Mercury Retrograde in Cancer in June-July 2007, Part 1 - A Look Back Anticipating the Future

by Robert Wilkinson

This Mercury retrograde period starts June 15 (June 16 England and points east) and ends July 9 (July 10 east of Brazil). This retrograde moves from 12 degrees back to 3 Cancer, with the inferior conjunction between Mercury and the Sun occurring June 28 (June 29 India and points east) at 7 Cancer. This degree is one of "Two Nature Spirits Dancing In the Moonlight," symbolizing the "play of invisible forces" contrasting "the invisible with the visible, the inner with the outer, the dream and ideal with everyday reality." A degree of "Creative Imagination," Rudhyar also says this degree is "Man's recognition of the elusive play of underlying forces in nature," "cooperation with the invisible," and "unusual good luck."

The inferior conjunction is when Mercury (mind) conjuncts the Sun (life) while retrograde, indicating that signals, messages, and ideas from either outer sources or subconscious sources will fuse with the life principle, setting the tone for the lessons involving how our minds are relating to our lives during the next four months. Since Mercury is retrograde, the degree of the inferior conjunction shows how our lives will merge with our perceptions and bring forth a new understanding of our light.

This is the second step in a two-conjunction process. The first step is when Mercury conjuncts the Sun in forward motion after its retrograde period. As Mercury is faster than the Sun, after this Mind again outraces Life, and explores ideas and perceptions of experiences yet to occur.

Then Mercury goes stationary retrograde, and moves into the second step when Mercury again conjuncts the Sun while retrograde. This is when Mind is being absorbed by Life, or Life takes on the results of subconscious or collective ideas returning to source. Eventually Life gets as far from Mind as it can, Mercury goes stationary direct, and begins to speed up preparing for the first step anew in a different part of the zodiac.

We are told that 7 degrees of Cancer also symbolizes the limitless potentials that nature offers us to release being involved in physical and/or psychological involvements, and of the need to achieve "some measure of lightness in self-expression as a balance for the strain of everyday existence." We find that this degree is one of "an exaltation of fancy as a dynamic factor in all self-realization, and of the quiet moments of experience as a real opportunity for self-orientation." We are told our magic is in our ability to rise above that which threatens our well-being, and Dr. Jones' offers the keyword ASCENDANCY. He writes that "... the degree is a transforming sensitivity or a healing imagination."

During the 11 days before the inferior conjunction (fusion) of mind and life, take a new look at how you can bring out your inner wisdom by adjusting to a future vision or broader perspective that's opening for you, and get a new point of view regarding what your imagination is willing to consider and how to coordinate your life to reorganize it productively. It's great for intuitive flashes, insights into the larger collective consciousness and unconsciousness, and you should find a new ease and sophistication among those you're with.

This retrograde beginning at 12 Cancer retraces ground we covered May 30-June 15, and is a degree of "A Chinese Woman Nursing A Baby Haloed by Divine Light," giving us "the promise... that God may take birth" within us, yielding personality integration and illumination. It is a degree of "the revelation of latent worth in an experience once it is seen in its deeper meaning," thus holistic perception that reveals the meaning of "wholes" of our experience that can lead to striking revelations.

Being trine the retrograde point of the last Mercury retrograde in February, it is the natural understanding of what new realms we entered at that time where we had to prove our worth and capabilities. Of special note is that this retrograde point falls within a degree of where Mars will go stationary retrograde on November 15, 2007. Thus many of the signs, signals, and information we'll get this coming Mercury retrograde will factor importantly in whatever we'll be re-doing, undoing, or preparing to do between November 2007 and April 2008.

This retrograde Mercury starts off completely unafflicted, a rare occurrence. It retrogrades first to a novile to Saturn and semisextile to Venus, followed by a quintile to Mars, a triseptile to Jupiter, a novile to Venus, a semisquare to Saturn around the inferior conjunction, then a semisquare to Venus while sesquisquare to Neptune, followed by a sextile to Mars to finish June. Mercury semisquare Venus isn't that much of a crisis-producing aspect, but more the final choice of how you want to communicate as you move into a new realm of relationships, opportunities, and responsibilities.

