Mercury now turns direct at 8° Capricorn 08′.

Mercury is retrograde from December 29th, 2022, at 24° Aquarius 21′, until January 18, 2023, at 8° Capricorn 08′.

Mercury Retrograde Cycle from December 29, 2022 to January 18, 2023:

• December 12, 2022, Mercury enters the Retrograde Zone at 8° Capricorn 08′
• December 29, 2022, Mercury stations and turns retrograde at 24° Capricorn 21′
• January 18, 2023, Mercury stations and turns direct at 8° Capricorn 08′
• February 7, 2023, Mercury leaves the Retrograde Zone at 24° Capricorn 21′

The year 2022’s final retrograde Mercury cycle began near the end of the year–on December 29th, 2022, and lasted until now, January 18th, 2023. Mercury’s shadow period began on December 12th, 2022, and ends on February 7th, 2023. Note that the shadow period begins before Mercury turns retrograde–when Mercury first passes over the degree that Mercury later returns to in retrograde motion. The shadow period ends when Mercury again passes over the degree at which it first turned retrograde. The shadow period is different than Mercury’s storm period in astrology, which refers to the period when Mercury is moving especially slowly.

Mercury’s post-retrograde shadow is generally better for new long-term endeavors than the pre-retrogrades shadow. For new enterprises in the pre-retrograde shadow, the venture’s secondary progressed Mercury will turn direction (retrograde) in the coming years, which may not be ideal.

Also note that things are most wonky on and around the days of the stations whether Mercury is turning retrograde OR direct (the start and end dates of the retrograde cycle) as the shifts occur, after which we grow more accustomed to the energy.

Mercury is retrograde approximately three times a year for approximately three weeks each time. As such, retrograde Mercury is a fairly common occurrence (Mercury is retrograde approximately 18% of the time).

As the planet of communication, Mercury retrograde tends to breed a certain level of confusion. Mercury rules our “lower” mind–how we perceive and interpret information that we receive from our environment, and how we relay that information to others. Mercury has rulership over such things as speaking, negotiating, buying and selling, listening, formal contracts, documents, travel, the mail and shipping, and so forth. All of these areas of life are affected when Mercury is functioning in a sluggish state. Decision-making is challenged during Mercury retrograde.

Needless to say, it is not advised to sign contracts, engage in important decision-making, or launch a new business. Delays and challenges are more probable with Mercury retrograde. It’s a time when being careless with money, our personal information, or paperwork can be costly.

While Mercury is retrograde, we may be rethinking a previous opinion or idea. Looking to the signs and houses it transits can give clues as to what we may be reconsidering. In Capricorn this time, we’re reviewing career matters, business, reputation, status, and connections with those in authority.

Now that Mercury is direct, slowly but surely, information unclogs, and we can move on. Ideally, while Mercury was retrograde, we had the chance to catch up, refine details, and change our minds if needed.