Mercury Retrograde in Gemini in May-June 2008, Part 1 - Integrating Our Intuitions Releasing Our Genius Adjusting Our Possibilities

by Robert Wilkinson

Yes, it's THAT time again! Three times each year, Mercury goes retrograde, throwing many people and circumstances into a whirlwind of over, under, sideways and down. But does it? Just what is Mercury retrograde, and how will this one affect us?

When you're done here, you can find out a whole lot more about the general meaning of the phenomenon known as Mercury Retrograde by checking out the article, Mercury Retrograde - A New Look at the Guide of Souls. It may serve to help you pierce through many of the superstitions and suppositions concerning this repeating phenomenon, and how it works in our lives. That said, let's examine our current Mercury Retrograde period.

This Gemini Mercury Retrograde period starts 8:48 am PDT May 26 (May 27 in far east Asia) and ends 7:31 am PDT June 19. This retrograde moves from 22 degrees Gemini back to 13 Gemini, with the inferior conjunction of Mercury and the Sun occurring at 18 degrees Gemini at 8:27 am PDT just before Mercury conjuncts Venus as it conjuncts the Sun.

This retrograde beginning at 22 Gemini retraces ground we covered May 10-26, and the degree is "Dancing Couples in a Harvest Festival," symbolizing "richness of life in associations based on natural instincts," and "warmth of simple living," Rudhyar also says this degree "stresses the value of rhythmic, healthful activity in a natural setup... (leading to a) much needed process of bioenergetic rebuilding," and finding a greater harmony with natural processes where our mind and "natural emotions" can be active and balanced. It is in the Span of "Restlessness," and the counterpoint degree in the Emotional-Social-Cultural level of "Exteriorization."

According to Dr. Jones, creator of the Sabian Symbols, it is a degree of fulfillment in and through everyday community activities shared with others. Its formula is Manipulating, Practical, Ingenious, Generalizing, Social, and Sensitive. He offers the keyword GREGARIOUSNESS, and says it's a degree where "Richness of living comes from an uninhibited sharing of everyday potentialities, together with a... happy give and take" between individuals.

We also find that it offers "an ability to plunge into major and rewarding experiences without the least self-reservation," which to me shows it's time for all of us to get out and dance with various members of our community in whatever activities float our boats. Just be alert to those who turn to superficialities and petty indulgences for self-satisfaction or self-assurance.

Of note is that at the time Mercury goes stationary retrograde, the Sun is in the Gemini zone of the Grand Irrationality, triggering that on-going configuration and making it an active part of the Mercury retrograde lessons for this period of time. It seems that every Mercury retrograde of the past year has something triggering the Grand Irrationality. From the January 2008 Mercury retrograde article:

... This stationary degree is conjunct Neptune and septile Pluto and Venus, thus triggering a long term "Grand Irrationality" effect. This is yet another in a string of Mercury sensitive points that are triggering this long wave global irrationality.

A look back at previous Mercury retrograde articles discusses this more extensively, but in just one example, Mercury's RX station in October 2007 at 10 Scorpio put it biseptile Neptune's stationary RX point of Spring 2007. This stationary point is within the "hot zone" created then that will be triggered continuously by Neptune and Pluto throughout 2008-2009 as they respectively biseptile and septile this Scorpio point.

This would indicate that whatever "threshold" lessons, ideas, and perceptions the October-November 2007 Scorpio-Libra retrograde held for us will help us move into our Higher Destiny over the next two years each time the Grand Irrationality pattern is triggered by transits, including the Moon. As a result of deepened relationships and connectedness with life, expect opportunities to teach and be taught how to manage feelings and social-cultural experiences. This will help many to find a group work where they can embrace higher ideals and activities creating a better world on whatever level that group operates.

You can reference Spiritual Astrology in May-June 2008 Pt. 1 - Retrograde Jupiter Bringing Rewards for Courage Dancing With Saturn Direct at the Threshold of A Liberating Ordeal to learn more about the weird larger atmosphere of the Grand Irrationality that is affecting all of us from time to time throughout the year. Due to the Sun activating the larger irrationality pattern, expect Leo-related things and people to go through choices and changes marking a fork in the road of destiny.