July brings a septile to Venus, and while going direct in motion it forms a septile to Saturn and biseptile to Uranus, making a very powerful configuration since Saturn is triseptile Uranus during that period. I explained some of what this important triseptile is about in this Spiritual Astrology article for May-June 2007. The final Mercury septile Venus in this series will happen around July 21-24 when Mercury is direct and Venus is about to go retrograde.

The noviles will yield realizations, while all the septile series aspects will show us at multiple forks in the road of destiny, depending on what we learned, interpreted, or acted upon in late May when Mercury septiled Saturn the first time in this sequence. The Sun will septile Saturn close to this degree at the Summer Solstice, so take note, since that will impact the information and decisions we use as a basis for our understanding of our future in early July. All septiles are associated with irrationality, compulsive actions, and hard-edged changes, whether for good or bad.

Though it may take until October when Mars transits this Cancer zone to see clearly where it's all going, be thoughtful where your miind and perceptions are leading you in early July. Also, since it triseptiles Jupiter at 13 Sag from 9 Cancer, any time any planet crosses those points it'll trigger those forks in the road. Times when this is activated are July 20-21 and the third week of September.

When Mercury semisquares Saturn, don't let narrow or pessimistic thinking hinder the process that's unfolding. The best way to handle these energies is to study, learn, communicate, and cultivate your spiritual rapport with others. Don't just withdraw if your ideas are challenged, but be willing to learn how to express your feelings productively and creatively. While Mercury is in Cancer many will find their ideas and feelings are mixed together and hard to separate from each other. Cultivate the sensitive mind as well as thoughtful emotions, and see what is needed to coordinate situations.

The Mercury semisquare Saturn will most affect those with planets around 21, 22, and 23 degrees of Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius, and Taurus, as well as 6, 7, and 8 Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. This would impact birthdays around late December, the second week of February, late March, the second week of May, late June, the second week of August, late September, and the second week of November. If your birthday falls in these spans, lighten up, strive for optimism, cultivate an attitude of welcoming opportunities to study and learn, open your perspective to be more inclusive than exclusive, and let go of unnecessarily restrictive rules and assumptions.

Just as Mercury goes retrograde it is trine Uranus, re-echoing the lessons learned since the last Mercury retrograde which was conjunct Uranus. It's been a powerful influence in this period, and the coming weeks offer the next step in understanding the harmony of the larger Mercury process as it progresses between retrograde periods. The Sun trine Uranus from Mercury's stationary degree will bring a form of light, life, and power through illuminating whatever the stationary retrograde point is about.

Other elements of note during this retrograde is that Mercury only disposits the Sun, and that only for 6 days. Therefore this Mercury retrograde does not influence the inner workings or backdrop to any other planet, lessening its influence. However, the retrograde period does correspond with Mars trine Pluto and quintile Neptune, which should aid all kinds of collective spiritual progress, especially with Venus trine Jupiter and then Pluto as well.

Remembering that nothing turns out as expected during a Mercury retrograde, and that things take strange twists and turns and there are curious returns of people, ideas, and experiences in new forms that resemble old forms, open to useful but overlooked angles of viewing things, learn and teach through a sense of perspective of how past and present relate in unusual ways, and be alert to roundabout or indirect communications that show things going on below the surface.

All in all, given the lack of volatile aspects between Mercury and the other planets, there shouldn't be too much upheaval or upset. It's more a time of grounding and integrating, preparing for conclusions and crystalizations to happen in August leading to the new Saturn in Virgo era.

Mercury going stationary direct at 3 Cancer on July 9-10 shows that through October 11, 2007 we will have to allow our "spiritual will" to lead our mind into pioneering situations and views. Begin to see how you are being challenged to get out beyond the known and familiar and "plunge into the virgin possibilities of life."

This initiates a period of being shown a new path determined by recent choices that shifted our allegiances, so overcome any stagnant vibe during your "trial of endurance." We are told it's a "testing of the will," so accept no needless limitations, be self-reliant, and express your indomitability. We should all be much more aware of our new way after this three week period, and able to thread our way through life's complexities to achieve our vision, to whatever degree it is possible at this emergent phase in a larger process.

