Looking back on the days of family road trips, I remember sitting in the back seat as we rode past traffic, 18 wheelers in particular. If traffic was heavy enough, we would ride alongside one for a while. After a few minutes, I would be hypnotized by the wheel rotation. It appeared as though one of us was traveling backwards. This is Mercury retrograde from Earth’s perspective.
The first planet from the sun, Mercury is known as the “messenger”. He rules Gemini and Virgo on the zodiacal wheel, and rules communication in different forms to include writing, music, and artistic expression. He is the divine healer as well. Thoth (etymology of the word “thought”), son of Ra, invented writing and cultivated the arts. The ibis-head Neter is scribe, wise counsel, and architect, to name a few of his gifts. He is also Tehuti (Djehuty), Hermes Trismegistus (3x’s great), Merlin, Apollo, and of course Mercury.
Mercury has a higher octave outer planet, Uranus, currently with the Sun in Taurus.
Uranus is the planet that rules Aquarius, our intuition and higher consciousness. It also rules science, electronics, sudden and natural events, freedom, sudden breaks and breakthroughs. These two planets together rule social media and the internet. When Mercury goes retrograde, generally three times per year for an average of three weeks, we often experience miscommunication. This retrograde is special because of the full moon eclipse in Libra/Scorpio May 15-16th.
Not only does this Mercury retrograde and full moon eclipse asks us to reflect, review, and revisit recent thoughts, actions, and documents, people resurface in our lives.
This “blood moon” eclipse requires us to re-member who we are. This is not just a short-term memory exercise though. We are asked to reach into the deepest aspects of self to re-member parts of ourselves that may have been fragmented and broken along our path. For some, it may include past life regression. Scorpio goes deep into an investigative look at things. Emotions run deep for Scorpio natives. It is after all, a water sign ruled by Mars. Time for balance. Is your heart as light as the feather of Ma’at?
Experiences can be challenging for some who have Libra/Scorpio placements or even Capricorn placements where Pluto is currently retrograde. If Saturn, or Jupiter and Neptune in Pisces are aspected in your natal chart, this creates yet another layer. Twelfth house placements and aspects to the moon’s nodal axles, Rahu and Ketu, will definitely be impacting as well. To find out where your natal planets are, go to astro.com. You will need your birth name, place and time for accurate placements.
Astro Viktor and Maurice Hernandez posted an excellent YouTube video explaining the intensity of these transits. Molly McCord also offers a comprehensive explanation of the upcoming lunar eclipse and its significance to healing. These videos could be of interest to those who experience depression and other mental health conditions. The suggestion however, is not meant to replace the need for professional assistance. (links below)
Transformation is happening for a lot of people at this time. Anyone can re-invent themselves though through The Great Arcana; the metaphorical and metaphysical. We can transmute energies to work for our highest good with intention. What are your intentions?
7 Stages of Alchemy
- Calcination (Burn it down! EGO)
- Dissolution (Dissolve) (Meditate, Balance Chakras, Prayer, Connect with Nature)
- Separation (Head/thoughts & Heart/emotions)
- Conjunction (subconscious with conscious) (Union of the luna and Sol)
- Fermentation (Breakdown, Putrefaction) (Gut Health)
- Distillation (Purification)
- Coagulation (Authenticity!)
Toltec principals: The Four Agreements (Don Miguel Luis)
- Be impeccable with your word
- Don’t take anything personally (It’s not about you)
- Don’t make assumptions
- Always do your best
The Fifth Agreement
- 5. Discernment (Be skeptical, yet listen)
I am tickled to give this example of transmutation and transformation of energy. I wonder who re-calls Sway’s Universe interview with Birdman. For those who slept on it, and didn’t re-cognize, Birdman shape-shifted into “The Alchemist”. He didn’t re-act, nor hide when others re-acted. He coined a new synonym; then went on a media junket, stacked his chips and cashed ‘em in!
All the while, critics were wondering how he simply re-wrote the Queen’s English to suit himself without shame. As for the rest of us, we learned how to spell R.E.S.P.E.C.T from Aretha, and now we know how to pronounce it… Birdman’s way. What? Now that you’re transformed and brand new, with a re-birth of the cool in you, make people put some RESPECK on your name. Thanks Birdman! We got that Mercurial message brotha.
Sheila T. Zimmerman ’22
References
Anima & Animus: https//psychmajors.tumblr.com/post/41040080174
Astro Viktor & Maurice. 12 House and Its Mystery:
Molly McCord. Soul Growth Astrology:
Pintrest. pintrest.com
Rebirth Image: https://Lpinimg.com/originals/50/b3/3a/50b33a3961d71534940aoecbb61e9259.jpg
A Small Corner of the Universe 
