MERCURY AT HOME
This summer (2008), between May 26th and June 19th, the planet Mercury will be ‘Retrograde’, or appearing to travel backwards. The full cycle began on May 11th,
and goes through until July 4th, 2008..
From Earth we observe Mercury going backwards approximately every four months, this apparent movement being caused by the subtle inter-relationships between the Sun, Mercury and the Earth. In fact this tiny planet, the closest to our Sun, merely continues in its eternal round, embracing the Sun so intimately that it is rarely seen, because the light of the Sun is brighter. However, the weaving motion it appears to trace, reversing and balancing opposites is reminiscent of the Caduceus or magical healing wand which the god Mercury carried. Thus the Retrogradation of Mercury brings an opportunity to break through our own illusions, and to reflect, retrace, review, recollect and reorient...to reconnect with our own inner Sun, the Solar Centre of our life.
Alchemical shapeshifter
The planet Mercury was named after the Roman God, who is the same figure as the Greek Hermes, the Egyptian Thoth, the Vedic Buddhi and also the alchemical Mercurius, variously described in the ancient texts as the prima materia on which the transformational work was performed, the presiding deity of the work itself, or indeed as the very goal of it. Hermes is the patron of the trinity of traveller, journey and destination, representing the informing intelligence which makes possible the development of consciousness, to-ing and fro-ing between inner and outer, past and future, pausing, turning, retracing, continuing.
Guide of Souls
Hermes was also called the Psychopomp or Guide of Souls, who accompanies the dead to the Underworld, and also facilitates the outworking of the destiny of the Gods and Goddesses themselves. Friend and fellow of both mortals and immortals, Hermes can be glimpsed arriving in the nick of time with a crucial piece of information, as mediator and messenger, but he is also the Trickster who causes the mighty to fall and elevates the lowly. Contact, communication, information and links are his concern.
Cleansing the air
On May 26th, Mercury will be stationary, turning Retrograde at 21.31 Gemini, the sign of the Heavenly Twins. Mercury’s retrograde passage through the three air signs – Gemini, Libra, Aquarius - brings opportunities to understand more clearly how we limit ourselves and define our reality according to what we think, and the beliefs we hold. The neuronal filigree structure of our thoughts becomes more available to our consciousness, and from this subtle place, deep changes are seeded, making this time most auspicious for the house-cleaning of mind and heart. We learn how we tend to interpret events that occur, and how these may be based on past experiences we have had which affected us deeply emotionally. When we attribute our ‘position’ to ‘the world’ or to ‘other people’ we form beliefs about ‘what is true’, perhaps not recognising our contribution to our own experience. Mercury is said to ‘rule’ Gemini, and works rapidly and powerfully through this sign, helping us to re-interpret, and thus to purify, our thinking. The Hermetic maxim 'As Above, So Below' becomes particularly relevant as we experience a Retrograde period of Mercury, because we are gifted with a deeper understanding of how we can and do shape our outer lives and inner experience.
Right brain rules
Much occurs behind our line-of-sight, in the twilight zone of demi-consciousness, before the threshold of clarity. Retrograde Mercury favours right-brain activity with its more reflective, intuitive, elliptical movement that includes rather than excludes, suggests rather than defines, speaks poetry rather than facts. It is a time when it is more productive to allow situations to mature; when it is wise to take care with practical arrangements, documents and communication matters, knowing that misunderstandings are more likely than usual. This time favours inner and contemplative activity, and in fact the annoying minor events which sometimes scramble plans while Mercury is Retrograde may be a call from the inner world to stop and pay attention. When the computer glitches, the phone line goes dead, or you lose your address book, while sorting out the ensuing chaos, let yourself remain serenely tuned within. Your psyche may yield some surprises!
Mercury in Gemini
Gemini is the first air-sign, depicted as the ‘Heavenly Twins’. There are many stories in myth and legend about rival twins who were also devoted to each other, and indeed this sign relates to the complex bonds between siblings, and later, close friends. However, there is a deeper side to this sign. The longing for one’s soul-mate, true ‘other half’ is seeded in this sign, although it may go through permutations in many other signs. For many people, this longing dominates their life, and can be the source of deep disappointments and losses in relationships. Many pregnancies result in twins, one of whom dies quite early on, from just a few weeks to full term. With the advent of ultra-sound, this previously hidden dimension of pregnancy has been revealed, and provides a poignant biological reality to the anxiety within the Gemini soul who always seeks completion, and may go through many painful experiences trying to find it. A mysterious sense of loss often haunts those who have the Sun in Gemini, and for some, this will be based in the early biological reality. For when we incarnate, at conception, we may indeed incarnate with a companion soul, or one with whom we have a deep link. Should that soul leave, as the little body dies, it can be very painful for the one left behind. For some people, a deep sense of rejection can follow, which is not sourced in family relationships and can therefore be very confusing. During the transit of Mercury through Gemini, it is possible to gain insight and understanding of these subtle and hidden areas. Our souls hold all this wisdom, which is released as needed. Lightness of spirit is the result of correctly understanding such things.
