Dale Osadchuk

Mercury visits Virgo- 25 July 2017- 7.41 pm EDT to Sept 29- 8.42 pm EDT and is retrograde in Virgo (and briefly Leo) Aug 12 to Sept 05

I began writing this on Monday July 24. Nothing seemed to be working smoothly. The energy felt scattered and disorganized. I thought it was because Venus in Gemini (duality and confusion) was opposite Saturn in Sagittarius (limitations). That was at 10.54 am EDT July 24. Then as I prepared to begin the post on the coming Mercury retrograde in Virgo I realized the planet that influences our thoughts and perceptions and our ability to take action on those thoughts had just entered 28 degrees Leo and begun his retrograde shadow.

In the last few years I have found the retrograde shadow to be very significant. This Zodiac degree of 28 Leo is the degree Mercury will move forward at on Sept 05. It is also the degree of the SUN/MOON total Solar Eclipse of Aug 21. The Sabian Symbol for this degree is A MERMAID EMERGES FROM THE OCEAN WAVES FOR REBIRTH IN HUMAN FORM. In An Astrological Mandala astrologer Dane Rudhyar interprets this symbol as “the stage at which an intense feeling-intuition rising from the unconscious is about to take form as a conscious thought”. So Mercury entering his retrograde shadow is already giving us clues about the powerful activation of the Total Solar Eclipse of Aug 21.

Here are the dates for this Mercury journey. All times are eastern daylight EDT. Adjust for your time zone.

• July 24- Mercury enters his retrograde shadow
• July 25- Mercury enters Virgo- 7.41 pm- mind, body, spirit healing
• Aug 12- Mercury retrogrades at 11 degrees Virgo- 9.00 pm- look within to your Sacred Self
• Aug 31- Mercury retrogrades back into 29 degrees Leo- 11.28 am- heart healing
• Sept 05- Mercury moves direct at 28 Leo- 7.29 am- identify what has become conscious and what has been healed. Focus on your Solar Eclipse affirmations of Aug 21.
• Sept 09- Mercury re-enters Virgo- 10.52pm- focus on spiritual service
• Sept 19- Mercury leaves his retrograde shadow- give your spiritual gifts as healer
• Sept 29- Mercury leaves Virgo and enters Libra- 8.42 pm- conscious healing in relationship

For some time now we have been calling Virgo the Rainbow Bridge of Healing into Wholeness. This Mutable Earth sign (adaptability) is the bridge between the personal signs (Aries to Leo) and the interpersonal social signs (Libra to Aquarius). Opposite Virgo is Pisces, Mystical Union with Source, and where the Rainbow Bridge leads us to. Currently Neptune (illusion or illumination) and Chiron (healing the world wound) are both in Pisces. Chiron is one of the planetary guides for this Mercury retrograde in Virgo journey. 

In traditional astrology before the outer transpersonal planets were sighted (Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto) the inner planets (Mercury, Venus, and Mars) and the societal planets (Jupiter and Saturn) ruled two signs. Mercury is the lord of Gemini (thinking mind) and Virgo (critical thinking). That is where Virgo gets her reputation of being analytical, methodical, and perfection seeking. (Actually Virgo is just wanting to know she is doing things correctly). But the astrological symbol for this feminine sign is The Virgin, at one-ness-within. She is linked to the Temple Priestesses and one of her guides is Vesta/Hestia, the keeper of the Sacred Flame. Vesta symbolizes our commitment to our path of spiritual service. Virgo guides us to looking within and discovering what that path is. Mercury Retrograde in Virgo is supporting us to go on that inner journey and connect with the healer we are. I love the synchronistic Universe. Vesta has been visiting Virgo since July 17 and will be there until Sept 18. Mercury in Virgo leaves his retrograde shadow on Sept 19.  Together they are guiding us to find and live from our Sacred Center.

Earlier we mentioned Chiron as an influence for this Mercury retrograde in Virgo. I consider Chiron as a spiritual guide for planets visiting Virgo. His theme is always healing the spirit. In Pisces he supports us on our journey of healing, forgiveness, and completion. When we heal our own wounds we help to heal the world wound. Chiron too is retrograde (July 01 to Dec 05) asking us to look deeply within and identify what we need to complete and release. The Soul Centered planetary ruler of Virgo is The Moon. She is our guide to our intuitive wisdom. She entered Virgo this morning (July 25) at 6.32 am EDT and adds to the theme of mind, body, spirit healing. She will continue to guide Mercury in Virgo while he is in direct motion and during his retrograde journey. Just remember the Moon changes signs about every two and a half days so you might find different issues coming forward to be healed. The Moon rules the emotions but also our Soul’s Guidance. Let your Essence Self show you the way.

In the Northern Hemisphere our Animal Totem guide for Mercury in Virgo is Brown Bear, introspection, healing, and The Healer. For Chiron in Pisces the Totems are Cougar, spiritual power, and Wolf, the teacher who guides us through change. They are reversed for the Southern Hemisphere. The Clan Mother for this Mercury in Virgo journey is Setting Sun Woman. She is the Mother who teaches us the proper use of will and how TO LIVE THE TRUTH. Human kind needs to learn those lessons and soon. More of Setting Sun’s story can be found in “13 Original Clan Mothers” and “Earth Medicine” both by Jamie Sams.

This Mercury in Virgo journey and spiritual ruler Chiron in Pisces activate the Tarot Constellation of The Hermit, introspection and personal integrity. The theme is looking within to find your inner universe and discovering your connection to Source has never been lost.  The Ray energies are 6^th Ray of Idealism and Devotion. (Be careful the ego does not turn that into dogma). The Archangels are Uriel, peace and harmony, and Aurora Grace, love and devotion. Virgo and Pisces are also 2^nd Ray signs, Divine Love Wisdom. Our Archangel guides are Jophiel, the Light of the Divine within us, and Constance Christine, who guides us to Consistent Illumination.

Wishing this Mercury retrograde in Virgo journey shows you your Lightness of Being and the Divine Wisdom you carry.

Blessings Dale