AstroCREARIX Etsy store or email jana.astanov at gmail.
Agni Jnana Yannanda
The One Who Speaks With The Stars
