The 2nd Mercury Retrograde 2017 lasts from April 9 to May 3 and travels from 4º Taurus back to 24° Aries. Even though Mercury retrograde starts in the beginning of Taurus, the whole retrograde period has a fiery Aries theme as Mercury will spend half the period in Aries and will ignite heroic themes of courage and rescue. This is because the major star being activated will the ‘damsel in distress’ star Mirach in princess Andromeda’s girdle.

Perseus, rescuer of the princess is an Aries archetype in that he is heroic and brave. In the Greek myth Andromeda’s father agreed to sacrifice his daughter to Poseidon in order to save his kingdom. (What is it with these Neptunian gods always demanding child sacrifice?!) It looks like this Mercury Retrograde will start off extremely challenging with Venus retrograde square Saturn. Saturn is on a poisonous star too. Etamin in the right eye of Draco the Dragon is associated with the scattering of poison. (In modern days this could even be chemical weapons.)

Damsels In Distress

If that wasn’t enough, there is a cardinal T-square with Jupiter retrograde (Religious zealots) square Pluto (Globalists) square a Sun/Eris/Uranus stellium. (Persephone child abduction theme overlaps child sacrifice theme.). Mars is conjunct Ceres (The rape of mother earth and pagan principles.) in a decan hotspot that contains stars Algol (Medusa’s head) and Capulus the slayer.

When this Andromeda Mercury goes retrograde then, we have an opportunity to do in-depth research in this very volatile area that it travels through. Facing the disturbing topics of child sacrifice and abduction is unavoidable. All news and alternative media will become super-dramatic, and the themes mentioned in this post should play out, whether they are truthful or not! Mercury is one of three visible planets that are retrograde at this time which makes it even more challenging. (At least until Venus turns direct on April 15.).

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Mercury Retrograde April Dates & Times

March 27 ~ Mercury Pre-Shadow Period starts at 24° Aries.
April 9 ~ Mercury Retrograde at 4° Taurus.(11.14 pm UT.)
May 3 ~ Mercury Direct at 24° Aries. (4.22 pm UT.)
May 19 ~ Post-Shadow ends at 4° Taurus

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April 9 to 19 ~ Mercury Retrograde 2017 In Taurus Decan 1

RAGING BULLS. In the personal realm, those touched by this retrograde will either talk until the cows come home or be very reticent. Much depends on how confident they are feeling. The shy ones might become surprisingly chatty after a few glasses of wine. Words could get them into trouble.. a lot. Mercury in this decan create terrible gossip, and bring out tactless behavior. There are rousing speeches however, but a need to temper getting carried away. Overconfidence leads to moving towards Taurus decan 1’s dictatorship potentials. It will be hard to contain political rants and protests. Having said all that, Mercury is very powerful here in terms of its dignity as it rules this decan in the Chaldean system. This position, even retrograde, can assist merchants, orators, singers and writers. Use this time to prepare for an important business meeting, interview or public performance.

Apr 19/20 ~ Sun conjunct Mercury at 0º Taurus on Mirach

Midway through the Mercury retrograde 2017 cycle opens a window of wonderfulness where we can stand in the eye of the hurricane but miraculously come out in one piece. This way you can avoid the vacillation generally of Mirach but also gain its more positive attributes mentioned below. You can make use of the special Sun exact conjunct Mercury moment (Cazimi in traditional astrology). Either send a romantic message that really hits the mark or pitch an artistic idea. Try as close to these times as you can. Apr 19: 11.03pm PDT. Apr 20: 2.00am EDT, 7.03am UT, 8.03am CEST, 4.03pm AEST. (Sorry I know they are quite impractical for those in the US, Cazimi lasts about 3 hours either side of the hour.)

Mirach 0º with Mercury “Vacillating, unstable, peculiar events, many travels and changes.” 

Mirach is found in the girdle of Andromeda. Despite the ‘peculiar events’ driven by Mercury on this star, it is generally extremely fortunate “portending renown and good luck in matrimony.” [1] The myth has Princess Andromeda chained to a rock as a sacrifice to Cepheus the sea monster. All to appease an offended Neptune! It all ends well however, as Andromeda was rescued by brave Perseus whom she married. Robson echoes the myth saying Mirach “gives personal beauty, a brilliant mind, a love of home, great devotion, beneficence, forgiveness, love, overcoming by kindness, renown, and good fortune in marriage.” The Ebertins emphasize a creative side saying Mirach endows “Many interests, tendency to inspiration and medium-ship as a base for artistic creations, altruism, cheerfulness, happiness, love of company. These people have a stimulating effect on others, they make friends easily and are helped on in life by others.” [2]

April 21 to May 3 ~ Mercury In Aries Decan 3

BOUNTY HUNTERS: Small words make big impressions during this time! Those touched by this part of the retrograde journey are aided in oratory and giving a persuasive sales pitch. The mind will be brilliant too in a way that weaves many different ideas into one cohesive ideology. Mercury has no dignity here so the gift during this time is its power of persuasion, rather than innate genius. However those with genuine talent will have the ability to transmit their message with great emotional punch. This almost guarantees that their ideology or products will reach a large audience. Mercury Aries 3 can be as seductive as it is highly critical. At its most negative it can inflict emotional abuse on others in the form of mental cruelty. Verbal attacks can feel like one is being machine-gunned with words. On the positive side Mercury here can use words to heal and uplift also. You can use this period to sweet-talk lovers with the most heartwarming poetry. Words are a big turn on!

May 3 ~ Mercury Direct

Mercury direct is a far more positive chart! The Yod to Jupiter is interesting in that it could be used for positive, spiritual transformation. The Sun/Neptune midpoint between an earthy Taurus the moisture of Pisces could bring some healing… mud. Mercury itself joins hands with rebellious, independent Uranus to bring, freedom of speech? With ever increasing censorship on alternative media we can only hope.

There is a nice balance from Saturn by trine to this Mercury direct. What was Saturn’s Draco poison in the Mercury Retrograde chart could be made into anti-venom perhaps? During this Aries/Taurus Mercury Retrograde we learn how transmute offensive words and turn their energy around for defense, much like in martial arts.