Mercury stations direct 3 times in 2021 beginning a new Synodic Cycle of Mercury in Air Signs:
Jan 30 (26 Aquarius 29) to Feb 20 (11 Aquarius 01) Mercury in Aquarius
May 29 (24 Gemini 43)to Jun 22 (16 Gemini 07)
Sep 26 (25 Libra 28) to Oct 18 (10 Libra 07)
Mercury Stations Direct three times in 2022 beginning a new Synodic Cyle of Mercury in Earth Signs:
Jan 14 (10 Aquarius 20) to Feb 03 (24 Capricorn 22)
May 10 (04 Gemini 51 )to Jun 03 (26 Taurus 05)
Sep 09 (08 Libra 55) to Oct 02 (24 Virgo 11)
An insightful look at Mercury Communication Challenges when What You Heard Isn’t What I Meant!
Station Points are Still Points
The retrograde station of any planet represents one of two exact Still Points and since Mercury is usually the fastest moving planet, the Mercury Still Point is often more dramatically felt. The Still Point is a nexus of all possibilities where everything is shifting and changing via our perception. See image below from t.s. Elliot on the Still Point
Whatever sign Mercury is in when it stations direct is the archetypal energy of the collective mind for about 120 days until the next Mercury direct.
Walking Backward
It may seem strange to talk about retrograde Mercury walking back across the sky when its stopping and stationing direct to begin its forward movement but somehow it also seems perfect to remember the gifts walking back offers.
When Retrograde – Mercury walks backward through the sky. When Mercury stations direct it stops, shifts direction and begins walking forward once again. The intent of Mercury walking backward is to get a deeper insight or look at something in a new way. It turns out physically walking backward is surprisingly beneficial as shown in studies measuring the benefits for healthy adults and children. Walking backward improves balance and works muscles and joints differently from walking forward.
These studies concluded that adding a little backward walking to your routine is good for everyone who can do it. Backward walking increases cardiovascular and calorie-burning benefits in a shorter amount of time – even if it is at a slower pace and it improves short-term memory. It also has proven to be therapeutic in all kinds of rehabilitation including knee replacement, stroke, and Parkinson’s disease.
.
Mental benefits include:
- increased mind body coordination and body awareness
- creates a pattern interrupt for the brain to navigate
- mood enhancer
- can help improve sleep cycles
- sharpens memory, thinking and cognitive skills
- can help improve vision
- gets you out of your comfort zone
Body benefits include:
- Improves balance and coordination
- strengthening lesser-used leg muscles
- helps rehabilitate knee injuries
- improves walking technique and form
- burns more calories than forward walking
- strengthens bones and muscles
- boosts energy levels
- elevates body’s metabolism
The benefits of walking backward are amazing and Mercury retrograde reminds taking a walk back (ideally a daily practice) serves many functions including pausing to shift direction.
.
Safety First
Find a safe place – on the sidewalk or other safe track on a street or paved path where you don’t need to worry about walking into someone or something. If you are indoors find a place where you won’t run into furniture or walls etc. A minute or two of walking backward interspersed with walking forward provides all the benefits of backward walking.
.
TS Eliots’ poem on the Still Point is a wonderful description of the station point of any planet.