Mercury Retrograde – May-June 2021 – Shadow Obsessions

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Mercury Retrograde

There’s a lot to talk about with this Mercury retrograde period that’s about to hit soon (or has already hit by the time some of you read this article). With all the celestial changes happening right now, it can feel overwhelming. It’s about to ramp up even more, given that we’ve had a Lunar Eclipse, Saturn retrograde, and an upcoming Solar Eclipse. Let’s do this.

Mercury Retrograde Period

Mercury Retrograde begins May 29th, 2021 at 15:34:01 PDT (22:34:01 UTC), and starts at 24 Gem 43’01” RX, and will last until June 22nd, 2021 at 15:00:02 PDT (22:00:02 UTC) when it hits 16 Gem 07’37”. This retrograde takes place entirely within Gemini, one of Mercury’s domiciles, and thus will be considerably more powerful than some of the previous retrograde cycles. Local and short-distance travel, communications, messages, how we come across to others… these are all aspects that will be highlighted for the next few weeks. Technological disruptions, glitches, crossed signals, and misunderstandings are highly likely right now.

Aspects to Mercury Station Retrograde

Brace yourselves, as the couple aspects that are present are extremely potent.

Mercury Station Retrograde Conjunct Venus in Gemini

The conjunction to the planet of love, valuables, relationships, what we hold dear, this coming at the time of the retrograde station tells us that we should not expect things to be normal in the aforementioned area of our lives for the next few weeks. Communications and how we come across to those we love and to those we desire, this is going to be rather tricky right now. We can expect:

  • Missed messages
  • Misunderstandings
  • Being left on “seen”
  • Missed opportunities (both in love and money)

While normally this combination can bring us some welcome overtures, there’s bound to be a few missed or sour notes right now. Of course, if you’re reconnecting with someone, then maybe this works out. But I do have to point out that returning to an ex during a Mercury retrograde can end in a major hangover after this cycle is over. Consider the reasons there were disconnections to begin with, and review whether they’ve actually made the necessary changes to make another chance worth the effort.

Mercury Station Retrograde and Venus in Gemini Square Neptune in Pisces

Given the potential for misfires and miscommunications with the conjunction, the square to Neptune amps up the potential for crossed signals and other mental games. Neptune is known for illusions and deceptions, especially in square, so the danger here is being taken in by sweet talkers who are looking to take advantage. There’s also the risk of chasing phantoms, or pursuing relationships/opportunities based on something that isn’t there. On the other hand, this could also result in other crossed signals that lead to missed opportunities, as the opposite can happen: misinterpreting interest as disinterest.

Another thing to look out for here is that this is a major period of transition for a lot of people, and you could be going after someone who doesn’t know what they want right now, and are in a state of exploration. Hell, you really need to ask yourself if you know what you want… and I bet you think you do, but you don’t really know what you want, or need. Making solid decisions right now isn’t very likely, and whatever decisions are made are likely to dissipate in short order.

Mercury Station Retrograde and Venus in Gemini Quincunx Pluto and Moon in Capricorn

This is just going to be rough. Pluto conjunct Moon is no joke, especially in the no-nonsense sign of Capricorn, so reputation is definitely on the line for quite a few people. Pluto and Moon together can represent emotional turmoil, dark nights of the soul, and heavily emotional endings. Add an awkward quincunx to Mercury retrograde and Venus, and the prospect of messy breakups is all but assured for those relationships not well-equipped to endure. Remember, we’re just coming off of a Lunar Eclipse as well, so emotions and feelings are acutely heightened right now.

Entering into relationships? Not likely to be lasting. And if you’re wondering what to do in regards to a potential relationship or connection right now that isn’t actually bonded yet? Just don’t count on it. If you really want to be with this individual, however, then be absolutely clear in your communications with them, and triple-check messages so there’s a lesser chance of misunderstanding. It’s also easy to jump to conclusions right now.

Having an overdrive in heavy feelings for someone you desire is also likely. Keep some of that in check, because this could mean trouble if not properly handled. Obsessions are extremely likely to manifest or ramp up right now.

