When: August 4 – 28, 2024
What: Mercury retrograde in Virgo and Leo
Takeaway: Whenever Mercury appears to change its course in the sky, technical problems and miscommunication abound. This particular backtrack starts with the meticulous Virgo and then rewinds to the showboat Leo. This transit reminds us that when we refine the ways we share our creative gifts with the world, we attract our ideal audiences.
Review and review the details as Mercury stations retrograde
Mercury is retrograde in practical Virgo August 4. When the messenger planet appears to be flying backwards in the sky, it usually corresponds to mixed messages, forgotten appointments, and broken hard drives here on Earth. But as far as retrogrades go, this one starts off smoother than most, as Virgo is a worthy placement for Mercury. In this mutable Earth sign, the planet of ideas and communication has robust access to its analytical powers. While minor scheduling chaos and misinterpreted text messages can never be ruled out during a retrograde, there is generally less friction (and fewer dropped calls) when Mercury is supported in its essential nature.
Still, Virgo’s keen eye for mistakes can make small flaws seem bigger during this time. But that zoomed lens can be a gift if you treat it that way. When imperfections seem more noticeable than usual, they motivate us to spend extra time fixing potential problems, working with a fine-tooth comb and/or polishing our ideas until they shine. However, these same details can trip us up if we neglect them. So use this time to dig deeper into the footnotes and fine print of all your efforts, and be as precise as you can in your conversations with others.
Double checking information during a Mercury retrograde is never a bad idea. Confirming that your punctuation is in the right places can mean the difference between your email making positive waves or getting lost in translation.
Recover lost inspirations from your inner child
Mercury trades his reading glasses and bulleted lists for flashy costumes and not-so-humble braggadocio when he returns to Leo on August 14. Take this journey as an opportunity to return to the vision board and rethink the ways you share your creative gifts with the world. This is an ideal time to clean out your paint sets, workshop potential artist names, or reclaim a hidden talent or forgotten childhood hobby. No matter what you are doing, pay special attention to the ways in which you focus or not focus in your conversations with others. Whether you’re hogging the mic or downplaying your gifts, adjust the metaphorical stage lighting accordingly.
The cazimi: light, camera, revelation
You have the opportunity to reframe any naysaying beliefs you may have about the value of your artistic gifts August 18. On this date, Mercury and the Sun come together in an event called cazimi. During a cazimi, the rays of Sol cleanse the Mercurial themes in our lives, burning through confusion and illuminating clarity. Because this heavenly cleansing takes place in the sign of the artist, you must be alert to revelations about your relationship to your self-expression—and anything that blocks its most glorious version.
An important lesson to learn during this transit, which is emphasized during Mercury’s cazimi: your creative worth is not determined by the accolades you do or don’t receive. Your creations don’t all have to go viral or win awards to matter. When you give yourself permission to courageously pursue your inspiration, you regain your organic vitality, radiance, and sense of playfulness. That is its own reward. (If you don’t know where to start, we recommend sticking encouraging affirmations on your mirror, lighting a light candle for Mercuryor perform a shower karaoke to loud imaginary applause?)
Your Mercury retrograde survival guide
While offering your gifts to a receptive audience opens the door to satisfaction, it’s more than okay to stay in rehearsal mode during this retrograde period. You know when you’re ready for the stage. In the meantime, here are some tips to get through this period as smoothly as possible:
Doing…
- To expect delays. Schedule buffer time for everything. If everything goes smoothly, you have room to relax. And if not, you’ll be grateful you have plans B and C.
- Make a backup your files. Emails, photos: everything. Stay one step ahead of potential technology issues. (Your future self will thank you.)
- Reflectediting, organizing, reviewing and take note of everything you think about repeatedly during this period. There is meaning in it that you keep circling back to.
- Yield to abandoned creative projects, hobbies and/or games you loved as a child. Even if your efforts seem slow or imperfect, honoring your inspirations in any way, shape, or form calms your inner critic.
- To confirm the value of your artistic gifts and talents. Imposter syndrome and self-doubt are only as strong as you allow them to be.
- Laugh to yourself when you make obvious mistakes. The purpose of this transit is to keep you humble and open to learning.
- Laugh to yourself when you make obvious mistakes. The purpose of this transit is to keep you humble and open to learning.
- Listen to the Astrology of the Week Ahead podcast And Your reading in the ‘This Week’ section of the CHANI app. There you will also find journal prompts and other resources to help you work with Mercury’s lessons this retrograde season.
- Bill the Transits tab in the CHANI app to discover if and how Mercury’s movements affect your natal placement. You can also read for free Current celestial horoscope for Mercury in Virgo to learn how your rising sign will be affected during this period.
Do not…
- Fear Mercury retrograde. It can be annoying, but remember that worrying is just focusing on what you don’t want. Instead, view this period as an opportunity to reassess your strategies.
- To leave the uncertainty of this period dampens your enthusiasm or curtails your courage. You can still take bold steps behind the scenes. Allow the knowledge of what is not working to encourage your pivots, course corrections, and system upgrades.
- To buy buy tickets, sign contracts, or plan events during this time, if you can avoid it. If you can’t, stay flexible. Expect adjustments to be made after the retrograde cycle is over – and perhaps even during it.
- Plan for important launches or make major changes to the way you do things during this period if you can help it – unless you give them time for the Mercury cazimi on August 18. (That said, you may still want to work with an astrologer to determine your most fertile time.)
- Put down your life on hold. There are some things you should put off if possible, but otherwise just make room for the hiccups. Again, you should not fear this moment; just be sensible about it.
Looking for more information? Read your daily horoscope:
Ram | Taurus | Twin | Cancer | Lion | Virgin | Scale
Scorpion | Archer | Ibex | Aquarius | Fishing
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