Mercury retrograde arrives in full force on August 4th, when it stations retrograde in the energy of Virgo. On August 28th, Mercury stations direct in the energy of Leo. This Mercury retrograde is extraordinary, blending the energies of both Virgo and Leo. This guide will lead you through what to be especially mindful of during this transformative retrograde season.

Retrogrades as Opportunities for Renewal

Retrogrades are times for do-overs and second chances, brimming with opportunities to redo, revise, revisit, rethink, reconnect, and recover. These themes may appear uninvited, yet they always arrive with the intention of helping you evolve. Be aware of the chances that emerge during retrograde periods, and act on these opportunities for growth, learning, and healing. Retrograde periods are not to be feared—they are moments that call for mindfulness, introspection, and rest.

The Purpose of Mercury Retrogrades

Mercury carries the energy of a messenger. It highlights communication and information, revealing truth in an honest way. It brings to light the shadow sides of your mind, as well as the ideas, visions, and thoughts you carry within. Mercury retrograde is the perfect time to find your truth, free yourself from what’s not meant to be, let go, and heal. All this must be done with deep reflection and awareness to avoid sudden changes. Patience is key.

Mercury also highlights the connections you have with others. Transformative information may be revealed at this time, but be aware that information based on illusions may also surface. It’s a time to revise and rethink. Open, honest, and fair conversations can lead to beneficial resolutions.

Mercury retrogrades allow you to review and rewrite your story. You always have a chance to shape your reality. This is your invitation to adopt new perspectives and make mindset shifts. Challenge yourself with new ways of thinking. Ask yourself questions, even surprising ones. Notice what is working and what is not. Fix what needs fixing and move on.

Mercury retrogrades are your opportunity to revisit past decisions and conversations from the prior three months. If you notice adjustments needed in your thought process and behavior, this is your invitation to make them. Mercury retrogrades are not for starting new projects or taking major leaps of faith. Rather, they are for finishing open conversations and projects. They are for slowing down the usually vibrant mercurial energy. This period is about cultivating calmness and harmony. It’s about choosing the right decisions and actions based on your greatest good and the greatest good of everyone and everything around you.

Doing all this reflection and taking action with powerful self-compassion and compassion towards others is essential.

Be mindful, be aware, be honest, and be authentic. This is your path to success during a Mercury retrograde period.

Navigating the Energies of Virgo and Leo During Mercury Retrograde

Virgo and Leo lend their energies to this Mercury retrograde season in August 2024, creating an alluring mix of two very different nuances.

Leo is bold, grand, and dramatic, very visible in its actions. Virgo, on the other hand, is modest and discerning, keeping away from drama. These opposites give this Mercury retrograde season an ambiance of balance-seeking. This is about finding the golden middle way.

The Hermit and Strength Tarot Cards: Your Guides Through Retrograde

The tarot cards associated with Virgo and Leo—the Hermit and Strength—are your potent guides during this Mercury retrograde.

The Hermit is the card linked to Virgo. The Hermit is an archetype of knowledge and wisdom. The Hermit isn’t afraid of isolation and introspection, as these are used to gain more knowledge and as a guiding light. The Hermit is also willing to share the wisdom he has with others who are willing to listen. All in all, this tarot card underlines the time taken for yourself to reflect, learn, and gain insights. It’s about learning from actions made and experiences from the past and turning them into wisdom. The Hermit isn’t about wallowing in emotions or past experiences. Its energy is rational and focused on solutions. The Hermit is about ruling the mind rather than letting the mind rule you. The Hermit is about moving forward with all the lessons learned.

The Hermit reminds you to take time to think. Think for yourself. Isolate yourself if needed for better clarity and harmony. You have the answers inside you. Pay attention, be aware. Share your wisdom with others, but perhaps only when invited to do so. The Hermit is about modesty. There’s no need to be loud. Embrace the silence and quiet wisdom. Also, keep to yourself what you feel like keeping. Not everything is meant to be shared.

The Strength tarot card is connected to Leo and was introduced in the Leo season guide. The scene in the Strength card is another great example of the balance between limitless self-expression and having some restrictions on that. While authentic self-expression is encouraged, it’s still important to be aware of its true impacts. Not every moment is meant for a wild output. It’s about choosing words and actions wisely.

Tarot Ritual for This Mercury Retrograde Season

Working with tarot cards during this Mercury retrograde season can provide deep insights into your connections and communication. Shuffle your deck with the intention of clarity in your connections and communication. Aim for a better understanding of these themes and their effects internally and externally. Stop shuffling when you feel ready to receive clarity.

Find the Hermit and Strength cards from your freshly shuffled deck. Set these cards and the cards found before and after them in front of you. The surrounding cards add layers to the answers you are seeking.

• The Hermit: Introspection and Inner Wisdom
  • Card behind: What lesson from the past three months contributes to my greater wisdom?
  • Card before: What wisdom can I share with the world based on my recent experiences?

• The Strength: Balancing Self-Expression
  • The card behind: How do I need to be more mindful of my way of communicating?
  • The card before: Where and how can I add openness to my communication?

Journal Prompts for Reflection During Mercury Retrograde

Use these prompts to deepen your reflection during this Mercury retrograde:

• What have I learned about my connections with others in the past three months?
• What connections need revisiting, finishing, or releasing during this Mercury retrograde?
• What wisdom am I most proud of generating over the past three months?
• What kind of impact do I want my words to have on the world around me?
• How can I achieve better balance in my interactions with others?
• Where in my communication can I add more honesty and openness?

Intuitive Mercury Retrograde Message for the La Mia Luna Collective

Stillness and silence are often the golden steps to greater wisdom.

Wishing you kindness, light, and harmony,

Mimi 🌙