Mercury Retrograde in Aquarius 2022
On December 29th, the messenger planet Mercury reached 24º 22’ Capricorn and entered the pre-shadow period of its next retrograde cycle. This degree of Capricorn is where Mercury will station direct six weeks later. Mercury entered the sign of Aquarius on January 2nd and is currently at its slowest speed before it starts moving backward.
WHAT IS A RETROGRADE?
Retrogrades are known for being periods of reconsideration when decisions could be reversed or when plans get cancelled. This planet is revisiting a part of the zodiac that it had just passed over. It is taking a second look at things and may come to a different conclusion the second time around. It is like a double-take when it notices certain shortcomings or weaknesses that it had missed before. This is why Mercury retrogrades can be notorious for cell phones, laptops, and cars breaking down. Did you forget to backup your files, set an alarm, fail to put a screen protector on your phone, buy a new charger, or change your tires? Mercury will not only remind you, but show you why you cannot neglect those things. It could also be a time of hearing from someone you may or may not have been expecting, impaired judgment, making bad deals, and more easily overlooking or missing out on important details. This could also manifest as a sort of déjà vu period where life begins to look oddly familiar to how it did in the past.
WHAT DOES MERCURY REPRESENT?
Mercury’s function is to argue or destabilize. This planet represents thought, intellect, and logic while ruling over communications, commerce, and commute. If you are currently experiencing unusually poor communication with someone, or having a lapse of judgement, Mercury sitting at a standstill right now might be the reason. Use this time for maintenance and refurbishing on any Mercurial areas of your life. Double check everything and don’t make assumptions. Don’t be caught off guard if things change or go in a different direction during this time. Adaptability is key.
MERCURY IN AQUARIUS
Although Mercury appreciates being in an air sign like Aquarius where it can question the status quo and be innovative, it struggles with the fixed nature of this sign. Mercury is a planet that rules two mutable signs, Gemini and Virgo, so it is ever-changing and flexible by nature. In a fixed sign, it struggles with sustained preservation and stability. During this retrograde period you might be waffling on whether you want to commit to making a permanent decision. You could be used to variability but are now being presented with a new opportunity that would require serious commitment to one thing. This decision may require maturity and could force you to consider if your current system will be good enough to support you in the future or if you need to upgrade.
IMPORTANT DATES
Starting January 14th, Mercury stations retrograde at 10º 18’ Aquarius and will backslide through the zodiac until February 3rd. January 23rd is the day Mercury retrograde conjoins the Sun. This Mercury cazimi could be a particularly important day where things move into a new phase.
Eleven days into this retrograde, Mercury re-enters Capricorn on January 25th. On February 3rd, Mercury stations direct at 24º 22’ Capricorn. Eleven days after stationing direct, Mercury re-enters Aquarius. The post-shadow period ends when Mercury finally moves past 10º 18’ Aquarius and out of this range of degrees on February 23rd.
From the beginning of this pre-shadow period to the end of this post-shadow period, Mercury is going through a nine week recalibration. This retrograde will be particularly significant if Mercury is your chart ruler or timelord or if you have any natal placements in this range of the zodiac. Review your life in this nine week period and evaluate what was impacted by this Mercury retrograde.
Mercury Retrograde Dates:
Dec 29- Pre-shadow begins
Jan 2- Mercury enters Aquarius
Jan 14- Mercury retrogrades at 10º 18' Aquarius
Jan 23- Mercury Rx cazimi
Jan 25- Mercury Rx re-enters Capricorn
Feb 3- Mercury direct at 24º 22’ Capricorn
Feb 14- Mercury re-enters Aquarius
Feb 23- Post-shadow period ends
