What to Expect for the First Mercury Retrograde of 2022

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2022 is coming in hot with its first Mercury retrograde of the year! On January 14, at around 6:41 am EST, Mercury, the busybody planet of thought, communication, sound, and movement will officially begin its 3-week backspin through the cosmos until February 3. 

Now before you freak out, Mercury retrograde is not breaking news. This astronomical phenomenon happens around three times every year. So this means you’ve been around the Mercury retrograde block a couple of times. You know how to work this energy. You know how it typically plays out. 

However, like the previous two years have shown us, expect the unexpected in 2022. This year, Mercury will retrograde four times instead of its annual three. Yes, you heard me! MERCURY will retrograde four times! The January 2022 retrograde cycle is only the first of four Mercury retreats this year. 

What does Mercury mean in Astrology?

Mercury is the smallest, fastest, and innermost planet in relation to the Sun. It is named after the Roman deity Mercury, the messenger of the Gods. 

In astrology, Mercury generally represents travel, communications, information, and thought. It governs how we send, receive, and process information. Mercury influences how we interact and connect with others. 

What is Mercury retrograde? 

retrograde brings many interpretations from the astrological community. But before we talk about what this cycle means and how things are most likely going to shift, let’s make one thing clear, Mercury retrograde is not a bad thing. In fact, if you use it to your advantage, you may look back and say wow, that was actually one of my most clarifying periods all year. 

From a scientific perspective, it’s important to note that Mercury moves faster than Earth. Because of its swift nature, Mercury passes Earth three times per year in orbit. When Mercury passes Earth (which lasts about three weeks) it appears to be moving in a backward (looped) motion. This astronomical phenomenon is what the astrology community refers to as Mercury Retrograde. 

From an astrological perspective, Mercury retrograde is a time of slowdowns and refinements related to the objects, processes, and behaviors that Mercury traditionally rules. For example, computer systems, email, traffic, airplanes, physical mail, scheduling, planning, workflow, work environments, delivery – shipping times, etc. (these are all Mercury-ruled) 

Why is Mercury Retrograde Important?

Slowdowns are frustrating. As a multi-dimensional being, you live a fast-paced and interconnected life. It’s inconvenient when you experience traffic, a breakup, or a plan falls apart, but it’s not the end of the world. 

Instead of rushing through life and resisting the current lessons you are here to learn, Mercury retrograde is a quarterly reminder to lean into stillness. 

Yes, you may experience technology breakdowns, travel delays, and relationship drama, but you will survive. Think of the next three weeks as unique opportunities to review, reflect, release, and reconnect. Use this cosmic reset to refine your long-term goals. 

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What should I expect from the January - February 2022 Mercury Retrograde?

For the January 2022 retrograde cycle, Mercury will backpedal through two signs,  fixed air sign Aquarius and cardinal earth sign Capricorn. 

From January 14 until January 26, Mercury will retrograde through the first ten degrees of Aquarius. This team-focused transit brings intense review to unfinished group projects, website developments, digital products (especially ebooks), and community updates. If you’ve been wanting to do a technology or social media refresh, you will be more inclined to do so now. Although this may be a daunting task (tech can be so confusing), it’s important that you do the hard work before Mercury moves back into Capricorn on January 26th. 

2022 Mercury Retrograde in Aquarius Themes + Predictions: 

• Issues and unexpected opportunities with the internet, collective or community networks, platforms, learning systems, social media infrastructures 

• Changes to creative partnerships, softwares, structures, collaborations, and group/team dynamics (may see new mergers and acquisitions)

• Mindset shifts around authenticity and individuality (more focus on differentiation and identifying one’s competitive advantage)

• Tech upgrades and transitioning to automation (establishing time freedom)

• Re-emergence of old internet features, customs, and aesthetics 

• Redefining conscious and community-based business ethics (Do for me as I do for you type vibes)

• Reconnecting with or releasing distant friends and extended family members (how do you align with my future? Is this connection authentic?)

Once Mercury moves back into Capricorn from January 26 until February 3, there will be a stronger focus on your public image and reputation (more people may be googling you or digging into your past). This responsibility-oriented transit encourages you to analyze your professional portfolios, resumes, relationships, and profiles. Make sure your foundation and backend systems are secure and in tact. Mercury retrograde in Capricorn is also a favorable time to rethink your long-term goals, especially regarding legacy, retirement, entrepreneurship, and generational wealth. 

