Mercury is mostly the planet of communication and small trips. Because of its speed relative to the Earth's revolution, when Mercury appears (as this is an optical illusion) to go backwards against the background of the fixed stars, therefore is said to be "retrograde", technology breaks down, schedules change without warning, appointments are forgotten, we miss our flight, we land at the wrong destination, we lose our keys, our luggage doesn't arrive, we erase messages we haven't read, we send an email to someone it was not destined to, there are delays, disagreements, people change their minds, anxiety sets in, we receive challenging news.... you get the picture... However, contrarily to many, I personally love Mercury retrograde. Because these are also times of unexpectedness and often great surprises. While our external world becomes more chaotic, our internal world slows down enabling us to remember projects we had forgotten, visit places we hadn't been to in a long time, hear again from people who had disappeared from our lives....

Mercury is retrograde about 4 to 5 times a year for periods of roughly 3 weeks each time. This particular retrograde period will start on September 9, 2022 at 9º Libra and last until Oct 2nd, 2022 at 24º Virgo.

Before and after, when Mercury was going from 24º √irgo to 9º Libra, there are 2 shadow periods. The 1st, from August 31 to Sep 9 when we already experienced some of the effects of the retrogradation. The 2nd, Oct 2-17, during which we shall still feel some fleeting effects of this retrogradation.

While Retrograde, Mercury forms 3 important aspects:

- a Trine (120º angle) with Mars, and more significantly

- 2 oppositions (180º angle) with Jupiter and Chiron.

What does this mean? How can we handle this transit positively?

The first part of this retrogradation, between Sep 9 to the 23rd, will take place in Libra. Our relationships come into focus. An old flame could reappear. A love we thought lost could resurface. We are likely to become more courageous, even bolder in revealing our feelings. This is great for asking someone on a date whom we had silently liked for a long time. Perfect also for telling those we cherish what we find attractive in them and what they mean to us. We are likely to reconnect with projects that had been collecting dust on a shelf. Taking risks, making impulsive decisions, thinking quickly on our feet helps us make daring plans for the future.

During the second part of the retrogradation, between Sep 24 and Oct 2nd, Mercury will be in Virgo. We shall be more organized, grounded, practical, logical, rational, conservative, modest, and considerate. Anything related to health, nutrition and the relationship between mind and body is encouraged. Our daily routine is shaken up. It might be a bit of a challenge to keep a balanced outlook on things as we could become somewhat fanatical in the pursuit of our beliefs. If we are careful to not turn molehills into mountains, promise more than we can deliver, and treat details as unimportant, we shall find that our optimism opens many exciting doors. Being confident but not arrogant, helps us grasp great opportunities and expand significantly.

Our plans and ideas are likely to come under scrutiny. Our opinions may raise some controversy, even offend others. It is important that we do not engage in any form of gossip and remain generous, respectful and tolerant.

Expressing thoughts we had until now kept very private, opens a pandora box that pushes us resolutely forward. Once things have been said, feelings acknowledged, there is just no turning back.

Any sense of intellectual inadequacy, we shall want to resolve. If we had thoughts of returning to school, or starting a new training, this is the time. Excellent also for asking favors as people react positively to what we need. We could also find ourselves speaking up on behalf of outcasts or wounded people.

Enjoy this exciting period that will no doubt bring many surprises!

In Loving Light.

Michelle Karén, M.A., D.F.Astrol.S.