During any Mercury retrograde period there are always strange twists and turns and returns. However, if it's not a return of something you should have taken care of before then, remember that whatever happens it probably won't turn out the way it seems at the time.

This retrograde Mercury starts off almost completely unaspected. Though it is extremely close to a quincunx to Jupiter, square to Uranus, and trine to Neptune, it retrogrades away from these aspects, showing we stand on the threshold of whatever these mean, but for now they remain unfulfilled until July. The only aspect Mercury makes at this time is a tight quintile to Saturn, which should bring us specializations, gifts, and unique circumstances in the life departments ruled by Gemini, Virgo, Capricorn, and Aquarius.

With Saturn on the "Two Guardian Angels" degree, we should see physical and non-physical "angels" coming to our assistance, as well as inner powers manifest we may not have suspected we have. We should see the supply of all of our needs, one way or another, and the security resulting from our ability to find an effective fulfillment of our dreams.

Due to the RX, it may take us a while to see these results of those choices precipitated by the Sun at this larger "fork in the road of destiny," as well as the Divine assistance promised by the Mercury quintile Saturn. These gifts and unique circumstances will be further precipitated at the time Mars crosses 3 Virgo on its way to a conjunction with Saturn at 6 Virgo in early July.

Mercury retrogrades through some important minor aspects to the other planets this period. In June it makes biquintiles to Jupiter and important binoviles to Saturn and Uranus, thus bisecting the quadranovile between Saturn and Uranus.

The novile series aspects bring forms of realizations arising from what has been gestating and mark culmination steps in how things express spiritually. You can bet that by late June we'll all have seen some things finalize in revelations and understandings about where things stand between us and others using a spiritual yardstick.

At least the hard edge of The Grand Irrationality will be an indirect influence in June, since other than the Solar trigger at the front end, the only times the configuration is set off in June is when the Moon passes through the hot zones of the Grand Irrationality. You can find when these times are by going to the Spiritual Astrology article linked earlier in this post.

Mercury toward the end of its RX period is in mid-Gemini, said to be a span of "Zeal" in the Individual-Mental level of "Discovery." While Mercury is in Gemini many will find they are receiving a LOT of mental impressions, which may or may not be well ordered. Expect a profusion of ideas, communications, insights and evaluations that will take many twists and turns before becoming clear visions of how to decide and what to do.

The Mercury septile to Mars in late May and early June shows that people with planets around 22 Gemini, 11 Leo, 2 Libra, 24 Scorpio, 15 Capricorn, 6 Pisces, and 28 Aries will be most impacted by Mercury's stationary point. This septile will of course constitute its own mini "Grand Irrationality," with choices and changes worked out in the houses we have Gemini and Leo, affecting houses and planets in Aries, Gemini, Virgo, and Scorpio.

Mercury goes stationary direct at 13 Gemini on June 19 just before the Summer Solstice at 4:59 pm PDT on June 20 (June 21 time zones east of London). It makes a strong quintile to Mars while binoviling Saturn and Uranus as noted previously, marking highly specialed gifts and major social, cultural, and spiritual-individualizing realizations.

Another significant related factor in this period around the Summer Solstice is Mars biquintiling Jupiter, thus creating a quintile-double biquintile "Kite" pattern involving Mercury, Mars, and Jupiter. This will bring special circumstances and major gifts for those who have cultivated any specialized qualities associated with these planets in these signs.

Also of importance during this retrograde is that Mercury disposits the Sun, Venus, and Saturn, and so directly influences our Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Capricorn, and Aquarius houses and planets. Of especial note is that at the Inferior Conjunction it is conjunct Venus and in several harmonious or specializing aspects with other planets, so overall this should be a fairly productive if highly specialized period.

