Mercury Retrograde: August 2024

​The second Mercury retrograde of 2024 occurs from August 4 to August 28.  The frustrating part about a mercury retrograde often includes misunderstandings, delays, misinterpretations, travel snags, mechanical failures and general miscommunication via phone, text, emails and any of the myriad ways we have of communicating in the 21st century. 
 
The positive side of a retrograde helps us refine our communication skills by doing more research, analysis and editing.  Communication may fail us momentarily but eventually we are able to improve those skills through further learning and education.  Retrograde Mercury is a wonderful period for reflection and planning something through ironing out the details and snags so that after the retrograde you are in a better position to launch a project and move forward. 
 
This retrograde starts on Monday, August 5 in the sign of Virgo, enters Leo on Wednesday. August 14 turns direct on Wednesday, August 28 and re-enters Virgo on Monday, September 9.  The midpoint when Cazimi (conjunct the Sun) offers a brief period of intense clarity and insight on August 18. 
 
The signs are important.  While in dignity and exaltation in Virgo Mercury is not relying on another planet to help or get in the way.  She’s able to work from a more confident narrative for better or worse because there is more power to act without taking anything else into consideration.  It is also in its own bounds which further strengthens its confidence level.  While in Virgo and its own bounds Mercury has a green light and may be better for solving a problem quickly or getting one’s way – even if getting one’s way may not be the best thing – because you may not take anyone else’s opinion into consideration due to intense tunnel vision.  It depends on how well you apply commons sense.
 
A Virgo retrograde is a suitable time to revisit a health issue from the past that resurfaces.  An old injury may flair up on a retrograde and that would be a perfect time to re-address the problem.  A second surgery is fine if that part of the body has already been operated on.  Reconnecting with a doctor from your past is ideal especially if your health insurance has changed and they now accept the new one. 
 
Mercury in Virgo may be even more concerned with health, work, details, minutiae, and organizational skills.  It would be wise to back up all computer data and update home and office equipment.  Mercury will conjunct Venus in Virgo on August 7 and that would be a particularly good day to receive help and understanding from others. 
 
When entering Leo Mercury will be more dependent on the Sun therefore ego problems may get in the way of solving problems.  Your ego vs. those of others.  There may be more battles of the wills in this sign where the Sun reigns supreme.  Breakdowns and flareups may be more dramatic.  Leo is the sign of sports so keep an eye over what is happening at the Paris Olympics.  Other Leo topics are entertainment, romance, sex, children, people who act like kings and queens, and amusements so challenges in those areas of life may surface.  Mercury will be in the bounds of Mars from August 18 through August 22 and that adds to anger, bullying, aggression, competition, courage and more abrupt and nasty outbursts.  It will retrograde and turn direct through the bounds of Mercury from August 23 through September 4th where reason will gain the upper hand. 
 
The recent Mars/Uranus conjunction from July 15 will be triggered by Mercury on August 19 and September 6 so be aware of those dates as they relate to that very intense and dramatic week from mid-July.  That was the period of the attempted assassination on Donald Trump, followed by Joe Biden’s decision not to seek re-election.    
 
Mercury will square Uranus three times during its complete retrograde period.  That configuration adds chaos, reversals and changes in direction.  Those dates are July 21, (the day Biden made his announcement), August 18, and September 6. 
 
Another aspect to note during the retrograde period is when Mars conjuncts Jupiter in the sign of Gemini on 8/14.  What pops out at that time further elucidates, exacerbates or explains events from the recent past or antagonizes those past events especially from mid-July.  You will gain more understanding and meaning or see a stronger expression of opinion and double talk. 
 
Enjoy the roller-coaster ride and do not forget that after the Mercury retrograde period completes it ushers in a Lunar Eclipse on September 17 at 24° Pisces followed two weeks later by a Solar Eclipse on October 2 at 10° Libra.