A bronze statue of Mercury the deity against a soft yellow background.

This is a post I’ve been meaning to write for some time. Given that Mercury stations retrograde so many times during the year, it’s much more likely that you have a natal Mercury retrograde than any other retrograde planet. Oftentimes, when folks first get into astrology and begin understanding how affecting transit Mercury retrogrades can be, they worry about seeing this placement in the natal chart. I’ve heard of folks feeling like they’re doomed to deal with tech issues their whole life. BUT BOO, THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

I actually think having this in the natal chart can point to some very empathic folks with a deeply rich inner world. So, I thought I’d share 5 ways this placement can manifest in folks’ charts and some of the ways to further develop these traits for those with this placement.

Please keep in mind, as someone with a natal Mercury Rx and who is neurodiverse, some of the ways I approach conversations may feel a bit cold or detached. Some of the guidance may work for you, some of it may not. It’s all influenced by my time in therapy, my personal research in learning to communicate in a nonviolent way (Shoutout to Trauma-Informed NVC), and hella unlearning.

Folks with this placement often understand their own reactivity

This placement often leads to folks being reserved with how they communicate early in life. Not necessarily shy, they often require more time to process what they wish to communicate before they do it. Folks with a retrograde Mercury in the natal chart tend to analyze what they are going to say and why they are going to say it before it actually comes out. While this doesn’t mean that they won’t ever be reactive, when they are reactive they tend to know they’re being this way. This could be because of the pause folks have before thinking something and actually saying it with this placement, or because they are so well-versed in understanding naturally that they may not be perceived in the way they intend that they often avoid reacting in place of responding.

Of course, this isn't to say that those with natal Mercury direct tend to be more reactive. It’s more that folks with natal Mercury Rx are often forced to take time to figure out what they are communicating instead of figuring it out as they communicate.

For those who wish to embrace working with their natal Mercury Retrograde: allow space for more breaths especially in moments of conflict, and with those give you the space to do this. This might look like listening to the other party, pausing, counting to three, and then saying, “What I heard is this… Did I understand you correctly?” This will, in a way, train the individual to become comfortable with taking more time to process.

2. Folks with this placement tend to be very purposeful communicators.

Much like those with direct Mercury in Capricorn, this placement doesn’t tend to communicate without having a goal in mind. In addition, as I mentioned above, having a natal Mercury Retrograde often points to being misunderstood early in life, or continuously having folks assume other intentions instead of taking your language at face value. Because of this, natal Mercury Retrograde folks learn very young that they have to communicate in a very purposeful and focused way. They don’t generally prefer to discuss things in a roundabout way, and they tend to be more direct in communication than folks with a natal direct Mercury.

To develop purposeful communication within those who have natal Mercury retrograde, they can think about what is the most essential “points” of a conversation not only will this help cut back on the energy spent trying to communicate the “right” way, it will also help them avoid accidentally wounding others. This might look like restating “these are my boundaries” in an argument, or it could look like leading a conversation with a message of care when speaking to a family member they haven’t spoken with in a while. I’m going to continuously refer to arguments mostly because I feel like that is the arena where we most struggle to communicate. So, in an argument, this might look like saying “I want to share why I was hurt so you can understand why I am upset,” instead of reacting or instead of getting caught in a passive-aggressive argument.

A wall with three rotary and corded pay-phones.

3. folks with this placement tend to be highly creative thinkers

I feel like folks forget just how much of a badass planet Mercury in regards to creativity. Mercury is the planet of communication, but it’s also the planet of perception, it’s a trickster, the master magician, and so much more! Folks with a natal Mercury Retrograde spend so much time playing with their own thought process that these folks can be hella creative. Sometimes, folks with this placement don’t recognize their own creativity because they're so accustomed to using their creative energy in playing out possible scenarios, replaying past conversations, or just chatting with themselves 😭. In the same vein, many folks with this placement can be more inclined to be clairaudient, too!

I find this placement very often in poets and writers. For those with this natal placement, trying to work with their inner voice more via an artistic medium can be very healing and therapeutic. It often has the added benefit of helping folks fully distinguish their “voice” from that of their spirit guides or ancestors.

For those with natal Mercury retrograde, taking time to experiment with different artistic mediums can help ease the inner monologue and help them find their form of channeling. Taking time to study with other artists can also be one way of learning to break out of their shells while not being forced to just socialize for those who struggle to communicate and connect with others.

4. A greater connection to reflection as a tool of processing and empathy

People with this placement are very accustomed to living life in their heads, even more so depending on the sign. If the Mercury is in a positive polarity sign then they may be more inclined to process externally a bit but there will still be that semi-loud inner voice. Sometimes the voice manifests as our actual inner voice but some folks have this play out in the form of images, songs, downloads, feelings, etc. Either way, folks are accustomed to reflecting internally before processing and expressing their thoughts. This can help them develop a deep sense of empathy at a young age, especially if in aspect to Saturn.

If Mercury is in aspect to a node or in aspect to Jupiter and in a sign or at a degree that can point to mental health issues, it is beneficial for these folks to find a way to take the internal processing and put it down and out in another container or space whether this is in therapy or a supportive group environment (those with Air sign Mercury), using art as a form of catharsis (Fire sign Mercuries may enjoy horror for processing for example), spiritual connection via prayer (Water sign Mercury) and writing or art (Earth signs).

A landscape shot of a canyon maybe in Arizona.

5. They are very familiar with the way the mind works

When folks with this placement take the time to get to know their own thoughts, they can very often be labeled as hella “self-aware.” These folks can be naturally adept at psychology, working as healers in some capacity like counselors, curanderes who offer platicas, tarot readers, and other careers of a similar vein. These folks can easily read between the lines, hold multiple perspectives at once, and offer insight that others might not have thought of. With that being said, I do think it is necessary for folks with this placement and who work in these professions to set strong energetic boundaries and recognize that they cannot use this skill in all areas of their life. For example, just because you know your parter is feeling or thinking one thing, doesn’t mean you should tell them that, rather, you should offer the space for them to feel comfortable speaking to you. It’s definitely a lesson I’ve had to learn as neurodiverse and spiritual channel with a natal Mercury Rx.

A good practice for this is to pause and to share what you’re feeling with the other person in the form of a question, “I feel like there might be something on your mind, do you want to talk about anything.” And then ACCEPT whatever the other person decides.

A pair of hands holding dirt above the dirt and grass filled ground.

Journaling Prompts to explore your mercury

Describe how you would ideally communicate in a supportive setting. (Using your hands, being loud and fast, taking many breaths, going on tangents, etc).
How often do I find myself “reading between the lines” when people communicate with me?
Do I act from a place of assumption or do I base my choices in a conversation on what the person is actually saying and doing?
What art form feels most supportive for my Mercury placement?
For fire and air Mercury signs, how do you allow yourself to externally process your thoughts and feelings?
For earth and water Mercury signs, what tools do you use to allow yourself to explore your emotions and feelings in a quiet and personal feeling?

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