Dr
Z Looks at Mercury's Pre-retrograde
Shadow and Post-retrograde Shadow Periods
Question:
Dr Z, Why haven't you written anything about the shadow periods
of Mercury Retrograde?
Answer: Yep!
It would certainly appear that a large number of astrologers
out there buy
into
(and
want
to
make
sure that
you buy into)
the "pre-retrograde
Shadow" and
"post-retrograde
Shadow" periods of Mercury.
Sorry
to disappoint you, mi amigo... but I just can't bring myself
to swallow the whole enchilada.
If
you've already read my article on Mercury Retrograde, then
you
already
know
I'm
not a typical astrologer that enjoys handing out
restrictive orders involving what you absolutely
must not
do during Mercury
Retrograde, itself. So you shouldn't be too surprised that
I can't (and don't) buy into these extended shadow periods.
The
Evolution of the Shadow Periods
A long,
l-o-n-g time ago, all you ever occasionally heard
of were the alleged post-retrograde shadow periods, and that
you
should
continue
to be wary of
Mercury until he once again reached the spot in the sky where
he'd originally gone retrograde.
It
all seemed to make a fair amount of sense... but then
somewhere along the line the dreaded pre-retrograde shadow
periods were added into the mix...
Do
The Math For Yourself
Mercury experiences a retrograde cycle approximately once every
4 months, and during any given retrograde cycle Mercury remains
retrograde for approximately 3 weeks. The pre-retrograde Shadow
Mercury periods last 2 to 3 weeks. The post-retrograde Shadow
Mercury periods last 2 to 3 more weeks.
So
add them all up - the pre-retrograde Shadow Mercury
periods that last 2 to 3 weeks,
the Mercury retrogrades that last 3 weeks, and then
the post-retrograde Shadow Mercury periods that last
2 to 3 more weeks.
Yep!
According to these jokers, you
should then refrain from significant communications, signing
contracts, and the like for an average
of
40% of
the time during any given consecutive 365 day period.
In
unique calendar years where Mercury goes retro 4 times (rather
than the more normal 3 times), such as in the year 2009, sticking
strictly to the 2009 calendar year,
it's
slightly
over 50%
of the
days in 2009 that you should be concerned with Mercury.
Doesn't
that sound like pure, unadulterated, ________ to you? Modern astrologers
with our sophisticated, cutting edge, astrological calculation
software have way too much time on our hands.
Don't
get me wrong... some of my best and most talented astrologer
friends believe in one or both of the shadow periods of Mercury
retrograde. (And they're probably wagging a scolding finger
at me as they read this.)
Besides...
being
a Jungian/archetypal astrologer I almost always like a good
"shadow,"
but this
is ridiculous! Nowadays, I'm sitting back and waiting with
bated breath for the pre-pre-retrograde
Shadow and the post-post-retrograde Shadow periods.
Sometimes...
less is more...
<< Back
To Mercury Retrograde
Astrology
Menu 
