Mercury stations retrograde on June 18th, at 14 degrees Cancer and will station direct on July 12th, at 5 degrees Cancer.

We are also in the midst of a trio of eclipses – whilst the Lunar Nodes have now moved across the Gemini/Sagittarius axis and the Lunar Eclipse on June 5th was in Sagittarius – the Solar Eclipse on June 21st is at 0 degrees Cancer and this is followed by a Lunar Eclipse on July 5th at 14 degrees Capricorn. Notably the Lunar Eclipse at 14 degrees Capricorn is opposite 14 degrees Cancer where Mercury stations retrograde.

The Cancer/Capricorn axis highlights home and family life versus career and our public status, inner wisdom versus external expectations, as well as the public – the masses – versus the government, authority figures and control structures. Eclipses occur across the same sign polarity axis for around two years, approximately every 8-9 years. The eclipses of 2019/January 2020 took place across the Cancer/Capricorn axis – and the Solar Eclipse on June 21st and the Lunar Eclipse on July 5th are the last to occur in the current Cancer/Capricorn series of eclipses. The eclipses that follow, in November/December 2020 are across the Gemini/Sagittarius axis.

Cancer is a water sign, sensitive, deeply emotional, concerned with family, children, home, nurture, memories, our early years – how we feel safe and secure. Cancer will defend and care for, seek out and strive to obtain, relationships and structures that make themselves and those they care about, feel protected and fortified.

Mercury retrograde in Cancer alongside the Solar Eclipse (new beginnings/seeds) in Cancer and the Lunar Eclipse (crisis/ending) in Capricorn connects powerfully to events unfolding in the world. Covid-19, BLM, financial and material hardships, the Climate Crisis, the leadership and policies of governments – all the interwoven threads and implications of how the world is structured and run – that has meant so many in the past – and now – experience detrimental, traumatic results in their lives. The picture in the sky combines to bring us the current awakening and growing awareness of the need for change and healing, that tunes in to, focuses on having increased compassion, care and respect for each other.

Not only are we in eclipse season, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto are already retrograde – Mercury joins them on June 18th – and then, Neptune on June 23rd. A grand total of six planets will be retrograde until Venus stations direct on June 25th. Illuminating – underlining – that a huge amount of energy will be drawn towards re-viewing, re-evaluating, letting go of or transforming whatever is necessary.

The Lunar Eclipse on July 5th, nearly exactly opposite the degree that Mercury stations retrograde – suggests that recognition of something – may focus our attention on an area or issue of importance that needs rectifying or releasing, either by choice or circumstances, something out of our control.

But this may take time to be fully revealed, both Mercury retrograde and eclipses align with something being hidden, shadowy, the full picture being concealed, that is coming to light … will (gradually or suddenly) be illuminated. Mercury doesn’t leave the retrograde zone until July 26th and the influence of eclipses can be felt before and even a few months after the exact dates.

Mercury Retrograde Dates

Pre-Shadow ~ June 2nd-18th ~ Mercury journeys from 5 degrees Cancer to 14 degrees Cancer ~ Fixed Star ~ Tejat Posterior

Mercury Retrograde ~ June 18th-July 12th ~ Mercury (appears to) glide backwards from 14 degrees Cancer to 5 degrees Cancer ~ Fixed Star ~ Sirius

Mercury Cazimi ~ Sun Conjunct Mercury ~ July 1st at 9 degrees 44′ Cancer ~ Fixed Star ~ Alhena

Post-Shadow ~ July 12th-July 26th ~ Mercury travels from 5 degrees Cancer to 14 degrees Cancer

Mercury Stations Retrograde Chart

Fixed Stars

Both fixed stars aligned with Mercury retrograde bring a positive influence.

Mercury stations retrograde on fixed star Sirius, the Dog Star –

“It gives honour, renown, wealth, ardour, faithfulness, devotion, passion and resentment, and makes its natives custodians, curators and guardians. It also gives danger of dog bites.” ~ Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E Robson

Mercury stations direct on fixed star Tejat Posterior –

“It gives force, energy, power and protection.” – Robson

On an individual level, Mercury retrograde, along with the influence of the eclipse energy, will perhaps see – especially if you have natal planets or points in Cancer, Capricorn, Aries or Libra that are directly influenced – changes arising or being initiated around where you call home, relationships, or career path.

Covid-19 and the lockdown has put in motion, bought about a shift in perspectives and priorities. Now, possibly the desire to be closer to family or for more outside space, or access to countryside could see plans being made to move house, relationships could end or become stronger – perhaps by deciding to get married or have children, career prospects or plans could be revised or be transformed.

Mercury Cazimi

This moment, around three hours either side of the exact conjunction of the Sun and Mercury at 03.52 am BST on July 1st (if you are not in the UK adjust this for your time zone) is when Mercury is “In the Heart of the Sun”  – between zero and 17 minutes from the Sun. At this time Mercury literally has the ear of the King – the Sun – and is greatly strengthened.

The Sun and Mercury meet up for their Inferior Conjunction at 9 degrees 44′ Cancer and will be sextile Uranus at 9 degrees 52′ Taurus. This suggests that inner intuition, insight into personal scenarios may be emphasised at this time – trust your instincts.

On the world stage the news could feature some new or innovative technology, perhaps involving a vaccine, or/along with, a fresh twist or something unconventional around financial and material matters. A dramatic revelation of something that has been concealed, covered up, (Mercury retrograde/eclipse season) and of global importance could also be a possibility around this time.

The Sun and Mercury are also square Chiron at 9 degrees 23′ Aries illustrating that although it could be demanding and testing, finding our way towards alleviating and soothing fears, anxieties, and sorrow, is possible.

Whatever arises internally or externally for you personally at this Mercury Retrograde, keep in mind that things are evolving and adjusting. The world around us has, and will continue to change and at the present time, the full picture is yet to emerge and become clear. Nothing is certain or settled, and it is perhaps best to proceed with caution.

Aim to try and keep calm, go with the flow and adjust or make changes wherever necessary. This Mercury retrograde presents us with the opportunity to process all the immense happenings and changes we have experienced in the world – and will potentially enable us to discover and develop something that is healing and nurturing.

A detailed, in-depth post I wrote exploring the process of Mercury Retrograde is here – Mercury Retrograde ~ Wisdom from The Messenger and Trickster

Next Mercury Retrograde Dates

October 14th -November 3rd -11 degrees Scorpio to 25 degrees Libra (Water to Air)

 

Image ~ Taken from St Michael’s Tower, Glastonbury Tor – by yours truly!