Mercury Retrograde in Libra in September-October 2008, Part 1 - Integrating Our Intuitions Releasing Our Genius Adjusting Our Possibilities

by Robert Wilkinson

Each Mercury Retrograde period is unique, yet related to other Mercury Retrograde periods, usually because the sign element of Mercury is closely related to those of past Mercury retrograde periods. In 2008 we've already had one in Gemini and one in Aquarius, and with this one in Libra we're offered a trifecta of Air periods where we got to reconsider many ideals, ideas, relationships, remembrances, and perspectives. What does that hold for all of us?

This Libra Mercury Retrograde period starts 0:17 am PDT September 24 and ends 1:06 pm PDT October 15. This retrograde moves from 23 degrees Libra back to 8 Libra, with the inferior conjunction of Mercury and the Sun occurring at 14 degrees Libra at 1:53 pm PDT October 6, sandwiched between Venus sextile Jupiter and Saturn and Sun and Mercury square Jupiter.

This retrograde beginning at 23 Libra retraces ground we covered September 3-23. The degree is "Chanticleer Salutes the Rising Sun With Exuberant Tones," symbolizing "Capacity for self-refreshment at the inner sources of ever-reviewed life," "Anticipation of opportunity," and "Security in Self."

Rudhyar also says this degree is about "A creative and joyous response to life processes," "giving voice to what is as yet unmanifested, but is on the way to manifestation," "the vivid recognition of the as-yet-unknown in the known," and "the individual's capacity of response to life's renewals." It is in the Span of "Revelation," and the synthesis degree in the Emotional-Social-Cultural level of "Reconstruction."

According to Dr. Jones, creator of the Sabian Symbols, it is a degree of "the soul's ultimate self-realization through a basic integrity of its own insights or judgments," and an acceptance for its role in affairs. Its formula is Manipulating, Critical, Ingenious, Generalizing, Social, and Receptive. He offers the keyword FERVOR, and says it's a degree of "a fearless self-affirmation which gains a sympathetic attention and wins immediate allegiance from the hearts and minds of everybody."

We also find that it offers practical rewards which derive from our distinctions, and "the enduring significance which the self achieves for itself through the place in life it succeeds in making its own." This would indicate it's time for all of us to go deep within and find a new, more joyful response to any and all opportunities we have for self renewal. Some will have visions of the future, while others will put themselves out in ways that others will recognize and be attracted to. Just be alert to those who exhibit conceit or bombast, or ineffective attitudes.

Of note is that at the time Mercury goes stationary retrograde, Saturn is entering the Virgo 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. The Mercury RX point in May 2008 featured the Sun in the Gemini zone of the Grand Irrationality, and the one before it in January 2008 also triggered the configuration in major ways. 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 September-October 2008 Pt. 2 - The Grand Irrationality and When It Will Be Set Into Motion 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 Saturn activating the larger irrationality pattern, expect Capricorn and Aquarius related things and people to go through choices and changes marking a fork in the road of destiny.

On a final note for today, 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.

Obviously there are more Mercury retrograde articles coming over the next few days. Future parts in this series will discuss aspects and configurations with other planets, the nature of its coming stationary direct degree influences, how it affects individual birthdays, the coming Inferior Conjunction, and what this Mercury Retrograde in Libra is specifically good for.

Copyright © 2008 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Lainie]

Robert, as always, thank you for your commentary. I have Mars at this degree (22'47 Libra) and so -- with Mercury conjoining transiting Mars there AND retrograding, and a Mars return all at once, I can't wait to see what happens. The energy feels a little intense right now. Thank you and good wishes!

[michele]

wonderful info as usual....so helpful

:-)

[cheryl schwind]

dear robert,
todays blog, as well as last weeks reading have really opened my eyes to lots of new possibilities. when i find myself falling into the old habit of fear based thinking i change it. just wanted to thank you and i'll keep you posted about the things that are happening. new adventures on the horizon!
best, cheryl

[Alice]

Thanks for this fantastic article on Mercury Retro...One thing that stood out for me hit on one of the core issues of this period, what do I finish up and what should I leave alone until Mercury goes direct.

Can you elaborate on your comment: "However, if it's not a return of something you should have taken care of before then..."

Let's say I was offering a workshop that is scheduled during the retrograde period. Brochures and initial notifications were sent out prior to Mercury retrograde. Would advertising during the retrograde period be advisable or should it have been done prior to Mercury Retrograde?

[SB]

Thanks for all the insights. I was born with Mercury retrograde in the 12th house and Sun on the cusp (first 1 degree of 12th) of 12th/11th houses. Does this placement in the 12th house enforce a total inward tuning ?

Your article on Mercury retrograde has influenced so much that whatever communication goes wrong, mind automatically suspects it from this Sep 23rd.:)

SB

[robyn]

i feel this tinge. the repeat. the same situation. the retrograde in the house of 5. Libra. Balance. Fulfillment. Emptiness. The non communication warps my brain robert. Foot in mouth syndrome. Foot in heart syndrome. Foot in brain syndrome. ugh.

[Robert]

Hi Lainie - You're most welcome. You've just begun a new 2 year cycle, so enjoy! It will no doubt be a journey through the past and a "back to the future" period for you. Blessing to you as well!

Hi Michele - We'll speak soon about another interview on your wonderful radio show!

Hi Cheryl - Glad I could help you see a wider perspective. Definitely stay in touch, since we're all in for a wild ride for the next few thousand days!

Hi Alice - You can certainly advertise during a retrograde. Just prepare for possible delays, or misprints, or even that someone from the past could see it and choose to contact you again. It may even be that you'll realize something from this one that will help you shift gears in the future.

Hi SB - Not necessarily, but it could. I'll be posting things about Mercury in the houses in the near future. Or you can go to a psst article and find out some general things about Mercury in the 12th.

Hi Robyn - Yes, Mercury RX can bring strange returns. Just be fair in your self-assessments, and wait until mid-October to make a final judgment.