Mercury Retrograde in Taurus 4.28-5.22.16

The second Mercury Retrograde of 2016 activates this week, officially on April 28 in the sign of Taurus.  In fact, the pre-shadow phase began over a week ago and many of you have likely already been feeling its effects.   In addition, there are 4 other major planets (Saturn, Jupiter, Mars & Pluto) in a retrograde phase which makes for a very unique energetic experience in the cosmos.  This temporary time to look within, which is a signature trait of all retrogrades, bodes well with the deep....

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​shifting and growth occurring now at a rapid pace and at levels never before experienced.

2016 Mercury Retrogrades: a quick recap on Rx’s!
This year we have 4 Mercury Retrogrades lined up in the cosmos.  The universe decided to give us one extra dose of retrograde magic.  This means we have an additional opportunity to personally revisit specific areas of our life, plunge deeper, refine and then create from a place of deeper connection which is closer to our authentic self.  This is good news I promise!  Remember, with energy so much of it is where you choose to put your focus as energy follows energy, so awareness here is key.

Many people have misconceptions about Mercury Retrograde and believe that what occurs during these phases is simply a series of miscommunications, technology malfunctions and overall chaos.  While often times these themes do play out, there are usually many factors contributing to these types of energetic expressions, which may have little to nothing to do with the retrograde itself.

I’d like to focus on the healthier and more beneficial aspects of our Mercury Retrogrades so you can truly take advantage of these unique energies orchestrated by our lovely cosmos.  During these pockets of time Mercury revisits the degrees of the particular sign it’s in to provide an opportunity for you to learn more on a deeper level.  It’s a wonderful opportunity not only for a redo, but a way to enhance and deepen your learning in particular areas. 

Mercury is the planet associated with all things involved in communication, your mind, ability to learn, perceptions and how we filter these into our understanding.  It’s a fast moving planet, highly flexible and one of four mutual signs in astrology.   When Mercury makes itself present in the cosmos, you are provided with a unique opportunity to revisit your perceptions about the world and create personal enhancements in order to create a better world for yourself.  Communication of all kind is up for review, including how you communicate with yourself such as your self-talk, how you communicate with others, how you perceive information, situations, circumstances, and so on.

Also important to know is where Mercury is during a retrograde.  As they say, it’s all about location, location, location!  In this case we’re talking about planets, their respective signs and what that energetically means.  Each year Mercury picks planetary locations to experience its retrograde, and in 2016 it’s all about the Earth signs!  This includes those with Earth signs in their Sun, Ascending/Rising, and Moon signs as well as Earth representation in other significant areas of your personal Natal Birth chart.  Of course everyone is impacted but for fellow Earth peeps, think of this as a project where if you’re willing to dig deeper and revisit stuff you have the opportunity to score extra points for going above and beyond!  

Mercury Rx dates & how to use these energies  
Let’s get into the specifics now of our second retrograde, which begins on April 28 and ends on May 22.  Mercury turns retrograde in Taurus (23o 36") on April 28 at 5:20pm Universal Time/1:20pm Eastern Daylight Time.  Mercury turns direct in Taurus (14o 20 minutes of arc) on May 22 at 1:20pm Universal Time/9:20am Eastern Daylight Time.

Now that you have some specifics let’s take a closer look at the focus and themes and how you can take advantage of this time and make it work for you.  Taurus is ruled by Venus the Goddess of Love and she loves beauty, comfort, indulging all the senses, relationships and love.  Taurus focuses on your financial situation and resources, your environment, and enjoying physical pleasures and material goods.  Think of indulging in fine cuisine, collecting beautiful art work, and creating a stylish home with only the best modern luxuries.  

During this time take a closer look at your financial matters and resources and what it takes to bring in more abundance.   Dig deeper to understand what your available resources are, how you feel about yourself, and how you create life from an earth based way.  With Venus as its ruler, an important aspect for this sign is its environment and maintaining one that offers security, comfort and is aesthetically pleasing to you.  Take a look at your personal environments and see if they offer comfort, safety, and beauty that appeals to you.  Are you enjoying the kind of luxuries in life that help bring that beauty into your environment?  Dig in to determine where there may be opportunities to enrich your environment and make it more luxurious to your personal tastes and needs.

Earth signs are deeply connected to the earth and the physical world and during this time issues with your overall health are illuminated.  It’s important to review your physical body and health and ensure your health is in a good state.  Many of you will focus on your body, diet, and other health-related areas to identify areas for improvement.  Take this time to explore these areas and determine where you need to make changes and bring better balance to yourself.  Any changes you make during the retrograde phase can be incorporated into your lifestyle once the retrograde period ends.  This time presents an opportunity for you to feel physically stronger with a new sense of vitality and to shift your flow of abundance in positive ways to allow enhancements in the areas that personally matter to you.  
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Hang on, it’s sure to be a life changing, thrilling and unpredictable ride!