By: Janette Dalgliesh – Confluence Daily is your daily news source for women in the know.
The most potent moments of a retrograde are at the beginning and the end, when the planet appears to change direction.
It’s a perspective shift which can be unsettling at best, and if we don’t know it’s happening (or we’re anticipating it being difficult) that adds to the alarming sense that reality is slippery underfoot.
This upcoming Mercury Retrograde starts 27 September with a lovely supportive trine to Jupiter, and an awakening square to Pluto.
Think expansion, arrived at courtesy of some deep transformation.
It’s likely you’ve already been doing the transformation work – which is rarely comfy like sitting on the couch eating bonbons – and if that’s the case, this Jupiter / Pluto dynamic is going to feel fantastic, like a culmination and a reward for your efforts.
And the past two weeks has been that strange pre-retrograde hum of something-coming, so you may have found yourself cramming a big transformative shift into a few intense days.
But if you’ve been hanging back and resisting the change to which you were invited, it may feel a little rocky as Mercury shifts perspective and says COME ON!
Nothing is wrong here – AND it’s a good opportunity to get strategic and if necessary, get some help.
Thanks to the way this one is lighting up not one or two, but SIX planets in my own chart, I can attest that while the gifts for me have been ah-mazing … the journey so far has included both blissful elation and epiphany AND time spent sobbing at my coach when my brain got overwhelmed with it all.
It’s by no means over, and I’m definitely still finding my feet with it all. And I’m 100% okay with the fact that I may not feel like this round is done, until well after Mercury turns direct again on 19 October (just in time for my birthday!).
The retrograde ends in a brilliant dance with audacity-oriented Chiron, and a trine to Saturn.
Chiron encourages us to do our own healing by embracing audacity and courage, while Saturn is the curator of our life mission, cheering us on to do whatever big work we came to planet earth to do.
So as you’re walking your own self through this Mercury Rx, you can set an intention that although you may not yet see how, your goal is to embrace audacity in order to break free and bring your purpose to the world in even more potent ways.
And that doesn’t have to mean this is the month you get booked to give a TED talk.
This might be a purely internal shift which helps you FEEL more potently grounded in your own unique purpose.
It’s Mercury Rx in Venus-ruled LIBRA, so you can expect a few key areas for review, rethinking and reassessment.
You may want to review the ‘terms and conditions’ of any one-to-one significant relationships in your world – your sweetie, your client, your business partner, even your podcast guest.
You may gain extra insights into any boundaries that need redefining, replacing, creating or reinforcing.
Of course, that also means those with whom you’re in relationship may also have an urge to do the same thing.
And while I’m sure you, dear reader, are very skilled at knowing how to open those potentially awkward conversations, your favourite humans may not be – so if you find yourself on the receiving end of what are laughingly called ‘home truths’ it might not be comfortable.
Your work may be to take a breath, soothe yourself, and be willing to open a dialogue.
Or it may be to set a clear boundary and walk away.
Mercury Rx in Libra isn’t conducive to letting a dysfunctional relationship keep meandering along without addressing what’s not working.
You may not love the short-term experience of having those difficult conversations, but no doubt the long-term benefit of having things resolved is immense.
And brilliantly, this is Mercury in the home of Venus – the mistress of unapologetic desire.
If you’ve been in the habit of holding back from expressing your deepest desires to your own self, this is a perfect time to get totally honest.
Set aside for now the need to fulfil your desires.
That’s nothing to do with Venus.
Her role is to help us know exactly who we are and what we want – even the things we can’t have (for example, I want a hug from my Dad but that can’t happen in this lifetime).
Just sit your butt down and write up all the things you want, regardless of whether you think you can have them or not.
The joy is in the act of being unashamedly greedy!
Strategies for thriving this Mercury Rx:
- amp up the beauty in your world – fresh flowers, one tiny space made tidy and clean, adorn yourself as an act of celebrating the goddess, wear your sparkliest sparkles, read beautiful poetry, listen to beautiful music
- ask ‘what am I being invited to learn, understand, accept or stand up for?’
- and then ask ‘how is it true, that this invitation is a gift for me?’
Mercury Rx is ALWAYS a gift, even when the perspective shift makes us stumble or feel seasick (or, like me, meltdown with our coach!)
This one, with the gracious presence of Venus, the magic of Jupiter, the transformative powers of Pluto, the audacious belief Chiron has in us, and the ‘make shit real’ vibe from Saturn – has multiple gifts woven into it.
If you’d like to go deeper with this, I have several options you can access, ranging from free on upwards. You’ll find them all in one handy place at mercurymojo.com – including a VERY special offering devoted to the Venus vibe of Unapologetic Desire!
And a special PS for any life coaches – Mercury Retrograde is ESPECIALLY potent for our clients and our potential clients. They, too, are experiencing the Merc Rx weather and if they’re not sure what’s at play, it can be deeply unsettling. If you’d like to get Mercury in your corner, this is a fantastic time to do it.
Exact times (US Eastern Timezone)
- 27 Sep 2021, 1:10 am – Mercury turns Retrograde at 25º Libra
- 18 Sep 2021, 11:17 am – Mercury turns Direct at 10º Libra
Janette Dalgliesh is a coach and astrologer, who helps people from all walks of life to experience the deep joy of living their soul’s true purpose in the world. You can find her at www.janettedalgliesh.com
