We’ve gotten pretty used to Mercury’s forward and backward dance through the skies. After all, this little planet does the retrograde tango roughly three times a year, and we’ve come to accept the quirks as little shmoos rather than huge discords. However, the upcoming Mercury retrograde in Virgo is accompanied by several other astrological events, and you know what they say: forewarned is forearmed!

　　Related Article: 3 Times Mercury Retrograde Actually Changed Elections

　　

　　

An Early Influence

First, let’s look at the retrograde, which will start on August 30, 2016 and continue through until the September 22. However, because of the way in which Mercury backtracks through the skies, you might start to feel the influence of this from August 22, and it could last through to September 26.

　　The retrograde starts when Mercury is in the final degrees of Virgo and travels back through to the middle of Virgo, so while most Virgos are going to feel this transit pretty strongly, it’s the Virgos born between the September 5 – 20 who are likely to be most affected. Because the retrograde starts at 29 degrees Virgo, if any of you have planets at that degree in any zodiac sign, the retrograde could be a catalyst for something to happen, so pay attention to your chart! This is always a critical degree, regardless of the sign, and any transits that affect it can trigger the onset of something major in your life.

　　Mercury is the ruler of Virgo, so this is going to be a doubly strong influence for all those born under that sign — and for those whose natal birth chart is Virgo-heavy. In mythology, Mercury was the messenger; consequently, the planet influences all things concerning communication, travel, and literature. The god Mercury was sometimes a bit of a trickster, too, so when the planet goes retrograde, things can quickly turn into disarray.

　　

Stick to What You Know

Mercury retrogrades aren’t a great time to start anything new. Rather they’re a time for all the ‘re’ words: reflection, remorse, retrospection, review, rethink, recant, react, reconnect, reacquaint, readjust … you get the idea. It’s also a time when you need to err on the side of caution. It’s not a great period for making commitments and if you do have to engage in contracts and obligations during this time, be positive you aren’t acting on impulse, and that you get second opinions on any papers that you have to sign. Double check all meetings and travel plans, and never hesitate to ask someone to repeat something or even put it in writing, to avoid confusion later on.

　　The retrograde phase gives you a chance to reflect on why you feel the way you do towards situations and people, and with it being in Virgo, it’s a great time for paying attention to the minutiae. Just don’t get so bogged down with details that you fail to see the bigger picture. You could find yourself becoming impatient and single-minded about things during this transit, so it may benefit you to wait until October before committing yourself to something important.

　　Related Article: Zodiac Love Compatibility: How Do Virgos Measure Up?

　　

　　

Other Aspects at Play

Now, as if all of this wasn’t enough, there’s a hard aspect involving Jupiter, Neptune, and Saturn, with Mercury and the Sun playing interference. This can lead to your energies being pulled in two different ways. It’s a time for researching your information, and doing as much fact-finding as you can, rather than starting something completely different. Delay any decisions until things are clearer, because you really could feel overwhelmed at this point. A solar eclipse in Virgo on the 1st of September and a lunar eclipse in Pisces (the sign opposite Virgo, so it will be mirroring the energy) on the 16th of September add to the intensity of the planetary punch.

　　Because this period is going to be so volatile, it’s best to focus not on what might go wrong, but on how you can ensure things are going to go right. Practice grounding yourself. Remember to meditate. Above all, try not to take things to heart during this time. Even if this retrograde won’t be particularly strong for you, it’s possible that someone else is going through a nightmare with it. Be patient and understanding. Your relationships will thank you come October!