What To Expect During the Mercury Retrograde 2021
Yes, it is that time again, the infamous Mercury retrograde. Yet, the unusual paths we take and the unexpected twists in life are important to pay attention to, since they give awareness to necessary karmic lessons. It is important to understand that we need these periods in order to maintain balance in our lives. The Mercury retrogrades are known for bringing experiences of leaving one state to enter a new one, and in 2021, this retrograde will be bringing us great change. This retrograde will help us adjust to the great change and volatility in the societal system that will come from Saturn and Jupiter beginning a new cycle together, while Saturn additionally forms three square aspects with Uranus.
Although Mercury retrograde has been demonized by many, it is in fact a natural phase of dissolution, purification, and regeneration that is essential to the function of Mercury.
Part of Mercury’s role is to destabilize dynamics in order to loosen control and bring about a turning point in narrative and meaning. While in retrograde, Mercury transitions from being visible into an invisible phase during which it comes closest to earth in orbit, intensifying its impact on our lives. The backward motion of Mercury calls upon us to reflect upon ourselves as human beings. This the time to shed what is no longer needed, be that people, an unhealthy lifestyle, a job or house change, etc.
Think of the Death Major Arcana tarot card. It isn’t about physical death, but metaphorical death and change. The phrase “no mud, no louts” comes into play when Mercury is in retrograde, meaning that without the hard times and endings, there can be no birth and opportunity.
This hope and positivity will be needed during the fundamental restructuring of societal systems that will take place in 2021. Mercury usually goes through three retrograde phases each year in the same element, and during 2021, Mercury will be retrograde in the air signs of Aquarius, Gemini, and Libra.
So, how is Mercury affected by air signs? Mercury has an affinity with the element of air, as it shares qualities with this element such as mobility, flexibility, and versatility. This means, changing our use of technology and reformulating the way we gather ideas and communicate information so that we stay current with the major changes across global society. Censoring and shadowbanning will be an issue, but without this retrograde, we wouldn’t see the problem, thus we will let it go unnoticed. No mud, no lotus.
Since the air element accelerates movement, there will be rapidly developing trends and collective movements we will need to adjust to and understand. We will also need to become more effective in applying critical thinking skills toward the information we receive from external sources, and so we can utilize the periods of Mercury retrograde for realizing what needs to change in our thinking and problem solving. You need to understand who funds the information sources you are looking at, and you need to do your own research and critical thinking on every single aspect of information, or you may be following something blindly based on emotion, especially during the Mercury retrograde.
Mercury being retrograde in each of the air signs is especially significant due to 2021 being the beginning of a new era of Jupiter and Saturn uniting in only air signs that will last until 2159. Wow, that’s a long time. Well, sometimes great change in human evolution and understanding needs time… As part of the transition, we will experience three exact square aspects between Saturn in Aquarius with Uranus in Taurus that will correspond with upheaval in societal structures as we adapt to an old era passing away. Things will not be returning to the way they were before 2020, and so we will need to develop stabilizing forms while the world around us goes through radical change. We may think things will “go back to normal” but astrology and current world events tell us that we will not have anything close to “normal”.
The first two exact square aspects between Saturn and Uranus on February 17 and June 14 will occur while Mercury is retrograde in Aquarius and Gemini, and so our experience of Mercury retrograde in 2021 will be pivotal in how we reorient our perception and mindset to align with the fundamental reshaping of global systems that will be taking place in correspondence. Globally, things are going to get… interesting to say the least. With numerous wars being started as we speak, and the United States being flooded with military, we are going to be in for a bumpy ride as WW3 starts looking more and more possible. You can tell something is going on if you look up, there are a lot of UFOS flying around. Check out MUFON for UFO picture submissions. I am putting this gently, but I need to tell you the truth of what is happening, or I feel like a bad sugar coating astrologer. Scared? Don’t be. This needs to happen if we want to evolve into a higher and more open minded dimension. Accept what is happening, work with it, and make it so that you will prosper and tell your children, and your children’s children what you have gone through to make their world a better place.
So, how are the signs affected?
🌎Earth Signs: ♉️ ♍️ ♑️
Sorry, earth signs, things are going to be rocky for you. There is a lack of common ground between air and earth signs. Earth signs are prone to routines that bring stability and grounding, while air signs are much more about movement and changing perspectives. The three Mercury retrograde periods will bring critical information regarding major changes you need to make with your work, schedules, and finances that will require openness to being more flexible and versatile. You won’t be able to stay in your comfort zone of the way things have been in the past.
🔥Fire Signs: ♌️ ♈️ ♐️
Fire signs share an active quality with the element of air that is comfortable with an acceleration of events, which will be helpful in moving with the sweeping changes across society. You will need to be open to changing your mind and listening to new perspectives with Mercury retrograde in air signs. It will be important to seek out different information sources and people who think differently from you so you can gather a wider perspective on events in your decision making. Don’t rely on one person or one source or one social media platform. Look at ALL sources and make up YOUR mind instead of someone making up your mind for you. Being open to new viewpoints will also lead to important developments in your relationships and expanding your community.
🌊Water Signs: ♋️ ♏️ ♓️
While water and air signs are similar in being open to new ideas and influences, the tendency of water signs for being receptive and slowing things down will need to be adapted to the more active and accelerated quality of the air element. You will need to find outlets for processing your feelings and making space to explore how your inner world is being impacted by the great changes happening in external events. Yet you will also need to take a more active role in decision making so that you are not being too passive amidst the larger shifts in society taking place.
🌬Air Signs: ♊️ ♎️ ♒️
These changes are not going to be as hard for you to handle than the other signs, since you can go wherever the wind takes you.
🗓 Dates for Mercury Retrograde 2021:
January 15: Mercury enters retrograde shadow zone (11°01’ – 26°29’ Aquarius)
January 23: Mercury at maximum elongation (begins to slow down)
January 30: Mercury stations retrograde at 26°29’ Aquarius
February 8: Mercury conjunct the sun at 20°01’ Aquarius (closest to Earth)
February 20: Mercury stations direct at 11°01’ Aquarius
March 6: Mercury at maximum elongation (begins to speed up)
March 12: Mercury leaves retrograde shadow zone
May 14: Mercury enters retrograde shadow zone (16°07’ – 24°43’ Gemini)
May 17: Mercury at maximum elongation (begins to slow down)
May 29: Mercury stations retrograde at 24°43’ Gemini
June 10: Mercury conjunct the sun at 20°21’ Gemini (closest to Earth)
June 22: Mercury stations direct at 16°07’ Gemini
July 5: Mercury at maximum elongation (begins to speed up)
July 7: Mercury leaves retrograde shadow zone
September 6: Mercury enters retrograde shadow zone (10°07’ – 25°28’ Libra)
September 13: Mercury at maximum elongation (begins to slow down)
September 26: Mercury stations retrograde at 25°28’ Libra
October 9: Mercury conjunct the sun at 16º35′ Libra (closest to Earth)
October 18: Mercury stations direct at 10°07’ Libra
October 25: Mercury at maximum elongation (begins to speed up)
November 2: Mercury leaves retrograde shadow zone
