In the Natal Chart
Mercury in the natal chart reflects our ability to perceive, process, and communicate information. Learning, studying, speaking, writing, and travel all fall within Mercury’s domain.
DIY: Before or After the Sun?
People with Mercury rising before the Sun at the time of their birth tend to grasp new concepts quickly—but also move on just as quickly. Their mind becomes restless when it is not actively perceiving, processing, or communicating new information.
People with Mercury rising after the Sun tend to be slower and more methodical in their learning. They dig deep and prefer thorough, sustained intellectual exploration.
Which one are you? Was Mercury rising before or after the Sun at the time of your birth?
Mercury in Transit
Mercury always stays close to the Sun. It follows the Sun through its yearly cycle, and its influence is brief as it moves through the chart. Its transits over sensitive points in the natal chart typically last only a couple of days.
Mercury Retrograde
Three times a year, Mercury turns retrograde—and with it, a wave of collective anxiety seems to follow. To some extent, this reaction is understandable. But Mercury retrograde is not inherently problematic. It is neither good nor bad. It simply shifts the direction of our attention.
Mercury represents perception and intellect—our antenna for curiosity and communication. When Mercury is direct, the flow is outward. We engage with the world: we communicate, learn, travel, exchange ideas, and participate in external activities.
When Mercury turns retrograde, that flow turns inward. Our attention moves toward reflection, insight, imagination, and inner listening. My best and most insightful times are when Mercury is retrograde. I write most of my blogs during those periods are schedule them for when Mercury turns direct and I get busy with the world outside.
If you honor this shift in perception, you can balance your life activities around receiving ideas, planning, revising and insights, and times for executing those ideas and plans. If you do not follow this natural cycle, well, life picks up friction. Appointments get missed, miscommunication abound, and overall, you may feel exasperated and overwhelmed without realizing what is going on.
You have been simply running your life in a cycle that doesn’t mesh with Mercury.
Mercury retrograde periods last about three weeks and occur three times a year. Be mindful of the turning points — when Mercury stations and turns retrograde or direct. There is a natural adjustment time of 2-3 weeks around those points. So, next time when Mercury turns direct again, do not rush immediately back into full external engagement. Look up for its “shadow” period and wait until it passes before going full speed with your daily tasks.
JSJ for Mercury Retrograde?
Keeping Safety Energy Lock 24 open during Mercury retrograde periods is helpful as that SEL is so much about keeping still and calm in the face of external chaos.
It is located on the top of the foot, toward the outer side, between the base of the fourth and fifth toes.
To work with it, sit comfortably and hold SEL 24 together with the opposite underarm (SEL 26). If that is difficult, you can instead hold combination of SELs 15 and 26 on the same side.
At the same time, remember to honor the time. Pay attention to what ideas and insights come your way. Jot them down to follow on them when Mercury turns direct. Take the time to revise or review projects that you have already worked on. Reviewing your taxes is a good activity. Just don’t send them yet until Mercury turns direct.
When is Mercury Retrograde?
The time for Mercury retrograde shifts, so you have to search for it on the internet or get yourself an astrological app. I also maintain a Newsletter Cycles through which I notify my readers about such events when they occur. If you want to join my mailing list, subscribe to my Cycles Newsletter.