Retrograde Season is HERE: Your Guide to Mercury & Saturn's Cosmic Review
Get ready to lean into the "re-" words, because we're officially in a powerful Retrograde Season! Most folks fear Mercury Retrograde because it gets a bad rap but I'm here to tell you that these periods are truly a gift, a cosmic invitation for deep introspection and realignment.
Right now, we have two significant planets moving backward from our Earthly perspective: Mercury and Saturn. Understanding their influence can help you navigate the coming months with greater ease and intention.
What Are Retrogrades, Anyway?
Think of a retrograde as a planet appearing to move backward in the sky. Astrologically, this signifies a time when the energies associated with that planet turn inward. Instead of pushing forward, we're encouraged to reflect, recalibrate, rewire, reassess, realign, and reinvigorate. It's not about things going "wrong," but rather about slowing down to review and refine what's already in motion or what needs to be released.
♌️ Mercury Retrograde in Leo ♌️ (July 18 – August 11)
Mercury, the planet of communication, thought, travel, and technology, is currently retrograding through the vibrant and dramatic sign of Leo. Leo is a fixed fire sign, all about self-expression, creativity, passion, joy, and how we shine our unique light.
With Mercury retrograding here, we're being asked to:
Re-evaluate your creative projects and passions: Are you truly expressing yourself authentically? Is your creative outlet bringing you joy?
Review your need for recognition and validation: Where are you seeking external approval, and how can you cultivate more inner self-worth?
Reflect on your leadership style: How do you assert yourself? Are you leading from a place of genuine confidence or ego?
Revisit old conversations or creative endeavors: This can be a time for second chances or resolving past issues related to self-expression.
Expect potential miscommunications, tech glitches, or delays, especially around anything to do with public display, performance, or self-promotion. Patience is your superpower!
Saturn Retrograde in Aries & Pisces (July 12 – November 27)
Saturn, the great cosmic teacher, disciplinarian, and architect of our reality, is also currently retrograde. This is a longer, more profound journey of re-evaluation.
♈️ Saturn Retrograde in Aries ♈️ (July 12 – August 31): Saturn began its retrograde in fiery Aries. Aries is the sign of new beginnings, courage, identity, and raw initiation. During this phase, Saturn is asking us to:
Re-assess your personal boundaries and sense of self: Where have you been too impulsive or not taken enough personal responsibility?
Refine your independent pursuits: Are your actions truly aligned with your deepest values and long-term goals?
Review your relationship with authority, especially your inner authority: Are you trusting your own instincts and leadership?
♓️ Saturn Retrograde back into Pisces ♓️ (August 31 – November 27): As Saturn re-enters the mutable water sign of Pisces, the focus shifts to more internal and spiritual matters. Pisces rules intuition, compassion, spirituality, and dissolution. This period invites us to:
Re-examine your spiritual practices and beliefs: Are they truly supportive and grounding?
Re-evaluate your energetic boundaries: Where are you leaking energy or dissolving your sense of self for others?
Release old emotional baggage and limiting beliefs: This is a time for karmic clearing and deep healing.
Review your relationship with the collective and your sense of empathy: How do you balance compassion with self-preservation?
Saturn's retrograde is about building stronger, more sustainable foundations. It might feel like things are slowing down or you're hitting obstacles, but this is simply the universe giving you time to ensure your structures are solid.
How These Retrogrades Impact YOUR Rising Sign
Your Rising Sign (Ascendant) is crucial because it determines which astrological houses are activated by these planetary movements, revealing the specific life areas where you'll experience these themes most directly.
Find your Rising Sign below to see how this Retrograde Season will affect you:
♈️ Aries Rising: With Mercury retrograding in your 5th House, you'll be reflecting on your creative projects, passions, self-expression, and perhaps even past romantic connections or how you interact with children. It's a time to revisit what truly brings you joy and inspires your inner fire.
Saturn retrograding in your 1st House (then 12th) asks you to redefine your sense of self and release old patterns that no longer serve your individual path. This is a powerful time for self-reflection and re-evaluating your personal identity and how you present yourself to the world. What am I ready to release so I can be my most authentic, free self? Who am I becoming? What brings me joy?
♉️ Taurus Rising: With Mercury in your 4th House (home, family, roots), expect reflections on your domestic life and emotional foundations. This is a good time for you to refresh your home and create space for going inwards, maybe some inner child work or healing conversations with your family.
Saturn moving from your 12th House (hidden self, spiritual path) to your 11th House (friends, hopes, dreams) will bring deep introspection about your subconscious patterns and later, your collective aspirations. What subconscious pattern are you ready to finally look at & take responsibility for? What are your deepest desires & dreams? Claim them fully!
♊️ Gemini Rising: Mercury, your ruler, retrograding in your 3rd House (communication, learning, local community) means a significant focus on how you express yourself, your short journeys, and interactions. This is a great time for you to pay attention to any miscommunication in the way you express yourself. Take time to clear up any confusion you have in your interactions.
Saturn shifting from your 11th House (friendships, goals) to your 10th House (career, public image) challenges your long-term visions and later, your professional structures and reputation. What is your long term vision? What structures and support do you ned to implement to help you bring your vision to life?
