If you have ever bowled, you may have noticed that after releasing the bowling ball, sometimes the ball spins backwards as it is moving forward! There comes a point where the backspin stops and the ball resumes its forward spinning motion. This is the image I relate to the experience of Mercury retrograde, having moved direct, coming out of its post-shadow phase. When Mercury is in its post-shadow cycle it’s as if the bowling ball is moving forward with a backspin. Even though Mercury has moved direct, there is still some residual backspin occurring. You may notice that you are still formulating ideas related to issues that arose during the Mercury retrograde period.
Mercury retrograde’s pre-shadow period begins when Mercury moves through the degree to which it will eventually retrograde back and then turn direct. In the current Mercury retrograde cycle, Mercury entered its pre-shadow phase on March 8th, 2018, turned retrograde on March 22nd, 2018 and then moved direct on April 15th, 2018. 
At this time, Mercury was considered to be in its post-shadow period until it moved past the degree that it turned retrograde. Finally, Mercury is in full forward motion today, May 3rd, 2018! Now that Mercury that has cleared its ‘backspin’ period it’s time to integrate those lessons learned moving forward.
Typically when Mercury, the planet of communication, retrogrades (3 times in 2018 for roughly 3 weeks) it often brings a sense of difficulty into our lives through the form of communication breakdown, scheduling difficulties, travel delays, failed technology and excessive need to revisit and correct communication related details. But, the Universe isn’t conspiring to drive us crazy! Mercury retrograde times invite us to slow down, reflect and learn more about the Mercurial energy as it is expressed through a particular sign in an area of our lives (the house in our chart through which Mercury is traveling).
The latest Mercury retrograde occurred in the sign of Aries. The positive qualities of Mars ruled Aries include having strength, courage, acting on inspiration, honesty and self confidence. The more challenging expressions, which can bring conflict into our lives, include impatience, impulsiveness, needless confrontation and self-centeredness. When you combine Mercury with Aries you get all sorts of combinations of communicative expression with an overall theme of speaking with strength but also recognizing when we are expressing the more challenging aspects of Aries through our communication and adjusting accordingly.
Mercury will complete its travel through Aries on May 14, 2018. So, now that we are through the ‘backspin’ we can apply what we have learned from our Mercury retrograde in Aries experience moving forward. Can we express ourselves confidently without getting frustrated? Can we speak up for ourselves without stepping on others toes? How can we continue to embrace Mercury in Aries in our lives in its most positive expression? Full steam ahead!
My name is Lindsay Conover and I am an Astrological Counselor. Having grown up in a family ‘steeped’ in Astrology, I have studied Astrology for many years with various teachers. I have an AS in Hospice and Grief Counseling and a BA in Psychology. Why the name ‘High Altitude Astrology’? I live in Santa Fe, NM; the highest Capital city in the United States. At 7000 feet, Santa Fe provides a ‘high altitude’ view of the planets; just as Astrology offers a ‘high altitude’ view of you, your potential and the timing of your life unfoldment! Contact me at highaltitudeastrology.com or info@highaltitudeastrology.com.
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