2022 Mercury Retrograde in Capricorn Themes + Predictions: 

• Restarting and completing unfinished projects, home/building renovations, and neglected business proceedings. 

• Renegotiating contracts, salaries, public policies, and relationships

• Issues with building/housing permits, traffic tickets, court litigations, and public officials (especially in cases or subjects regarding mothers and women)

• Crackdown on digital currencies, online businesses, and financial infrastructures 

• Converting to community-based savings, business entities, and economics 

• Establishing or continuing new rituals, traditions, and boundaries with distant friends, mentors, and extended relatives.

• Making refinements to business strategies, communication systems, and brand messaging. 

• Redefining responsibility. Joyously taking accountability and patiently building towards your goals. (How can I better manage my time?)

How will Mercury retrograde affect me?'

Where the planets are in the cosmos and how they interact with each other influences the collective in similar ways, but each person experiences these effects differently. 

One of the best ways to explore how Mercury will influence you personally depends on where Mercury is currently retrograde in your natal chart. For the January 2022 retrograde cycle, identify what house(s) Aquarius and Capricorn rule in your natal chart. This is where you will experience the effects of Mercury retrograde the most. 

If you would like a personalized reading for the January 2022 Mercury Retrograde in Aquarius and Capricorn, join us on the Insights club.

Click here for your complete Mercury Retrograde Reading (personalized for all 12 signs), plus access to over 30 beginner, intermediate, and advanced astrology lessons, weekly live workshops, guided meditations, and exclusive horoscopes.

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Final Thoughts:

The January 2022 Mercury retrograde won’t be easy. But when is life ever easy? Does uncertainty not make life more fun?

Think of all the moments you thought you had something planned to the final detail and life did its thing and completely disrupted your perfect plans. So why stress over what’s inevitable? Why fear change? 

If you take anything away from this retrograde season, my prayer, dear reader (ya’ll know i love to write and talk), is that you learn how to breathe lighter and allow yourself to make progress fun. 

As Mercury pushes, prods, and pokes at your tender spots over the next three weeks – as Mercury helps you question and conquer the fears and self-limitations that restrict you from living a grounded life that is whole — remember to take things one day at a time. 

Remember that you may not always be in charge of the circumstances; you may not always properly predict or gracefully manage the outcome, but you are in charge of your reaction; you are in control of your breath; you are in control of your pace. 

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If you want more of your girl, and all the astrological magic on the January 2022 Mercury retrograde in Aquarius and Capricorn, I highly suggest you slide into my exclusive astrology community, the Insighters Club.

Thank you for reading. 

Always, 

Morgan 

Pluto Retrograde 2020: What You Need to Know

Pluto Retrograde Overview 

On April 25, 2020, at 2:54 PM EST, the planet of death, rebirth, and subconscious transformation will station retrograde at 24° Capricorn. 

Every year Pluto stations retrograde, so this cosmic event is not uncommon. When Pluto stations retrograde, you are encouraged to slow down and reflect on your subconscious programming and internal behaviors.

In 2020, this annual transit highlights karmic wounds and generational healing. It represents the internal evaluation of self-realization through family, home as the physical body, and spiritual and material power. 

Over the next 160 days, you are rebuilding your inner world. Pluto’s retrograde position encourages you to sit quietly with your self-destructive patterns, and sort through them honestly free of judgement. 

With this retrograde starting at 24° Capricorn, we are yet again reactivating the energies of the Jupiter and Pluto conjunction that occurred on April 4. During this period, the universe is inviting you to release the blockages that capture you from seeking your true potential. 

Regenerative Pluto in mature Capricorn is exposing and breaking down the habits that make you feel small, give your power away, and attach to material possessions instead of living in pure confidence and unconditional love.

Ask yourself, what are my most prevalent subconscious triggers? What financial concerns am I avoiding? What responsibilities do I delay or victimize? Am I giving my power away?

 If you don’t know the answer to these questions, write them down on a piece of paper and seal it. Place the piece of paper under your pillow for at least six days.

On the sixth day, take out the piece of paper. Journal whatever comes to mind. This is a channeled message from your guides.

Note: I’ve found that many receive insights into their question much sooner than the six days. So listen to your intuition and shape the suggested practice as you feel called.

With Saturn (who is currently in Aquarius until July 1) in such proximity to Pluto, much of this inner focus comes from a curiosity to explore your higher purpose.

