Mercury in Virgo: August 20 to October 26, 2022

Including Mercury's Retrograde Cycle: September 9 to October 2

Please note that this and all my other forecasts are based on the sidereal zodiac used in both Vedic and western sidereal astrology, not the tropical system used by most western astrologers. All the astrological charts below are calculated according to the sidereal zodiac and Lahiri Ayanamsa.

The extended transit of Mercury in sidereal Virgo began on August 20, 2022 (and in some parts of the world, on August 21). Mercury will remain in Virgo until October 26, 2022. This is twice as long as Mercury’s average transit time in a sign, a phenomenon which is caused by Mercury’s upcoming retrograde cycle.

The following are the important related timings, and you can use the World Time Buddy to convert these to your own time zone as needed:

1.    Mercury Virgo Ingress: August 20, 2022, at 4:33:30 PM EDT (8:33:30 PM UTC)

2.    Mercury Stationary Retrograde, with Mercury at 14 degrees and 45 minutes of Virgo: September 9, 2022, at 11:38:30 PM EDT (September 10, 2022, at 3:38:30 AM UTC)

3.    Mercury Inferior Conjunction: September 23, 2022, at 2:49:50 AM EDT (6:49:50 AM UTC)

4.    Mercury Stationary Direct, with Mercury at 0 degrees Virgo: October 2, 2022, at 5:07:30 AM EDT (9:07:30 AM UTC)

5.    Mercury Pre-Retrograde Shadow Period: August 20 to September 9, when we begin to experience the themes that will be playing out in our lives during the upcoming retrograde period.

6.    Mercury Post-Retrograde Period: From October 2-16, when we will be adjusting to the shifts that occurred in the previous month+

Mercury retrogrades for about 24 days, 3-4 times a year. This transit has a very big reputation as a time when things can and will go haywire! Mercury is the astrological indicator of the thinking mind (budhi), intellect, memory, communication (throat chakra), writing, speech, travel, trade and commerce, play and humor, and transportation. In some cases of Mercury retrograde, we can experience snafus or delays in some of these associated areas. Nonetheless, this is only likely to be a significant issue when retrograde Mercury is somehow interfacing in a challenging way with one’s own natal horoscope and planetary cycles.

Customarily, astrology advises not to enter into agreements or sign important contracts during a Mercury retrograde cycle, with the idea being that it may not work out or will have to be revised later. Yet, in my experience, this is not always the case. It is a fact that many of the most successful Fortune 500 companies were incorporated during Mercury retrograde cycles.

As a astrological “Timing Coach,” much of my astrological practice is involved in helping clients find the best moments to initiate various kinds of personal and professional matters, including starting a new business. This is called Muhurta (or Auspicious Date Selection), the branch of Jyotish that deals with the propitious timing of important events. This is similar to Western astrology’s elective (or electional) system, and it is my favorite area of astrological practice.

I have on occasion been able to find an auspicious date and time to establish a new initiative within a Mercury retrograde cycle. This is because Mercury may be stronger when it is retrograde, and could be well suited for success depending on the individual circumstances and where it is placed by house in the event chart. We also have to keep in mind that multiple other astrological as well as practical considerations have to be taken into account besides just the Mercury cycle.

The operative pattern for retrograde cycles is found among a variety of words prefixed by “re,” as in this being a time to re-consider, re-organize, re-energize, re-affirm, re-formulate, re-generate, re-define, re-negotiate, re-novate, re-discover, re-consider, etc. How the Mercury retrograde cycle plays out for us really depends on various larger planetary cycles in play, the condition of Mercury in the natal chart, the sign in which Mercury is transiting, as well as aspects and yogas formed between Mercury and other transiting and natal planets.

In many instances, I have noticed those who have Mercury retrograde in their natal charts experience the retrograde transit as a re-freshing time that feels more natural and uninhibited than usual. For these natural Mercury retrograde natives, thought processes can begin flowing quite creatively and even more in harmony with higher mind during these retrograde transits.

During a Mercury retrograde cycle, and especially in the first 10-11 days of it, our non-linear intuitive mind (right brain) becomes more active than our linear mind (left brain), helping us to think creatively and “outside the box.” However, we need to slow down and take time to contemplate and listen deeply if we want to make the most of this cycle and avoid lapses in memory and communication breakdowns. This is an especially important time to take nootropics like Gotu Kola, L-Theanine, and Rhodiola Rosea to boost cognitive function.

Mercury, the Messenger of the Gods, is said to be traveling in the Underworld during his retrograde period. This may represent some disruptions, but also the capacity for deepening awareness. This is because Mercury’s retrograde journey symbolizes our own capacity to tap into deeper levels of mind. Here, problems can be solved in surprising ways, and new understandings can be brought to light to help overcome any perceived limitations. Mercury retrograde periods offer us a great opportunity to reset our minds — to catch up, regroup, and reorganize; to step back, reflect, and reconsider where we have come and where we are going.

