Mercury Retrograde: The 8-Fold Process

Last week, I described the first four stages of the 8-fold process that occurs every four months. To repeat, the actual period when Mercury is retrograde, which is usually about three weeks long, is only a part of a much fuller cycle. It’s just the one that gets all the attention, even from non-astrologers.

The Inferior Conjunction

I want to take a moment to review Stage 4 of the cycle, when the Sun and Mercury conjunct. This will take place on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 14° Sagittarius and is termed the “Inferior Conjunction.” Simply put, this refers to the moment when a new “seed idea” is planted in the psyche of each of us, carrying the potential to develop further in the coming months. I emphasize the word potential because it’s up to us to be sensitive to the signals we may be receiving and willing to act upon them. The information at this time may be subtle, so we must open ourselves to new ideas that might feel vague or unformed.

Mercury Stations Direct – Time to Act

Stage 5 begins when retrograde Mercury is stationary and turns direct. This will occur on December 15, 2024, at 6° Sagittarius, where Mercury was located when it entered the Shadow phase on November 7th. The experience of this period can be thought of as two-fold. On one hand, our thoughts may feel intensified, perhaps even obsessive. On the other hand, unlike stationary Mercury at the start of its retrograde phase, we can now focus on how to safely act upon the discoveries made over the past three weeks. It’s time to get to work!

Gaining Momentum and Building Confidence

Stage 6 is defined as the time when Mercury begins to increase its velocity as it moves back to the position where it went retrograde on November 25th. At this stage, our desire to implement the insights we’ve gained starts gaining traction. Relief often accompanies this phase, as confidence in our plans begins to grow. This momentum continues until January 2, 2025, when Mercury returns to 22° Sagittarius and resumes its normal velocity. By this point, it has been 55 days since Mercury entered the Shadow phase. The territory Mercury traversed between 6°–22° Sagittarius (only 16°) is now complete.

The Superior Conjunction – Clarity and Feedback

Stage 7 occurs on February 9, 2025, when the Sun and Mercury conjunct again—this time with Mercury direct. This phase, known as the “Superior Conjunction,” is comparable to the Full Moon phase in the lunar cycle. It brings clarity, allowing us to evaluate the outcomes of our efforts. This is also when we might receive valuable feedback from others, enabling us to refine our plans or adjust our thinking based on new information.

Completing the Cycle and Moving Forward

Stage 8 is the final stage of the Mercury cycle. Here, we work with new information in full clarity and begin to see the tangible results of our efforts. It’s a time to get into the flow as we prepare for the next Mercury retrograde cycle, which begins in about two months, on March 1, 2025, at 26° Pisces. This will mark the start of a new 4-month-long cycle.

Tracking the Mercury Retrograde Cycle in Your Own Life

For those of you interested in seeing this cycle in your own life, I urge you to take notes in a diary. This can help you in the short term see the shifts as they happen, but as time goes by you might be able to see the overall patterns in a way I cannot describe verbally. It’s like sensing the entire 8-fold cycle as one pattern in totality. It is a non-verbal experience that is what I treasure most in astrology.

Symbolism of the Signs: Aries through Pisces

by Kimberly Maxwell

The archetypal symbol and its corresponding glyph of the 12 zodiac signs reveal the sophistication of the original archetypal concepts and how they remain relevant today. The core themes attest to how each of these unique archetypal symbols represents a truly universal aspect of human nature. Viewed as parts of a greater whole, they also offer a guided path of individual development to manifest the highest potential and bring spiritual focus into everyday life.

Embedded in these archetypes are mythical and real creatures, objects, and beings that represent a base starting point for learning and, most importantly, the trajectory, or purpose line, that a journey can take to reach spiritual maturity.

Astrology is coded archetypal language inspired by contemplating the stars. In Transpersonal Astrology, it is considered cosmic code coming from the greater whole of divine consciousness itself.

Explore Self-Discovery with Astrology as a Spiritual Path

In case you haven’t yet purchased it, Astrology as a Spiritual Path invites readers to explore astrology as a profound journey of self-discovery and personal evolution, where the cosmos and the self intersect. This book reveals how astrology can serve as a powerful guide to uncovering unconscious patterns, illuminating it as a tool for expanding consciousness and connecting with your authentic self.

Whether you’re a seasoned astrologer or new to the practice, Astrology as a Spiritual Path offers valuable insights. Discover how it can enrich your journey toward self-understanding, purpose, and transformation.

See the book website: astrologyasaspiritualpath.com.

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