The deeper meaning of Gemini includes our inner relationships. The cohesion of body, soul and spirit gradually deepens as our consciousness matures. Then the oppositions and conflicts which may have previously caused such agony become a dynamism, an inter-weaving, and an exchange. The alchemical process, as mentioned above, is signified by Mercury in its own sign, and the Caduceus portrays visually this linking of opposites. With Mercury in Gemini, we may be confronted with our own inner ‘opposite number’. We might re-discover an extraverted part of ourselves, or be invited to re-visit an area of unresolved suffering which we have bravely hidden from view. We may be reminded of who we have been, and be able to spontaneously direct a loving awareness to this past aspect of our journey in life. New understanding can come, too, if we take the time to allow it to surface. With Mercury Retrograde in Gemini, it is an excellent time to work in our journals, and to use writing as a form of inner communication. Thus we bear witness in a Mercurial way to what arises within the soul.
Preparation
When Mercury is Retrograde, it is wise to try and keep at least 50% of our attention on activity within the inner world. Pay special attention to dreams which come during this time, as they are often preparatory in nature, offering wisdom and guidance for what is to come. Notice synchronicities, surrender to plans changing, and do not hustle, if possible. Taking time to include our whole being, and to relax the mind will invite a positive and refreshing experience. Value opportunities to quiet the mind. This ancient image entitled 'Hermetic Silence' refers to the silence so necessary for the mind to receive inspiration from 'the Heavens', and also reminds us that it is often unwise to speak about plans which are not yet fully gestated. Wise silence allows inner growth.
Mercury twice conjuncts the Sun
Each Retrograde loop lasts about 21 days, and roughly in the middle of this period, there is a Conjunction with the Sun, when Mercury is located between the Sun and the Earth. (1) This is a seeding time when new ideas are generated deep within, when connections and communications begin to gather substance. Intentions set during the Interior Conjunction take root deeply, so they are precious times for renewal. This year (2008) it occurs in Gemini, on June 7th, shortly after the New Moon on June 3rd (19.23 GMT). During the Moon’s transit through Gemini this June, there will be several planets lined up in Gemini. As the Moon moves through this sign, it will conjunct Venus, the Sun and finally Mercury, bringing its light to these three intensely personal planets in turn. This suggest it is time to reflect on our values (Venus) and where the centre of our life and self are located (Sun), in order to better connect and communicate (Mercury) with the people we care about, and to articulate our ideas and feelings with clarity and passion.
Six to ten weeks later, there will always be another conjunction, this time with Mercury on the far side of the Sun from us here on Earth. This is called an ‘Exterior’ conjunction. At this time, an impulse may be seen to flower, mature and express itself in events, inner or outer, begun at the previous (Interior) Conjunction. (2) This forthcoming Exterior Conjunction will occur early in the sign of Leo, on July 29th at 20.04 GMT. This is the point of outer fruition we are preparing for. If you already know what you will be doing at this time, take the Retrograde period (May 26th - June 19th) to put in the preparation work. Think, reflect, envision, and let go of out-moded ways of seeing yourself and the world. Put energy into vision rather than worry or distractions. Clear your mind. The results of this inner work may be radiant if you allow yourself to work with this cycle.
In myth and legend, the notion of the ‘twice-born’ refers to someone who has made an inner initiatic journey and returned renewed and transformed into life. The Mercury cycle offers a concise pathway to follow this time-honoured process of inner enrichment which results in deeper engagement with our life.
Bookends
These two forthcoming stations of Mercury are accompanied by some particularly intense planetary patterns. Let’s explore these.......
The station Retrograde, on May 26th, occurred on the same day as the station of Neptune, and just after a station of the Minor Planet Chiron. The combination of energies was potentially releasing and healing, but may have taken the form of a precipitation of emotional pain from the past. When Chiron stations, there may be a recapitulation of something which is seeking healing and resolution. All planets were actually in favourable aspects to each other, but the combination is best approached in an intuitive and contemplative way. If confusion occurred, plans scrambled, do not waste time trying to sort things out if you really don’t need to. Wait if possible, and turn within to where you might find the real action is taking place. This is an excellent time for spiritual practice, for meditation, silence, inspirational reading.
The station Direct on June 19th occurs between the Full Moon (June 18th at 17.30 GMT) and the Summer Solstice (June 20th at 23.59 GMT). This promises to be an intense time, inspired and fruitful. It might be wise to slow down in anticipation of this intensification. The energies around the Summer Solstice are always powerful, and at present particularly so, as Pluto makes its final conjunction with the Sun in Sagittarius on June 20th. Decisions will be made, tracks laid down into the future, pathways cleared, as we step beyond our own past. Give the process the attention it deserves.
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Endnotes
(1) The exact conjunction occurs on June 7th at 15.27GMT, but for practical and contemplative purposes, the Conjunction phase may be thought of as lasting about 48 hours.
(2) The usual technical terms for these conjunctions are ‘Inferior’‚ and ‘Superior‚ but I prefer the terms ‘Interior‚’ and ‘Exterior’‚ which reflect the astronomical picture more accurately, and which have no value loading.