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 getting clearer about our understanding of a larger vision related to many things, people, and experiences, where we can integrating, harmonizing and broaden our aspirations we're in training to manifest during this Saturn in Virgo era.

Mercury going stationary direct at 13 Gemini on June 19-20 shows that through September 24, 2008, we will have opportunities to reach a "climax of selfhood," an elevation of our social standing, and become a potential source of inspiration for others. Many will find fulfillment in performing some social function which generates prestige, mobilizing emotions in ways that challenge all to become greater than they were. Others will find a "ghastly sense of emptiness at the end of the quest."

Rudhyar says it's a point of moving into new realms and successfully challenging fears and insecurities of the past "engraved upon the unconscious." From his "Astrological Mandala":

Having achieved this liberation, one can bring to the environment the power generated by self-discipline, skill, and self confidence. One has become an at least potential SOURCE OF INSPIRATION.

So at the end of this retrograde period, we'll wind up with new forms of our individual artistry, refined skills and talents, and an expanded dimension of personal self-expression. It marks a time of achievements, unique to who we are and the talents we have cultivated. At best we can demonstrate a "creative assurance which contributes enduring overtones to human understanding."

So it seems that we can wind up with new ideas, visions, understanding and specialized skills as a result of this period, building on the new ideals, new friendships, and ways of serving a greater good for the greatest number that came out of the Mercury retrograde of January-February 2008. This initiates a time of sharing our expertise with others, becoming a source of inspiration, and marks a time of climax.

Prepare, adapt, express, and get ready to act in precise and practical ways when Mars enters Virgo and conjuncts Saturn in mid-July, setting a new 2+ year cycle of Dharma into motion. This is a last look back at recent discoveries to figure out what needs to be externalized, and how. A sense of insulation should show us our allies and those who share our cultural "background," leading us to understand our independence from the environment and how to sustain ourselves despite conditions.

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.

If you want to know how this larger sequence of Mercury retrograde periods is unfolding its roundabout magic, please check out the archives from January-February 2008, as well as October 2007, June 2007 and January-February 2007. Each of these periods have several articles, so enjoy connecting the dots by looking back to get a sense of the future.

On that note, obviously there are more Mercury retrograde articles coming over the next few days. Part 2 will cover how it affects individual birthdays, while others that follow will discuss the coming Inferior Conjunction and what this Mercury Retrograde in Gemini is specifically good for.

Copyright © 2008 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[alessandra]

Dear Robert,

Thank you for all your offerings of wisdom. Until now, literaly everything that you announced was right for me. I'm in a dilemma thought, trying to figure out a person that I thought I could read and understand (he was born May 1st, 1958) and don't know if whatever was between us was genuine. Am I simply wrong ? I can't wait for these feelings of pain to go, so I can breathe and function normally again.

alessandra born 2nd july 1967

[AceStar]

dear Robert! hope you r fine my friend :)
waiting for your article about which planets we love and why! like everyday we see stars in the sky and i dont know how you gonna put it together i know it need research but i am waiting :)
thanks
Best of Luck my friend :)

Love

[larissa]

Robert, what is "two guardian angels degree" of Saturn? Thank you

[larissa]

Hi Robert, when exactly those days are? ("Two Guardian Angels" degree) Thank you

[Micheline]

Hi, Robert, How are you? I hope you are well. I have a question. My true node or north node is at 22 degrees mercury. How will a mercry retrograde effect a north node connection to ones natal chart? Mine happens to be in my 11th house as well. Thanks

[Micheline]

shoot i left out the fact thats it in gemini as well. haaahahhah sorry my brain is like jello this morning

[Elizabeth]

Thanks Robert,

This sounds like a good mercury retrograde, I'm always excited to hear about good ones since mercury is my ruler (5/28/63..6 degrees gemini).

Thanks for your continued efforts and offerings.