Mercury Station Retrograde and Venus in Gemini Semisextile Black Moon Lilith with Algol in Taurus

Deeper feelings and obsessions are definitely in the forecast here for this retrograde cycle, and with Algol involved with Black Moon Lilith, it’s going to be a lot easier to lose your head when it comes to love, money, and how you communicate these things. It’s going to be a lot easier to say something regrettable in the heat of the moment, so master the art of taking a few steps back to get your bearings straight now.

Given this aspect, I can also see the themes of female empowerment and the divine feminine being challenged. Politics regarding women’s health could be particularly ugly now with ill-conceived legislation. I can almost guarantee that those who shouldn’t be writing such legislation would also disregard anything I write in any of my articles, so the prospect of keeping up the good fight to keep from stepping backwards in progress will be a strong one now.

Other Active Aspects During the Retrograde Station

There’s other aspects that color what themes will play out during this retrograde cycle, and there’s some doozies here.

Mars Conjunct Pollux in Cancer

This is not the greatest position for Mars. It’s already weakened in Cancer, and Pollux doesn’t make things any easier for the red planet. Constellations of Words has this to say about Pollux:

“With Mars: Violent, murderer or murdered, high position but final ruin, violent death by suffocation, drowning or assassination especially if the Moon be there also.”

Not the greatest aspect there. Moon isn’t here fortunately, but it does have to be addressed in the next aspect to Mars I’ll be getting to…

Expect intense emotional outbursts and don’t expect a lot of objectivity.

Mars/Pollux in Cancer Opposite Moon-Pluto in Capricorn

Now, the good news is this is a slightly wider orb at about four degrees, so the effect isn’t as strong as if it were tighter. That said, there’s going to be a great deal of emotional turmoil and conflict here. Breakups and dissolutions of partnerships, friendships, acquaintanceships, all of these will come to a head now. Links that are meant to endure will continue, though you will need to likely iron out some issues and come to grips with some painful truths now.

Mars/Pollux in Cancer Trine Neptune in Pisces

Fortunately we have this softer link which should be good for the creative process. It should be easier to brainstorm and make progress on some projects you’ve had on the back burner for awhile now. Definitely take advantage of this burst of inspiration.

Mars/Pollux in Cancer Sextile Black Moon Lilith/Algol in Taurus

Believe it or not, I’m going to say that this combination can work to our advantage here. There is a lot of potential here for dealing with some intense inner shadow work right now. It’s no secret that many of us have some deeper issues that have been clawing for a chance to come to the surface now. With this combination marking the Mercury retrograde cycle, this is an ideal time to take care of some of the inner work that you’ve been avoiding for quite some time now. Coming out of the retrograde period, you’ll be glad you did. Journaling will be quite useful in documenting this, so years later when you look back at this period, you’ll know what demons you’ve exorcised.

Sun Conjunct North Node and Aldebaran in Gemini

We do have another potentially positive aspect helping us out here for this retrograde cycle. Sun with Aldebaran can bestow us with a burst of energy and renewed stamina, and there’s also a chance of gaining some glory, but great care will need to be taken to keep from losing that glory down the road. There is also a potential for conflict with this, but then again those achieving great things have always had to fend off their detractors throughout the ages. With the North Node here as well, what we do with this enhanced energy and potential for great things can propel us into a far better future if we take advantage of the opportunities wisely.

Sun and North Node in Gemini Trine Saturn Retrograde in Aquarius

Saturn’s still moving rather slowly after having just shifted direction less than a week ago, so the disciplinarian of the cosmos will be a little sluggish now at the onset. Still, Sun trine Saturn is good for discipline and taking care of business that needs to be taken care of. If you’ve been putting off some repair work, replacement, or other important tasks, this will be a time you can get caught up on that now. Just be careful not to hammer your thumb instead of the nail (or whatever the equivalent is in whatever it is you’re fixing up).

In Closing…

Relationships and partnerships are going to be sorely tested during this cycle, and feelings of unrequited love could be overly intense for some for the next few weeks. That may signal the inner shadow work that you need to work on during the next few weeks, though, so don’t try to bottle it up and shove it away. With the creative aspects here, there’s a great opportunity to channel that into some intense creative work and projects now. Between the eclipse energies and this retrograde cycle, working on yourself is just going to be the best bet. There’s a great chance of coming out of this period reborn. Don’t waste the opportunity.