When Mercury goes direct, it is at a platform from which to bring the lessons it has reflected on during the rx period forward into the future life-in-the-making. The angle of retrograde exploration was the stationary retrograde degree. The degree of the inferior conjunction shows how life and mind must come together in a different, perhaps overlooked but definitely useful, view of what must be known. The entire retrograde function is inward-turned, so we can get insights into what must be known to understand some thing from a more holistic point of view. We can also note how our mind, ideas, or worldview are affected by our subconsciousness, or our receptivity to others' subconsciousness.

Mercury retrograde periods reveal their own unique rhythm in offering us a new look at things. Every period in some way echoes the messages of prior retrograde periods, and affects those to come. That's why it's important to observe what has been revealed during other periods in the recent months and years past, so that you can see how Mercury, or Hermes, the "Guide of Souls," is leading you to your authentic self. Regardless of appearances, or how difficult or easy, Mercury retrograde periods show us the path to our Soul.

I will give you Part 2 tomorrow, where we will explore how this Mercury retrograde period affects each individual sign.

PS (added much later than I should have!) - Here's Pt. 2, titled Mercury Retrograde Astrology in June-July 2007 Pt. 2 - What It Means For Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces for your enjoyment. There are more articles to come on how this Mercury retrograde period affects each and all of us, so keep checking in!

© Copyright 2007 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Valerie]

Thank you for a most informative article. My birthday is June 29 and I have Mercury 17 Cancer retrograde also. Plus all those other Cancer things. I'm looking forward to a most insightful birthday this year! I'll be lying on a beach that day. I'm going to probably write up a storm...

Valerie

[Noelle Theard]

your work is brilliant!

[Cindy]

Very informative...I think that here, though..."The first step is when Mercury conjuncts the Sun in forward motion after its retrograde period." you mean 'before its retrograde period', yes?
Thanks for this, I'm looking forward to part 2.

[annie]

This is beautiful.....beyond words. You truly are a gift from the Universe Robert. Bless you for your work and generosity and gift through this website. It extends beyond anything you might imagine, I have no doubt.

annie in Oz

[irpsit]

I know that seems slighty offtopic but I felt a great urge to manifest this in this moment.

Thank you for all of you here...

----

Beyond every problem that may be
Beyond every change that may be occuring
To feel the love, the love in every and each moment, is in reality one of the most important things we may do

Its a truly pathway to happiness, to our well-being and peace of mind
Its a great contribution, a beautiful and giant step on our spiritual evolution

Be doing dishes, talking to a friend or workmate, or riding the bus, it is on getting aware of the presence of love in each moment, that we may have a great gift to offer to the universe and the world in general
It is an act that touches the spirit in every way
Touches ours and the spirit of everybody and everything

[aisha]

Dear Robert my birthday is 3 July but significantly my natal mars sits at 7 degree cancer, sun at 11 degree cancer and venus at 14 degree cancer all in conjunction with each other in the second house. do let me know, if you have time, how mars at the same degree of retrograde would affect me. thanks for all the insight.

aisha

[Robert]

Hi Valerie - Mercury RX is good for writing, since the craft involves a set of non-linear pieces all coming together after the fact. Very few writers can do it from first to last step like Kerouac, but then most of us have to sleep once in a while AND have computers. Happy Birthday and Solar Return. Enjoy the beach!

Hi Noelle - Thanks. I suppose it's partly because my "Life Angel" is Light.

Hi Cindy - Actually, it's both before AND after the RX period. First, After an RX period, Mercury races forward and superior conjuncts the Sun. Then it gets as far ahead as it can get, and begins to slow down. Then it goes rx, when it inferior conjuncts the Sun and slips "behind the Sun." Then it goes direct and speeds up again until it again superior conjuncts the Sun, and so forth.

