Astrology and Mercury Retrograde November-December 2011 in Sagittarius - What Is Mercury Retrograde?

by Robert Wilkinson

Mercury goes retrograde at 21 Sagittarius on November 23, 11:21 pm PST, 2:21 am EST Nov 24, 7:21 am Greenwich. Over the next few days we'll examine the meaning of this phenomenon and how we can make best use of these recurring periods.

Usually, Mercury goes retrograde 3 times each year, but this year, like last year, we have a 4th Mercury retrograde period, making this a somewhat unusual time. When Mercury is retrograde, it seems to throw people and situations into a whirlwind of over, under, sideways and down. But does it really? Just what is Mercury retrograde? In the next few weeks we'll discover many things about how Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius affects us.

Mercury retrograde is one of the most misunderstood parts of astrology. Many have heard about it, but don't know what it really is. I've given an introduction about the general meaning of the phenomenon known as Mercury Retrograde in the article, Mercury Retrograde - A New Look at the Guide of Souls. It was written to assist readers to pierce through many of the superstitions and suppositions concerning this repeating phenomenon, and how it works in our lives.

There's too much to recap here, so if you're not familiar with the technical elements and basic meanings of this Mercurial phenomenon happening 3 times a year, please read that article so you can understand better what this coming period is about, and how best to approach its challenges and potentialities.

I'll be composing more about what the coming retrograde period is about in future articles. For now, I'll just mention that we'll get new insights about our truth, potentials, wider futures, or a greater sense of freedom after certain things are taken care of. We'll get a new look at all of these so that we can become clearer about how to teach and learn some basic skills we'll need to move forward in our lives. These will need to be put into play by mid-January.

Since Mercury is behind all the other inner planets, it will function to bring insights, reflections, and new understanding about things we've already experienced through Venus before now. This period we'll review Sagittarius things in our lives, so keep an eye to the house where this retrograde falls since that's where returns, reviews, new insights, and new understanding of past things will be found. More on that to come in another article.

In Sagittarius, we solidify a greater truth or view to confirm why we had to eliminate whatever we needed to in Scorpio. This can bring the return of old truths in new perspectives, or the renewal of a future we've neglected. It could bring the return of a teaching, or a new look at old spiritual beacons.

Sometimes a retrograde indicates a period of returns and/or rediscoveries; other times it's a period of looking back to change some things so that we can "get it right" when Mercury again goes direct. In any case, we can understand the challenges and opportunities by looking at the sign(s) and house(s) where the retrograde is happening.

As noted in the article before this one, this Mercury retrograde will feature a Mutable T-square of some major importance. During the days that T-square is exact around November 30 through December 4 the Sun and Mercury retrograde will also be making close semisquares to Saturn, showing a time of major internal decision and change. The themes are taking control of our trajectories, pulling out of nosedives, plunging into a greater truth or future, using both will and love, mind and heart, to achieve a form of mastery and transcendent peace. I'll elaborate on all of this in the next article in this series.

Throughout the retrograde period, we'll get many insights, returns, and renewals. Some hints of these have already begun to manifest in my life. Mercury retrograde is always good for looking back to see what we didn't in earlier times. However, also remember that there also may be delays, misunderstandings can occur and/or be resolved, and that much may come in roundabout or even apparently contradictory ways.

So the coming weeks will give us a new look at recent Sagittarian developments, as well as herald important developments that will show up in mid-January. Since this retrograde is in Sagittarius, take a look back at events and truths offered when Jupiter was in Sagittarius between November 2006 and December 2007. By the time Mercury and the Sun make their Superior Conjunction in early February, it will again unveil more Aquarian truths and visions set into motion October 2009.

So finish getting your affairs in order as soon as possible and continue adjusting to the different pace symbolized by Mercury slowing down very quickly during the past and current weeks. Get ready to take an unusual view, do your research, rehearsals, and examine peripherals since they may be more important than we initially thought. More on all of this, plus how it affects individual signs, in future articles.

Already posted: The Guide of Souls in November-December 2011 - Mercury Slowing Down, Preparing to go Retrograde at 21 Sagittarius

Copyright © 2011 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Ann]

Thank you for all this information Robert. Very helpful and appreciated. I'm about to enter talks re divorce beginning December regarding a long marriage which ended Dec 2007. 7th house is 3/4 Sagittarius with Saturn! I'm looking forward to your article mentioning 'Sagittarian things'. There's Good in everything! Right?

[daz hastings]

wow. i really don't understand why dec 2006-dec 2007 is significant. how is where jupiter was at then related to mercury now?

[Robert]

Hi Ann - Well, a Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius would be a time to revisit some things to get clear about legal issues. Saturn should provide structure to things that have been first glimpsed up to now via Venus, and will get "a new look" via the Merc RX. The Sun should provide light and integration in December.

Hi Daz - Because Mercury is "looking back" at all things Sag. Jupiter set some truths and futures into motion back then. In other words, what Jupiter, the "Higher Mind," set into motion in 2007 is now getting a new look by Mercury, the "lower mind," as it looks back at Sag whatever. Another way to look at it is that Mercury, the Guide of Souls, is taking a new look at some truths Jupiter offered us back then so that we may reconsider some possibilities or promises of a bigger picture.

[mina]

Wow Robert,

Thank you for your articles , great enlightnment!

A bit about end of 2007

My natal Venus 26/27 Sag, My Juno2 Cap , Jupiter 3 Cap

There was some err tax papers, that set for revision, sum of 3 years credit in rear, I recieved juicy amount by my Jupiter return, the news came to me when Jupiter was passing my Venus.

I am actually expecting a bonus any time soon which I need so much now as I'm so in debts.....break time for change!

Much light

[Matt]

Between this and the eclipse, my chart is being lit up like a Xmas tree. Time to demonstrate what I know, review the current act and rehearse the next one!