Happy Memorial Day weekend!
Elizabeth

[Robert]

Hi Alessandra - You're welcome. I cannot know based on your birthday how another feels in the depth of their heart. 1958 Taurus people are loyal to a fault. It's just you cannot know what prior loyalties may be intruding into their present reality. This is where free will intersects with fate. Do not regard it as "right or wrong." Keep breathing and loving and breathing and loving and go hang out with good friends. If he "belongs" with you, he'll be back, and if not, then don't waste one precious moment lamenting an illusion. You deserve to be courted by the perfect person at the perfect time in the perfect way. Anything less is unworthy of your loving heart.

Hi AceStar - Yes, I haven't had much time to post or answer things lately, between being sick and overwhelmed with non-astrological things to do. Must get fruit trees and grape vines in now since this is the time of year to do such things! Also, must figure out what I can say in such an article so that the spirit of it gets communicated in ways that people enjoy.

Hi Larissa - 3 Virgo. Approximately March 23-April 13 and May 21-June 10.

Hi Micheline - Well, other than a nasty windburn from the high desert brutally strong winds (50+ mph gusts!) I'm kinda-sorta fine. Still don't like betrayers, but I suppose that's my problem that I share with people of integrity all over the world. This Mercury station on your NN should mark the beginning of new Gemini growth and development in your life. I would think you'll be meeting and greeting new friends and new ambitions as well as larger group work that should be much clearer over the next few weeks. Of course, it could also put you at a dilemma as to which goal to pursue. Think "both-and" rather than "either-or" should this present itself.

Hi Elizabeth - I believe this will be a good Mercury retrograde, where things will move forward despite the appearance of moving backwards. It should be good for our Air sign planets, if we have them, and help us release old stuck bogged down power struggles by opening the field and offering us a chance to do precision work. Mars should be particularly good for you the next few weeks. Expect new developments when Mars conjuncts Saturn lower square your Sun beginning the second week of July. Flow, open, and see the larger possibilities. By September you'll know what, why, and how, and by next January-February you'll be in your groove to greater things.

[Melika]

Hi Robert,

I don't think you have said anything about Mars in Leo this time around. Is it not that big an event because we have more of an Earth influence now (but will be a bigger event when Mars goes into Virgo and conjuncts Saturn)? On Tuesday, Mars conjuncts my Mars in Leo in the 7th house. Could you give me any insight into that? I think last year when Mars conjuncted my dad's Mars in Taurus, you told me that he would have a new two-year period of activity. Is that what Mars conjunct Mars always means? More specifically, I'm wondering about if you think there could be any developments or new activity with any partners in my life. (It doesn't seem like there has been anything new in that area in a long time.) Thanks, Robert!

[Wild horse running]

Dearest Robert...

There is change in the air....today I awoke after a very very emotional full moon week, to some behavior I have to let go of.....and in this article ref Merc Rx station...my NNode sits at 2 Libra/12th...and my Sun 22 Scorp/2nd...so I will be able to finally utilize inner strength/power to transform old "dark" energies...and move toward the possibilities of my NNode in Libra...in the 12th...spiritual connections? I was shown in a few important dreams ref "Christmas in July"....so I know that after this week...the time has come to demonstrate the possibilities of my higher self.
Best wishes to all on their flight upward....

[Nan]

What is about 1958 Taureans that makes them loyal to a fault, as you mentioned?

[Robert]

Hi Melika - No, you're right. I haven't done anything on Mars lately. I probably will, but in a form different than the last series, which ran awhile but became the articles that ate Cleveland due to their length and detail. Yes, Mars conjunct Saturn triggers new cycles, with Mutable Earth the conditioning field. However, since none of the inner planets will be in Earth, the Mars effect will mainly work itself out through the outer planet aspects.

Mars conjunct the natal Mars does in fact set a new two year Mars cycle into motion. Mars rules our "attack" on life, what we boldly or determinedly set about to do, efficiently and to the point. We renew our energy, resolve, and direction of energy application when Mars returns to its natal position. I'll probably use these comments to do an article on the cycles of Mars. With Mars in the 7th, yes, it should mean a new cycle of how you relate to others and the types of people who more perfectly exemplify how your Mars has evolved since the last time two years ago. It will further express the wisdom you've found as a result of Saturn crossing your Mars.