Hi annie - Thanks for your praise of the work, and for the appreciation you so generously offer. Of course, there is much more to be done, but all in good time. As many of you know, eventually I'd like to expand the connection into progressive science, thought, and social connectedness in a multimedia forum. I believe there are more in this world committed to a better world than we are led to believe. This is but one gathering place of many, and I do know one big thing: the people who come here are sensitive, questing, intelligent, and know they are interconnected with all that is. I know this because of what I write, and the response of those who come here. Again, thanks.

Hi Irpsit - What you wrote is so true. It's why I try to remind people there's nothing in this world that warrants us being in a non-loving state. To be other than loving, however that is in the moment, only leads to forms of suffering. And that's why the generation of bodhichitta, or goodwill, is the antidote for much of what ails humanity. The "will to good" is founded on unconditional Love, and generates momentum that strengthens all of us individually and together every moment we're here. So no, a discussion of how to witness the presence of love in each moment is never "off-topic."

Hi aisha - I believe you will get insights, information, and ideas this Mercury RX that will help you see patterns of actions to come. Your Cancer stellium shows you will begin a new two year cycle in your Cancer sector as well as your Aries, Taurus, Leo, Libra, and Scorpio sectors when Mars crosses these the first time in Nov-Dec. Then you will have to slow down, perhaps re-do something, or straighten out some energetics while it's RX showing you things you didn't see before that must be dealt with before you actually begin your new two year work. Then when it goes direct in late Gemini, you'll pick up where you left off in the Autumn, and finally move into the new realm of activity. September will be when you can take proactive action to mitigate what you'll be dealing with Jan-Feb 2008.

[Calypso Jones]

Yep, you are an inspiration. I wish you would do online classes!

[Saturn's Daughter]

Hi Robert,

I realized the other day that once Mercury goes retrograde, there will be an awful lot of planets in "review" mode: neptune, saturn, jupiter, pluto, then mercury (not to mention the upcoming venus rx). How do you anticipate that all this looking back is going to influence us down here this summer?

I have a second, unrelated question. I am familiar w/ the Saturn return (which I am wrapping up at the moment...I was born w/ Saturn rx in Leo) and how it impacts the sun signs, but I would like to know if there is a Saturn return for rising signs also. I ask because I am a rising Virgo, and I am hoping that I'm not in for another 2.5 years of Saturn lessons (moreso than the usual ones "enjoyed" by all us Capricorns) when Saturn changes signs in a couple of months...

Thanks for sharing your wealth of information!
SD

[Cindy]

Thanks, Robert. I was starting at the point of this rx period, and I see now that you were using the previous rx as a starting point, so it's after and before all at the same time.
Transiting Mercury is opposite my Jupiter right now, and my natal Mercury is square natal Uranus rx which is opposite natal Chiron, so also square natal Mercury...lots to process ;-)...my birth data is Dec 6th 1960 1:28 am EST

[Robert]

Hi Calypso - All in good time. Now I just need to be three of me to do all the work I have to do!

Hi Saturn's Daughter - Well, all the planets go retrograde at some point except the Sun and Moon. Usually a RX means a slowing and turning inward, or a time when the unconscious factors come to the surface in some way, esp. the inner planets. The outers show us our larger purpose within the greater field. We get "echos" of whatever the lessons are when RX, and must implement our new understanding when they go direct. I wouldn't think there's a significance to an Asc return, since that happens every day. That said, there is a return of Saturn conj Asc every 29 years, which I've written about. I just had Saturn conj my Asc since Summer 2005, and it's been a time of heavy work, heavy responsibility, and radical international recognition for my discipline, aka, this column. Lots of work and things to do, but much authorship of my new self image as well. Last time Saturn conjuncted my Asc was the mid 70s. Now I see myself and my purpose from an entirely different angle of view.

Hi Cindy - In a few months you'll have a Jupiter return, so enjoy! Throughout the late Autumn and Winter you'll be working out your natal Mars RX opposed Jupiter-Saturn conjunction, which by early next year should propel you into a greater life than you've known up to now. Just try to use the transiting Saturn square your natal Mercury to open to new ideas and perspectives, and don't underestimate your possibilities. Finish up whatever education you've been undertaking since October 2006, as you're about to go into a new arena in September.

