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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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 does Mercury Retrograde’s Post-Shadow Phase entail?
The shadow periods, which occur roughly two weeks before and after Mercury retrograde, are a particularly perplexing time marked by some of the same hiccups and failures you’d anticipate from Mercury’s periodic rewind. Ash explains that as Mercury slows down, miscommunication and technological issues are more likely to occur. Therefore, expect technological issues, slowdowns, and misunderstandings amongst friends during the pre- and postshadow period of Mercury retrograde.
According to Ash, the difficulties you encounter in the run-up to Mercury retrograde may be a sign of what to expect once it actually begins. For instance, if you’re experiencing conflict in your relationship at this time, you’ll probably notice this pattern as Mercury slows down and appears to move backward. Finding closure for the tensions that arose during retrograde is the goal of the post-shadow phase.
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!
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.
How long will Mercury be in retrograde in 2022?
How long is the 2022 shadow phase of Mercury Retrograde? The shadow phase is regarded as the two weeks immediately preceding and following the retrograde. Stephanie cautions that, depending on how quickly the retrograde moves, it might potentially extend for three weeks.
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.”
Pre-retrograde shadow: what is it?
This time span allows three chances to ensure that our efforts and decisions are correct and is the planetary embodiment of the adage “measure twice, cut once.” The first happens when Mercury first crosses a celestial degree during the pre-retrograde shadow phase. Mistakes may be evaluated and repaired during the second, which occurs when Mercury is retrograde and reverses back over this degree. When Mercury completes its final transit over the degree, during what is referred to as a post-retrograde shadow, we have one last opportunity to make progress. In general, Mercury retrograde has effects that begin to manifest approximately two weeks before the planet starts to appear to travel backward from the earth and last for up to two weeks after it stops.
What zodiac signs will be impacted by the 2022 Mercury retrograde?
When you believe you have everything under control and your troubles solved, Mercury retrograde seems to mix things up. There’s always a problem lurking around the corner when it comes to astrology, and nothing illustrates this more than when Mercury, the planet of thought and communication, starts to move backward through the zodiac rather than ahead. Taurus, Gemini, Scorpio, and Sagittarius are the zodiac signs that will be most impacted by Mercury retrograde in spring 2022, so you *might* want to get ready for some technical issues soon.
Mercury usually stirs up temporary turbulence and commotion when it stations retrograde. This retrograde, which occurs three to four times a year, is nothing new to you because you’ve already encountered it numerous times. In other words, there is no need to be concerned; the world will not end, and you will survive it unharmed. Although miscommunications and misunderstandings frequently occur when Mercury is retrograde, it is also a lovely time to reflect on your life, look back on previous endeavors, and take care of any unfinished business.
Mercury retrograde this spring starts on May 10 at 4 degrees Gemini, going backwards. Mercury rules this mutable air sign, so this will be a typical retrograde experience marked by confusion and diversion. Think carefully before you speak, especially if you’re twisting the truth. On May 22, Mercury will reenter Taurus, slowing down the intensity of this retrograde and making it more frustrating for Mercury, who already finds it difficult to move through this rigid fixed earth sign. Fortunately, everything will finish on June 3 just as swiftly as it began.
What the astrological signs listed below should be aware of is:
What happens if you end a relationship while Mercury is retrograde?
Breaking up with someone is a significant transition, and it often takes a long time when Mercury is retrograde.
A couple may choose to end their relationship permanently or end it temporarily, depending on how strong their connection was before it broke down. Not just until the retrograde is overit can take years! Even worse, if retrograde has a stronger impact on their natal chart, they may believe that all is over.