Mercury Retrograde in Gemini ♊ Summer 2021

artist: Kenojuak Ashevak

May 3: Mercury enters Gemini

May 29: Mercury stations retrograde

June 22: Mercury stations direct

Retrograde planets are not spinning backwards; it is entirely an optical illusion as seen from Earth due to the fact that all planets travel at their own respective speeds around the sun. In astrology, this illusion manifests as a “backwards” functioning of the planetary roles. Click here to learn more about the retrograde illusion.

Mercury turns retrograde three times a year, more frequently than any other planet. From EarthSky:

On Mercury, for example, the Sun sometimes moves in retrograde! As the planet speeds through its closest approach with the sun, its orbital speed overtakes its rotational speed. An astronaut on the surface would see the sun partially rise, then dip back below the horizon, then rise again before resuming its east-to-west trek across the sky. Once a year, Mercury gets two sunrises on the same day!

Gemini season is arguably the busiest time of year, so it’s certainly not convenient having a Mercury Retrograde cycle right in the middle of it! Mercury rules communication, travel, and technology. These realms are most affected by Mercury Retrograde. Expect delays, cancellations, and sudden changes; technological failures, especially cell phones, laptops, or automobiles; miscommunication; lost/stolen items; general malfunction and wtf moments. I do not recommend starting a new job, buying a car, moving to a new place, or signing any contracts/documents. This is not a good time for travel, negotiation, or investments.

This Mercury Retrograde takes place entirely in Gemini. Mercury has not been retrograde in this constellation since 2015. You may recall that the last Mercury Retrograde fell in Aquarius. After this dance in Gemini, the next and final Mercury Retrograde of 2021 will fall in Libra, the remaining air sign. This is how Mercury Retrograde moves through the zodiac, year after year. 2021 is an air element year, just like 2015.

With Mercury Retrograde in Gemini, we turn inwardly, toward creative and intellectual pursuits, and outwardly, toward our social circle and busy external lives. This is how Gemini operates: always in duality, always in motion, and somehow always with perfect timing. Because Gemini is a mutable sign, this retrograde will feel like a whirlwind, over before we know it.

Gemini is the zodiac’s wily wordsmith and gypsy musician. To the untrained eye, Gemini appears calm, cool, and collected, but a bundle of nervous energy vibrates just beneath the surface. Mercury’s tiny size and speed are perfectly reflected in the qualities of Gemini. Twins, according to archetype, are wiry, spritely, and always on the move. Twins represent duality in all forms: male and female, light and dark, day and night, life and death, sun and moon. In East Asia, this is yin and yang. Hunahpu and Xbalanque are the twins from the Popul Vuh, the creation story of the Mayan people. At the end of the Popul Vuh, the twins surface from deep within the earth, climb into the sky and become the sun and moon.

Despite his motormouth, Gemini is a private soul, cloaked in secrecy. Geminis openly admit that they can’t/won’t stay in any one relationship, job, or physical location for long. Infatuated with mystery, they become easily addicted to new people or ideas, and then, just as quickly, drop these obsessions with stupefying swiftness. Here we see the twins’ notorious aloofness. One twin wants to love and be loved; the other can’t wait to fly away and never come back. Gemini routinely leaves his comfort zone to slake an undying thirst for what is real and extreme and intoxicating, then returns to be rocked and lulled by a familiar revolution.

The Gemini constellation is known as the twins, so sibling relations are up for review, but this retrograde will impact just about every kind of relationship. Gemini is a social butterfly with lots of tendrils reaching out to lots of different kinds of people. Shaky relationships will be tested. At the same time, this buzzing energy will attract more casual interactions, such as small talk with acquaintances. This is a time of deep inquiry when it comes to things like communication and community.

We have an opportunity to gain some deep wisdom if we don’t get too distracted by external social theater. At its core, Mercury Retrograde is all about change and there is simply no escaping it. I like to think of Mercury in Gemini as a reset button. This is a very auspicious placement for Mercury because this planet rules Gemini. In astrology we say that this retrograde transit occurs “at home.” Keeping this in mind, have faith that the changes hurtling your way are designed to help and center you.

Visualize a quick and witty wind blowing through the open door of your life, tickling the crannies of your mind. Mercury Retrograde in Gemini is vibrant and animated. Gemini epitomizes the true essence of mercurial/mutable energy. If you resist changes (especially in your social/romantic life) – or your intuitive impulse to make changes – expect that this transit will be difficult for you. Don’t wait to be fabulous. It’s time to create, communicate, network, write, sing, dance – whatever excites your soul. Holding a lid on all this mutable energy is like trying to direct the wind: futile and exhausting.

Dates worth mentioning before the retrograde: May 12 (harmonious), May 22 (challenging), May 28 (harmonious)

During the retrograde: June 5 (challenging), June 10 (harmonious – if you need to do anything that is normally taboo during Mercury Rx – such as signing documents or making a major purchase – this is the best day to do it),

After the retrograde: July 6 (harmonious)

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, meditate on the throat chakra. Those born with Mercury in Gemini will have an interesting Mercury Return. To find your Mercury sign and whether this planet was direct or retrograde at the time of your birth, click here.