[chickie]

Your Highness,

I'm feeling pretty good about the retrograde. Those 3 weeks mercury will conjunct my Uranus 3rd house and trine Jupiter in pisces 12th. I suspect that the bad boy we spoke of a couple of weeks ago you said I should NOT be playing house with has venus mars jupiter at 7 Cancer will be returning and I'll be ready for that bag o' noise, thanks to you my dear!

And only the Goddess knows what I'll be writing about! Hell I might even get arrested for speed typing!

The only negativo I do see is that I may also be going BACK east cuz i have a feeling I will lose my dear uncle who is the head of my maternal side of the family. But I think I'm due for sorrows since I lost my father 7/17/04. We'll see.

Thanks for a great piece.

c

[Robert]

Hi chickie - I suspect this RX may be better than we think, especially with the Grand Fire Trine. You'll no doubt get feeling innovations that help you understand how to flow into the big void of radical forgiveness. (I do have Jupiter in Pisces, you know!) People with a lot of planets in Cancer need to open, invite, and trust. Period. Speed typing may be the only thing safe to speed at!

Joy and sorrow at your uncle's imminent passage. Welcome the blessing of being the priestess presiding over the energy transfer, and listen for the beating of the wings. It's awesome. Feeling sorrow is not a problem. Not being able to feel what is appropriate is a drag. Having felt sorrow many times, it's a true blessing to be able to allow others to do that as needed, while providing a clear space without push and pull. It's sort of like being a "grief linebacker" but with no physical contact, just emotional initiative. Blessings be, my dear.

[Cindy]

Thanks so much, Robert.
I've been feeling like I have been picking up the 'threads' of a new life and new way of being, and weaving them all together into a life that I cannot see yet, so it is good to have somewhat of a time frame for this, as well as confirmation of what I am going through. October did start a new cycle and new awareness for me, I saw a lot of connections through the personal name asteroids at that time. Can you point me in the general direction of what you are looking at for connecting this cycle to Sept. 07?

[Robert]

Hi Cindy - Saturn will no longer be square your Mercury and conjunct your Uranus. Once it enters Virgo, will begin to conjunct your Pluto, trine your Jupiter, sextile your Neptune, and upper square your Sun. It's a whole different vibe than what you've known up to now.

[Cindy]

Thanks again! I hope it's a good vibe.
You might like this...http://www.foreveryoungbook.com/
I came across it today...a book of candid photos of Dylan from 1964.

[Shelley]

You are a fountain of knowledge and I always look forward to your articles.

[Robert]

Hi Cindy - What a great find! "I was so much older then I'm younger than that now..." And "Look" magazine said he was "too scruffy?" No wonder they went out of business. There was an energy in the air then that I've always hoped would be restored someday. Perhaps after the present collective insanity passes we shall see a renewal of joy, celebration, and "lightness of being." Even though things were pretty intense in 1964-66, with war and riots and racial tensions, there were strong voices, like Dylan, Seeger, Phil Ochs, Donovan, P.F. Sloan, Ginsberg, Ferlinghetti, Robert Bly, the Fugs, (along with Martin and Bobby!), and others, who cut through the darkness like laser beams sending the cockroaches fleeing into the shadows.

[Cindy]

Hi Robert,
I thought that was a great find, too. There's a photography show in Philly which includes Gilbert's work, and I saw a postcard promoting the show with a Dylan photo on the back and did some research and found the book info.
I'd love to see that renewal of joy and lightness of being! Many of those people that you list, though, had Pluto in Leo. I've been watching 'No Direction Home'...and that creativity and sun-like quality was so powerfully present. I remember reading somewhere (in a Pluto Astrology article or book), though, that the Pluto in Leo impulse will give rise to an Aquarian focus...so maybe it's coming back in a transformed way.

