The Pre Shadow Sets Mercury Retrograde Up
Common
ways that we may contribute to the Pre-Shadow is to ignore our inner voice, ignore our intuition and to ignore the hints
that the universe poses to us. Watch yourself during this period when you ignore things because you think they are not important,
because you make assumptions or follow the assumptions of others. Become aware of where your assumptions, judgments, dismissiveness
or even arrogance come from, because often if their source is from hurts, reactions or buttons being pushed, then they will
lead you astray, and set you up for later challenges the Pre-Shadow strengthens as Mercury slows down before it retrogrades.
It then becomes 'stationary' and is about to move backwards. Often, the time
when Mercury is stationary or slowed down coincides with a peaking in the Mercury retrogrades phenomena This is a good time
to have the attitude of checking and rechecking important matters or decisions and making sure others do the same. It is
not uncommon for people involved with communication to experience the first station as a short period of time when the work
load appears to be diminishing or quieting down, but the effect is much like the way the water recedes before a tsunami,
and may catch people off guard, as the wave of Mercury Retrograde Proper often comes in with more than the expected work
or challenges. .
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Mercury Retrograde: The Post Shadow begains on September 22, 2016 to October 6,,2016. This
is the period of time when Mercury begins to speed up and move forward, and in doing so it actually passes over the path
in the sky in which it earlier went backwards. During the Post-Shadow
period, errors can show up that were a result of poor decisions, assumptions or lack of attention during the Pre-Shadow or
Mercury Retrograde periods. The effect of the Post-Shadow is stronger for the first few days.
The effect of the Mercury Retrogrades Proper re-strengthens as Mercury slows down before it goes
direct again. It then becomes 'stationary' and is about to move forwards. Often, the time when Mercury is stationary or slowed
down coincides with a peaking in the Mercury retrogrades phenomena. This time is indicated in the calendar as a darker shade
of color at the end of the Mercury Retrogrades Proper and at the beginning of the Post-Shadow. If the first station was
like the quiet before the storm or the receding of the water before the tsunami, the second station can be like the moment
the debris field is about to be revealed. Errors made during the rush of Mercury Retrograde Proper may begin to come to
light.
Legend
Pre-Shadow phase
Pre-Shadow phase intensified
Mercury Retrograde Station
Mercury Retrograde Phase intensified
Mercury Retrograde Phase
Mercury Direct Station
Post-Shadow phase intensified
Post-Shadow phase
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Mercury Retrogrades - Shadow
When I refer in this article to the "retrograde
cycle," it means all three phases: the pre-retrograde Shadow, the retrograde period, and the post-retrograde Shadow.
The descriptions below apply to any planet, although the phases will be experienced a bit differently for each planet according
to the themes, patterns and areas of life ruled by that planet.
Pre-Retrograde Shadow: This is the planet's first pass
through the Shadow. In this phase, the planet is going in its usual "direct motion" (forward). This period typically
brings up the issues that are on the cosmic agenda in your life for the coming retrograde cycle.
Events and situations that take place during this time will often unfold throughout the rest
of the retrograde cycle. This might take the form of the same circumstances, or different ones which hinge on the same kind
of underlying dynamics and issues. This phase begins when the planet passes the point of the zodiac where it will later make
the direct station, and lasts until the retrograde station.
Retrograde Period: This is the second pass through the Shadow, when the planet appears to be
going backwards in the sky. During this phase you might find you are reconsidering some actions or decisions you made during
the first pass.
It is a time
when you may have to confront the situations in your life that are not working well (which often correspond to the themes
of that planet or the sign it's in). You might experience frustration, anger, fear, guilt or discouragement about having to
take a detour away from your original or preferred path—or you might welcome this as a way of exploring new ideas and
potentials.
Either way, the retrograde
period is usually best traveled with some care and flexibility, being alert to the unexpected loose rocks and sinkholes that
can cause you to trip and fall if you try to go over them too quickly. The retrograde period is typically a good time to pursue
learning, research, reflection and re-evaluation. This phase starts with the retrograde station and lasts until the direct
station.
Post-Retrograde Shadow: This is the third and final pass, when the planet is going forwards
again after the direct station. During this phase you apply what you've learned during the retrograde period. In your exploration
of new approaches to your issues and goals, it helps to reflect on what worked well and what didn't.
What do you know now that you didn't know before? How has this knowledge changed your perception
of how to proceed? How can you change your direction (or your attitude) to take this new information into account? Or do you
even need to change direction at all? Maybe you can resume the same course but with new knowledge and perceptions.
If you've been struggling with "inner demons" (uncomfortable feelings, impulses,
fears, etc.), this phase is a good time to try out new ways to deal with them and express them. You often have opportunities
to try out a new strategy to deal with the situations that trigger those feelings in you.
