Deeper significance of this Mercury retrograde

Mercury’s final retrograde of the year is packed with pent-up energy. As the communication planet reverses direction Monday evening at 9:42pm EST, it can wrest open some floodgates.

This can be a hoped-for ice-breaker if you've been stuck—or a serious warning to think before you speak if you tend to be impulsive. It all comes down to your intentions.

For one thing, Mercury is out-of-bounds (i.e., outside the “dominion” of the Sun and prevailing mores) in spontaneous Sagittarius, so good luck with that muzzle. And it’s in a pretty close opposition to Jupiter, which rules Sag and gives it its expansiveness and optimism.

But note: Both planets are in detriment and retrograde and in mutual reception, so the potential for unpremeditated blurts and searing rants is high (as are emotions in general after a fever-dream of an election cycle, which may not be unrelated).

For another thing, Mercury is squaring Neptune, which is also retrograde and not bringing much by way of objectivity to situations. Jupiter is squaring Saturn, whose instincts and M.O. run counter to both Jupiter’s and Neptune’s: structure, form and discipline vs. either expansiveness and limitlessness (Jupiter) or shapelessness, dissolution and indulgence (Neptune).

At the same minute that Mercury stations retrograde, Venus (also out-of-bounds in rational Capricorn) forms an exact-to-the-minute sextile with centaur Nessus, an indicator of abusive behavior. At his worst, Nessus suggests rape, but when activated (or activating another planet or point), it can reveal abusers and transgressions and launch a healing journey.

In the context of all this unbridled truthfulness (“unbridled” being a particularly good word for centaurs, which are half-human, half-horse), I see the Venus-Nessus contact as especially formidable. We must speak truth to power, even when we’re trembling in our boots. And yet there are practical reasons to think through potential consequences.

If one thing is clear, it's that clarity will be hard to come by. Emotions and passions may overwhelm rational instincts. We might become so outraged by others' actions that we simply can't control our thoughts or outbursts. To repeat: This super-charged cycle can be a welcomed "excuse" or a serious admonition.

Mercury begins its backward retreat through Sag Monday evening, retreating from 22º40 to 6º42 before it moves forward again on December 15. It will have two more “showdowns” with retrograde Jupiter: while rx on December 4 and, for the final time, just after Christmas, as Jupiter also locks into an exact, and therefore tense, square with Saturn. Happy holidays, y’all!

In all seriousness, Mercury retrogrades are always a time to think before we speak and to reflect on any messages we put out in the world, whether verbal, written or acted out. The sign (and aspects) give us more information about what life lessons might be on tap.

Mercury in Sag is not thoughtful by nature, so this backflip is extra significant (especially given all the other aspects). How can we be more authentic and sincere without hurting anyone?

Or we might find ourselves asking, is the intention to “not hurt” in itself manipulative? How do we know what someone else can “handle”—or what (other side of the coin) might do them a world of good to actually hear?

We can never know the answers to those questions. Yet we can use them to inform and guide our behavior. Sometimes it’s absolutely worth “risking” an unpopular opinion if the status quo is unacceptable and if change seems likely—or at least possible.

Can our words move someone else’s needle? That is a conundrum that ethicists and would-be influencers have been grappling for a long, long time.

Depending what all this activates in your chart, you could make some significant shifts in your life direction or in certain relationships, including the most precious one you have—with your own conscience.