[Robert]

Hi Cindy - I've often wondered if what Uranus awakened in Aquarius, set into collective consciousness while Neptune in Aquarius, won't be radically transforming our world when Pluto is in Aquarius. Seeger, Ginsberg, Bly, and Brother Lawrence I believe were Pluto in Cancer, of the group when it was closely conjunct Transpluto, the planet of Divine Mother energies. Many of the most powerful antiwar musicians of the 60s were of course Pluto in Leo, but then there are are many with Pluto in Leo who are uhhhhhh.... Dubya and Wolfie spring to mind. I have always felt the quickening of the awakening may have correlations to early 1964, when Jupiter was in Aries and Saturn was in late Aquarius. Neptune will traverse Saturn's 1964 position over the next few years.

[Cindy]

My understanding is that those of the Pluto in Leo vibration who are able to embrace the polarity of Aquarius, in their maturity will be able to bring their gifts of leadership and self-actualization to benefit the greater society. I wish I could find where I had read that, so I would know if I am correct, but I do remember something about this time being when that could happen on a large scale. Maybe it's related to the Chiron return or second Saturn return? You make a good example of this idea, in any case ;-).
For someone like GWB, with Pluto in Leo in the first house conjunct Mercury, and South Node in Sag, just to pick out a few possible factors...being aware of others seems well-nigh impossible :-). There's definitely a relationship to individual development and past life factors here.
Another thought, on the Pluto in Aquarius thing..the Human Design System has a prediction of a shift in consciousness for babies born in the year 2027...

Though, I'm starting to feel like the person who knows a little bit of Spanish and starts speaking to a native Spaniard...trying to keep my nose above the water line...

[Robert]

Hi Cindy - The entire issue of what makes for excellence or degradation within a generation speaks more to the power of nurture than nature. And past life karmas as well. No doubt Dubya and his dad are the re-embodiment of a Roman historical drama. Often thought it would make a great screenplay! Leo exteriorizes through Aquarius, so you're on track. Of course there are shifts in consciousness with each generation. And we always have the power to transcend the lower nature, since that seems to be part of the eternal human equation of conscious development.

[Corinna]

Great article!! I was born June 28, 1964 Toronto Canada and have Cancer at 6 degrees 54 seconds. What you wrote is very real for me. Thanks for all your insights. They are helpful. I also have a grand cross and find the energy hard to balance at times. However I choose a career in Law Enforcement which has allowed me to express alot of my spirit. I still have a yearning for writing, a passion for reading and a heart for pets and my garden. Quite a compossion of qualities eh!! Robert, any thoughts on how I can balance my feelings?

Namaste

[Robert]

Hi Corinna - You were born at a magical time, when most of the top ten slots were held by Beatle songs, the only time in history that's ever happened. And there was unrest as well, due to inequality and injustice arousing the public spirit. You have Moon in Aquarius, so you're a true progressive. Learn more faith and trust as you seek elementary understandings about that which is elusive. Keep cleaning out obsolete thinking, and expect some interesting gifts as your status quo keeps dissolving over time into new concrete forms.

You have a very favorable Sun that helps your Saturn opposition Uranus. Your Cancer-Virgo-Pisces is great with animals and plants, as well as forms of public service. Learn to flow, take little for granted, and learn how to stop pushing and consolidate your gains at key moments rather than push out and find the limb breaking. Definitely avoid useless, divertive struggles, and turn from lesser things when greater things are at stake. Your gift is in knowing consequences when you're not distracted by pushing when you should be backing off.

[Corinna]

Robert I thank you for your illuminating words. I happened upon a website tonight that has copied most of your text/work and posted it on the internet. I thought you may want to know about it:

astrotribe.tribe.net/thread/ad9480b9-b2e0-48d2-a33d-f771833fdcc9 - 66k -

Once again terrific work!

CC

[Robert]

Hi Corinna - Thanks for the tip. Yes, it's a tribe member named "God Star" in the Bay area. He does that every so often. As long as he attributes the posts to me and provides a link, I'm cool with that. And I do appreciate my people letting me know such things, since in the past there have been fraudulent "spiritual advisors" and "mystics to the stars" and other such hustlers that have actually lifted my words and put their own names on them. Of course, in a google world that's just stupid, since it seems these days "you can run but you cannot hide." Often they post for a few days, and then delete them. I always have great thanks for anyone letting me know of other sites using my insights. Nyet problema, as long as authorship is credited. It's only fair.