♋️ Cancer Rising: Mercury retrograding your 2nd House (finances, values, self-worth) prompts a review of your resources and what truly matters to you. This is a time to reflect on how you spend your money & realign to what matters most to you (your values). How might you cultivate & tend to your self-worth?
Saturn moving from your 10th House (career, public status) to your 9th House (beliefs, higher education, travel) will have you re-evaluating your professional path and later, your philosophical outlook and sense of adventure. What needs to shift in your professional life? Do you like where you’re headed? What beliefs might you reprogram so you can go on more adventures? How can you enjoy life more?
♌️ Leo Rising: This is a truly profound period for you, as Mercury retrogrades in your 1st House (identity, self-expression). Expect a deep personal recalibration. What parts of your identity are you ready to shed? How do you want to be seen by the world? How do you see yourself?
Saturn shifting from your 9th House (beliefs, worldview) to your 8th House (shared resources, intimacy, transformation) challenges your philosophical approach to life and later, your most intimate connections and joint ventures. What is your realtionship like with vulnerability & power? How do you experience that in your relationships? What are you most ready to transform in your life? Where do you feel resistance?
♍️ Virgo Rising: Mercury, your ruler, retrograding in your 12th House (subconscious, hidden matters, spirituality) invites deep inner work, reflection, and releasing old patterns. This is a time for you to reatreat, rest & go inwards. Ask: what am I ready to release?
Saturn moving from your 8th House (shared resources, intimacy, transformation) to your 7th House (partnerships, relationships) will have you reassessing how you share power and later, the foundations of your significant relationships. What role are you playing in your relationship dynamics? Ask for what you need, be open to dialogue.
♎️ Libra Rising: Mercury in your 11th House (friendships, community, hopes, dreams) means a re-evaluation of your social circles and future aspirations. This is a wonderful time for you to reconnect to your community. Reach out to that friend you’ve been meaning to call.
Saturn shifting from your 7th House (partnerships, relationships) to your 6th House (daily routines, health, work) challenges your commitments in relationships and later, your habits, work-life balance, and well-being. What are you committed to? Which relationships need tending to? What routines best support your health & daily work?
♏️ Scorpio Rising: With Mercury in your 10th House (career, public image, life direction), your professional path and reputation are under review. This is a potent time for you to think about your goals & projects. How do you define success? Do you feel lit up by your path & where you’re headed?
Saturn moving from your 6th House (daily routines, health, work) to your 5th House (creativity, joy, children) brings a re-assessment of your daily structures and later, your creative expression, passions, and how you find joy. What daily routines best support your health and work? What type of expression brings you joy? How might you prioritize more play?
♐️ Sagittarius Rising: Mercury in your 9th House (beliefs, higher education, travel, worldview) encourages a re-evaluation of your philosophies and expand your horizons. This is a great time to review & rewrite your beliefs. You might also feel a pull to learn or reengage with past teachings or courses you’ve done. Give yourself more time if travelling.
Saturn shifting from your 5th House (creativity, joy, children) to your 4th House (home, family, emotional foundations) challenges your creative pursuits and later, the stability of your home and family life. Are you struggling to feel creative? How can you bring more play & pleasure into your life, family & home?
♑️ Capricorn Rising: Mercury in your 8th House (shared resources, intimacy, transformation, hidden matters) points to a deep dive into joint finances and your most profound connections. Time to reflect on intimacy, transformation & power. Are there any emotional or financial debts you wish to clear?
Saturn moving from your 4th House (home, family, roots) to your 3rd House (communication, learning, local environment) brings a re-assessment of your domestic life and later, your thought processes and daily interactions. Do you feel like your home needs a little sprucing up? What mindset or thought processes are you ready to shift?
♒️ Aquarius Rising: With Mercury in your 7th House (partnerships, relationships), expect reflections and re-evaluations in your significant one-on-one connections. Time to review your relationships and the dynamics at play. What is/isn’t working? How can you stay curious & open when relating to others?
Saturn shifting from your 3rd House (communication, learning, local environment) to your 2nd House (finances, values, self-worth) challenges how you communicate and learn, and later, the foundations of your material security and self-worth. When communication feels challenging, how do you navigate it? How to you cultivate self-worth? Have you been outsourcing your worth to the external? What shifts do you want to make to feel more secure in your life & finances?
♓️ Pisces Rising: Mercury in your 6th House means reviewing your daily routines, work habits, and health practices. How is your nervous system? What practices best support your focus & vitality? What is one small step you can take to feel more energized throughout your day? If there a habit you want to stop or start?
Saturn retrograding through your 2nd House then moving back into your 1st House brings a re-assessment of your values and resources, and then a profound personal journey of self-definition, maturity, and releasing old identities. This is your time to truly understand who you are becoming and how you build your sense of security. What do you value? Are you living by those values? Who do you need to become to live your best life?
Embracing the "Re-"
This Retrograde Season is an opportunity, not a punishment. Use this time to:
Slow down: Don't rush into new decisions or projects.
Review and revise: Look back at what you've been doing and how you've been operating.
Refine your intentions: Ensure your actions align with your true purpose.
Practice patience: With yourself, with others, and with any technical glitches!
Trust that the universe is guiding you towards greater alignment and authenticity. Embrace the introspection, and you'll emerge from this retrograde season with renewed clarity and strength.
Big Love,
Blythe