Mercury’s inferior conjunction with the Sun will occur on September 23, and around this date, we may access some important information and guidance and can begin to plant metaphoric seeds for something new to develop. What is revealed at this time is likely to emerge around Mercury’s direct station on October 2. The last twelve days or so of the retrograde period (after the inferior conjunction) are more about preparing to take new action which will have been inspired during the previous introspective period that began on September 9. But we may still need to wait until after Mercury goes direct to make any life-altering decisions or to initiate anything significant.

Mercury retrograde periods are a great time for psychotherapy, healing work, astrological consultation, or a vacation, health holiday, or spiritual retreat. It’s a time when we can especially benefit from deepening creative and spiritual processes and practices. These are good periods for researching, comparison shopping, reconsidering and renegotiating existing agreements, and finishing what has been started previously. There is nothing to be afraid of with Mercury retrograde, especially if we use the time as suggested, and also remember to go with the flow.

This upcoming Mercury retrograde cycle is the third one of 2022. There will be one more beginning on December 29, 2022, and lasting until January 18, 2023. All these Mercury retrogrades are occurring in sidereal earth signs this year, where Mercury is in his own domain (as he rules the earth element, according to Vedic astrology). This suggests a need to come back down to earth, i.e., to take personal responsibility for resolving real life problems through a constructive, pragmatic, hard-working, solutions-oriented approach.

In other words, for anyone who has been building castles in the air, it may be time to take a more sober or sensible approach to creating new structures, especially related to material sustenance and well-being. As an example, I have just in recent days read several articles discussing that the Great Resignation is finally coming to an end. Also known as the Big Quit and the Great Reshuffle, this was an economic trend in which millions of employees in Western countries, China, and India voluntarily resigned from their jobs en masse in 2020 and 2021.

Virgo is the sign of the giving and loving Earth Mother who provides sustenance for all of life. She symbolizes balanced living, service, and work. Mercury here is exalted, which gives a great deal of strength to its expression. Usually, all other things being equal, the qualities of Mercury in Virgo include ambition, hard work, organization, discernment, stoicism, logic, efficiency, practicality, and an orientation to analysis and detail; focus on healing, health, and purity; desire for order and harmony; and interest in research, science, and technology. Mercury in Virgo is generally concerned with constructive applications that lead to financial well-being and a good position in life.

Mercury in Virgo when operating in its lower expression can get lost in the details, and may manifest as perfectionistic, critical, or intolerant. These qualities are often mitigated depending on various factors, including when Venus is also in Virgo. In this transit, Venus will be closely conjoined Mercury in Virgo from September 24 to October 2.   

Wherever Mercury is transiting (and retrograding), it will shift our mental focus and bring new emphasis, communication, and intellectual energy. The astrological house of Mercury’s transit will reveal the areas of focus. The aspects that Mercury makes to natal and transiting planets will further point out important matters at hand. As an example, when Mercury transits and retrogrades in the 11th house (for Scorpio), it’s a good time for reviewing aspirations and goals while also setting a new path forward (11th house matters). If transiting Mercury conjoins Venus in a natal chart, there may be the blossoming of a new creative inspiration connected to a professional or business concern.

As a general rule (and not taking into account other important transiting planets), the best house transits for Mercury are 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 11. So, with this Virgo transit, that would be for those with Leo, Gemini, Aries, Aquarius, Sagittarius, or Scorpio ascendant, Sun, or Moon (based on the sidereal zodiac, not the western/tropical system).

Around August 17-23, and again from September 26 to October 7, Mercury will be in opposition to retrograde Neptune transiting on the edge, first in early Pisces and next in late Aquarius. This can change the typically clear-minded quality of Mercury in Virgo and muddle it a bit, perhaps through confusing fantasies, miscommunication, or emotional thinking. It’s an especially important time to be aware of our thoughts, as some of us may feel quite sensitive, even verging on paranoid. We should avoid divulging any secrets, and protect ourselves against deceptive schemes, scammers, hackers, and delusional fearmongers.

Jupiter in Pisces will also oppose Mercury during this upcoming period, from August 28 to September 23, and again from October 7-15. This can reflect a wave of optimism and the expression of strongly held convictions, but also grandiosity, extremism, and fanaticism. Caution is advised, as these energies could lead to conflicts or disturbances.

I also wonder if the Mercury opposition to both Neptune and Jupiter in the coming months reflects some spiritual or intellectual awakenings, as well as the revelation of truth in which certain mass illusions and fraudulent actions will be more broadly exposed to the public.  

May Mercury’s sojourn in Virgo be a blessing for Divine Mother Earth, and for all beings in all universes, both known and unknown. May love, light, peace, and truth prevail in all realms. Shanti, Shanti. Shanti.