Hi WHR - Change is in fact in the air, and many things perceived and understood of the recent past will be revisited. The stationary point trine Neptune, square Uranus, and quincunx Jupiter should make for interesting adjustments. Your Sun is very favorably attuned with Jupiter sextile Uranus. As planets pass through 8-12 Virgo between July and early September you should feel the quintile effect strongly, especially combined with Jupiter's septile and Saturn's quintile. September's Libra transits will complete many things, balance many things, and be rewarded for your efforts opening new doors of view, motive, and universal awareness.

Hi Nan - Taurus born the year of the Fire Dog. Ultimate loyalists.

[Micheline]

Hi, Robert, I have never had a windburn. Phew. You need to do what the arabic and african people do when they go out in the desert, cover your head and face. Turbans have their usefulness. I understand how you feel about people being unloyal. I have had a few of those experiences myself. Yes, I think, what you say makes total sense to me. I am going to meet moe people. As I did tonite, and it seems my circle of friendships is expanding. I go to Canada for a whole month and will be doing some research to see if I can meet some like minded homo sapiens. I sound so clinical don'. I will use the both rather then the i this or that idea. Thanks for your advice. I really appreciate it. You are such a generous person. I am very thankful.
take care and next time you go out to the desert try the turban idea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dF04XGKf8c
take care of yourself
micheline

[Tiffany]

Thanks for the article, Robert! I'm really, really hoping this Mercury Rx is much kinder to me than the last one. Last time around, I had all kinds of things go 'wrong' so it looks like this one may be a bit easier to handle. Thanks again!

[Dorothy Stahlnecker]

I'm so pleased Joh blogs sent me here. I'm 61, battling Ovarian Cancer, just when I thought I'd have more time for our blog www.grammology.com to excel. All while still selling full time (commercial real estate) Life is never quite what you predict..I really never thought astrology had a part of my destiny however, today I change my thoughts.. I've bookmarked will come back and I'm sure will enjoy all you offer...my best.

Dorothy from grammology
remember to call your gram
www.grammology.com

[Sue Moon]

A brief question: My Uranus is 26 Gemini in the 5th, how can I best utilize this Mercury Rx? Like everyone my whole life is changing and I so want to get it right.
Thank you for being here for us all, like a lifeline for drowning swimmers. I ask that you be blessed with peace and joy and all that you desire. Jai Bhagwan

[Robert]

Hi Micheline - Great link, but I'd be a bit worried that if I wore a turban and face guard the government would haul me away for questioning! ;-) (That's actually not a joke these days, with the rampant xenophobia Amerika has embraced these days.) Enjoy Canada. They seem actually to be a civilized country.

Hi Tiffany - This Mercury RX should be very productive in helping us all rebuild and find those who share our "culture." By mid-June, we'll know what "quest" we've ended and which we've begun.

Hi Dorothy - Great blog site! Glad you found this cantina at the intersection of Fate Street and Free Will Street on Eternity Boulevard. Sorry you're dealing with cancer, but there are so many cures that actually work for various types that I always encourage people to see it as a challenge of how to live, and live well. Truly life is what happens while you're making plans. Glad you're enjoying the material posted here. The community is also great, with more than a few of us grandfathers and grandmothers showing up here for good company and good discussions. Definitely come on back and sit a spell....

[Robert]

Hi Sue Moon - Sorry I didn't answer this above, but you posted literally one minute before I posted my answer. I would think you could examine what you like and find new enjoyment in things left behind a while ago. Find a new way of expressing old creativity and play. Take a new look at your uniqueness, and synthesize all you've learned in the recent past into a larger vision. Of great importance is Neptune trine your Uranus the next few years. And of course, you're most welcome. Thanks for your blessings. If I get all I desire, my life and the lives of many others will be changed very much for the better! My Namaskarams to you as well!