Think of Mercury retroshade as the prelude to the main act and the end credits. Two weeks before and two weeks after the actual retrograde, Mercury is in its shadow period. Now you know why you could feel a little weird before the planet truly begins to travel backwards!
The planet often moves more slowly before Mercury retrograde and more quickly after. All planets, not just Mercury, experience pre- and post-shadow phases, which each have their own astrological mysticism.
It’s not unusual to get a preview of the event before it happens, which can be a little intimidating. Mercury is reviewing the same zodiacal moves it made during the retrograde when it is, however, in its post-retrograde shadow. but this time, according to astrologer Nina Kahn, it’s progressing and gaining speed.
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What occurs during Mercury’s shadow retrograde period?
Before (and during) Mercury’s feared retrograde, there’s a cosmic reason you might feel a little foggy-headed or have disagreements with friends, family, or coworkers. As it turns out, the weeks before and following Mercury’s regularly scheduled backspinsknown in astrology as shadow periodscan be just as susceptible to the planet’s celestial antics. The planet of communication wreaks havoc for a few weeks at a time at various intervals during the year.
According to astrologer Lauren Ash, “Generally speaking, we sense things begin to slow down during the pre-Mercury retrograde shadow time.” However, the post-Mercury retrograde accelerates things once more. And when these changes take place, you can experience a brief period of melancholy. Here are some predictions for the Mercury retrograde shadow periods as well as some tips for navigating their turbulent energy.
Does Mercury have a shadow time when it is retrograde?
We’re still not out of the woods, but the most recent Mercury retrograde period is finally finished as of Friday, June 3 (phew!). It’s in your best interest to stay on your toes in the upcoming weeks because every Mercury retrograde has a “shadow” period that lasts for two weeks before and after the planet backspins.
Here are some suggestions for handling your relationshipsromantic and otherwiseuntil Mercury retrograde is truly ended, as it is known for impairing communication:
How long does Mercury’s post-shadow retrograde last?
The hardest part of the planetary moonwalk isn’t even the actual retrograde, which lasts for around three weeks. Due to the uncertainty and lack of a commitment or clear plan, the two weeks before and after the Mercury retroshade can be just as difficult, if not more so. Do you recall the 2020 election’s delays? That incident took place during a Mercury retroshade.
What activities should you avoid when Mercury is retrograde?
Ellen Bowles, an astrologer and co-author of Astrology SOS, claims that “we can have technical or mechanical troubles, and our wires can seem crossed in all our channels of communication.” “Planetary retrogrades are occasions for everyone to stop and think. We are being advised to slow down and double-check the details when Mercury is retrograde.” The urge to meticulously examine every last aspect extends beyond the three to four weeks of the retrograde period itself. The same guidelines for what not to do during Mercury retrograde also apply during this time, which lasts for a week or two before and after the actual retrograde. This period is known as Mercury’s shadow phase or “retroshade.”
How does Mercury going backwards impact us?
According to Daisy, Mercury’s retrograde phase could lead to serious marital problems like infidelity, betrayal, or loss of closeness. It may seem like everything is going wrong in your love life when you bring up old concerns and disagreements, the astrologer warns, as this planet looks to be moving inside.
Communication is essential, but it’s especially important right now because Mercury, the planet of communication, seems to be going backwards. By communicating and being open-hearted and honest, put your attention on strengthening your relationship.
What is the shadow period of Mercury retrograde in 2022?
The retrograde will be in Gemini from May 10 to May 22; from May 22 to June 3 it will move into Taurus. Beginning on April 25, the pre-retrograde shadow will last until June 18, and the post-retrograde shadow will follow. October 2 through September 9.
When did Mercury’s shadow begin to move retrograde?
About two weeks before and two weeks following the planet’s backspin, Mercury goes retrograde. A planet passes through a time known as “stationing,” where it is adjusting to the U-turn, before and after it is in retrograde. Our perception of its effects may change over time, like the lingering emissions from a car with a damaged exhaust system.
Step 1: Find Where Mercury Retrograde Begins and Ends
The Mercury symbol and the retrograde dates are highlighted in yellow in the example below, which uses the Mercury retrograde of October 426, 2014. If you squint, you can see a little R symbol for a planet turning retrograde and a D symbol for a planet turning direct.
yet another sign of a retrograde? The column’s numbers are reversed. These figures represent the angles at which Mercury transits a given sign. In the given instance, the retrograde began on October 4 at 2o Scorpio and finished on October 25 at 16o Libra. Math time! The 30o space on the spherical zodiac wheel is occupied by one of the 12 zodiac signs. Understand that 12 x 30 equals 360 degrees of the circle? Yes, astrology is unquestionably a sort of geek art.
We can determine where the shadow started and finished for this Mercury retrograde from the ephemeris because it started at 2o Scorpio and moved back to 16o Libra.
Step 2: Find The Shadow’s Beginning
Mercury retrograde is like going backwards when driving, so to determine the start of the Mercury retrograde shadow period, we look at the end date of the retrograde. We turned back in our ephemeris to find when Mercury was last at 16o Libra after it finished its retrograde on October 26 at 16o Libra. Aha! It was on September 14, 2014!
Then, it’s possible that we’ll start to see indications of the approaching Mercury retrograde: fuzzy thinking, jumbled communications, and former lovers and close pals emerging from hiding. This is the perfect moment to prepare for Mercury crazy as well: back up digital data, talk to loved ones about anything that’s bothering you, and make sure all of your key papers and codes are locked up and password-protected.
Step 3: Find the Shadow’s End
Again, since Mercury is in retrograde, which means it is moving backwards, we must look at the START date of Mercury in retrograde to determine when the shadow of Mercury in retrograde ends. We look ahead in our ephemeris to see when Mercury returns to 2o Scorpio after it entered retrograde on October 4 at 2o Scorpio. In this instance, we can observe that on November 11, 2014, it successfully crosses the 200 Scorpio point.
Processing and integration are the main themes of the second Mercury retrograde shadow. Sure, Mercury retrograde might completely upend our life, but what are the priceless lessons to be learned? What necessary gains and modifications did Mercury’s retrograde bring about? Make significant, audacious changes during the period when Mercury turns direct to the end of its shadow. For instance, you might come to see that your abusive lover was merely reacting to YOU when YOU quietly criticized his every move. Eek! You may test out a new, more assertive style of communicating with him and resolving disputes during the second half of the shadow. This might be the solution you need to save your relationship.
Shadows of Other Planetary Retrogrades
You should be aware that EVERY planet experiences retrograde motion. Retrograde has taken on a sinister connotation. These are also crucial periods to fully evaluate, improve, and restructure, despite being rather irksome. These spells are necessary for us to avoid throwing the baby out with the bathwater. While Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto all reverse annually for a significant portion of the year, Mars and Venus only do so every other year. The same method can be used to determine their shadow phases as in the case above. Seize your ephemeris, and get to work!
How long is the shadow of Mercury Post?
It slows down for two weeks before a Mercury retrograde officially starts, and it needs to speed back up for two weeks after a Mercury direct. Retroshade, also known as the pre- and post-shadow periods, is the term used to describe these times. Mercury will pass directly through a specific area of the sky known as degrees during the pre-shadow (e.g. it could be something like 2o Scorpio). As the retrograde progresses, it will go back through those angles and, you guessed it, through that location once it is on the way to full speed recovery.