As a result, you may feel a strong call to go deeper into your history. If you’ve ever wanted to do genetic testing to know where you come from, what energies and patterns run in your bloodline, this is the time to do it. You may be specially called to explore the heritage of your father.

With Pluto ruling the underworld, I’ve found that the spirit realms are most active during the annual retrograde season. So many of you may receive frequent visits from your dead.

It’s important to remember that Pluto absorbs the willpower (action) energy of Mars and transcends it to a higher dimension. Where Mars channels the impulses of your Sun and Moon and acts them out, Pluto is the motive behind the Sun.

So instead of focusing on change, focus on the reason behind the changes.

It may be helpful to keep a journal throughout the retrograde season. If you cannot commit to journaling every day, check-in at least once a week.

 By doing this, you can keep a clear record of your subconscious thoughts. This will make the integration process easier once Pluto is stationary for 16 days.

Note: With Cancer being Capricorn’s polar (opposite sign). Family and emotional stability are at the core of this transit.

The universe is encouraging you to look beyond your “moodiness.” What makes you ebb and flow? What causes the sudden shift of emotion?

Major Themes of the 2020 Pluto Retrograde Transit: 

Because Pluto’s 2020 retrograde transit occurs in the 10th zodiac sign of Capricorn, you will notice major themes finances, power dynamics, authority, public entities and physical structures, government, and business. 

However, this transit will deeply affect those who have primary placements that are between 14 - 30° Capricorn, Cancer, Libra, or Aries. Those that are between 20 - 25° will feel these effects most. 

• Changes in the collective belief systems regarding finances, government, and money. You could see some serious delays and mishaps surrounding this year’s presidential election. 

• Reshaping the narrative around financial freedom and material wealth. Moving away from the, “me, mine, and my” authority complex and moving towards the “us, we, and them.” 

• Learning how to claim your power without feeling shame. Reshaping fearlessness as a virtue instead of a goal. Confidence is a birthright. 

• Getting down to the core of “overworking” and the negative stigma that comes with it. Major burnout is coming for those who refuse to listen. Reprogramming what it means and feels like to have a healthy work/life balance. 

• Embracing the fact that spirituality and wealth can coexist. Finding harmony fantasy and reality. 

• In love, reshaping power dynamics. Clearly stating partnership roles and redefining what commitment means like for you. 

• Shedding outdated beliefs of marriage and ownership. Major gender role shift. 

• Awareness of your control dramas. Realizing that you don’t need “protection.” 

Pluto Retrograde Messages for the Signs:

Aries: 

Create habits that minimize subconscious stress. How do you overextend yourself? Where can you do less and receive more? 

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Taurus: 

Get down to the bottom of your core beliefs. Be open to rethinking your faith and traditions. If you’re fearful about the future, maybe it’s time to master something new. 

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Gemini:

Uncover your hidden urges. What secret talent or career path is ready to come to the light? What hidden power is ready to be shared? 

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Cancer:

Relationship problems are not random, Cancer. Perhaps it’s time to uncover why you keep getting the same results time and time again. 

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Leo:

Tap into the daily responsibilities and routines you resist, Leo. Why do you fear or hide behind others' authority? If you made a professional decision based on fear, it’s okay to change your mind. 

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Virgo:

If you could pursue any of your interests full-time, which one would it be? If you’re already doing it, what’s holding you back? Look deeper into what you want in life and love. It may be much different than you think. 

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Libra:

Listen to your body, mind, and spirit when it says it’s ready to rest or change. Address familial conflicts and delayed home repairs with care and emotional maturity. If lost, ask yourself, why do I try to solve problems on my own? 

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Scorpio:

Pluto is your planetary ruler, so this transit affects you more deeply. Pay attention to your fear of having a negative reputation. How do you allow the beliefs and interests of others shame you into silence? 

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Sagittarius:

Money fears remind you that you want more out of life, so celebrate that. Uncovering healthy ways to achieve your goals without self-destruction is key. Deal with any hidden father issues. 

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Capricorn: 

If something feels uncertain, be still. Sit with your purest self and deepest desires. Ask yourself, what am I being shown? Everything has a message. 

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Aquarius:

What outdated burdens are you carrying? Why do you take on the weight of the world knowing it will deplete you? Is this really inner strength? Is this your definition of success? 

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Pisces: 

Having friends in important places doesn’t mean others will view you as important, so why do you hide behind those friends? Why do you settle to make others feel big? 

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