From January 30th until February 20th, the planet Mercury will appear to go backwards in its orbit, as viewed from Earth. We refer to the astronomical optical illusion as the dreaded ‘Mercury retrograde’. This phenomenon happens three times a year.

All planets ‘go retrograde’. Each planetary retrograde can bring its own challenges to us.

We hear about Mercury retrograde more often because Mercury is the fastest moving planet, and therefore goes in and out of retrograde more often than the other planets.

The planet Mercury is aptly named for the Roman god, whose Greek counterpart is Hermes, and Egyptian corollary is Thoth.

We see this god pictured with winged feet to symbolize his swiftness. He is the messenger god, in mythology often tasked with bringing important news.

A statue of Mercury sits atop Grand Central Station in New York City, since Mercury is also the god of travelers. 

In modern astrology, the planet Mercury rules the Third House, which is the house of communication, transportation and local community.

An easy way to think about Mercury retrograde is this. Mercury is about connections. When Mercury is in retrograde, we need to be more careful about the connections around us. That means making sure that electronics are charged, backed up, and making their necessary electronic connections. That means making sure that our communications are received the way we intended them. That means double-checking our written work, our contracts and our computations. That means allowing extra time for travel in case of delays and missed connections.

Some people become so concerned about the effect of Mercury retrograde that they avoid any kind of communication, travel, or technical activities during the three weeks of Mercury retrograde three times a year.

That kind of vigilance is impractical for some, and impossible for others.

These concerns point out a larger misunderstanding that happens around astrology.

Our awareness of astrology should not generally cause us to avoid certain things and should not excuse certain behaviors. Rather, our understanding of astrology gives us a heads-up, and can help us avoid costly problems and mitigate unfortunate behaviors.

We will still breathe a sigh of relief when Mercury goes direct, of course. Some people can feel the energy of planetary retrogrades in a way that is palpable and unpleasant.

Mercury retrograde can provide positive assistance for certain things. Mercury retrograde asks us to take time to reflect, to review, and to revisit.

This is a great time to think about the stories we tell ourselves about our history and revise them in a way that brings healing.

Mercury retrograde allows us time to retreat, and time to heal. When we use Mercury retrograde as an enforced time of healing, its regrettable effects are somewhat mitigated, and its advantages become clear.

The StaarCorner

If you attended StaarCon, or if you buy a ticket now to watch the class replays, you can also take part in some online meetups in the StaarCon lounges. These are only open to StaarCon ticket holders.

February 3rd 8-9 pm EST (TONIGHT!): Christiana Gaudet will be in the StaarCon Bar and Coffee Shop. Bring your cards and get ready for some conversation, readings and impromptu tarot learning.

February 6th 1-2 pm EST: Benebell Wen will be in Benebell's Shamanic Tarot Talk lounge. This is the fireside chat she was hoping to have with everyone!

February 7th 10-11 am EST: Kim Danbert will be in Kim's Tarot and Bible Pairings lounge. She is ready to answer your questions about the bridge she has built between the Tarot and the Bible.

February 10th 8-9 pm EST: Mary Greer will be in the Tarot lounge! She is excited to connect and continue discussion with everyone!

February 13th 12-1 pm EST: Amie Mouser will be in the StaarCon Bar and Coffee Shop. Bring your questions and discussion about the Moon, Manifestation, Cartomancy, or Biz Dev.

Friday Recorded Sessions

Creating and Managing Energy in a Tarot Reading – Christiana Gaudet
How the Seventy-Eight Cards Behave in a Tarot Reading – Christiana Gaudet
Tarot Reading Techniques – Christiana Gaudet
Delivery is Everything – Christiana Gaudet
Closing and Setting Intentions – Christiana Gaudet

Saturday Recorded Sessions

All-Day Divining – Using the Tarot to Practice and Play to Create a Divine Work/Life Balance – V
Blissful and Deep Meditation – Brenda Elizabeth
The Magic of Connection: Using Divination to Transmute Unwanted Energy Instead of Running From It – Michelle Welch
Planetary Lithomancy: Reading Crystals in an Astrological Structure – Micki Klein
Styles of Tarot – Beverly Frable
Manifesting by the Light of the Moon – Amie Mouser
Astrology Basics for Tarot Readers – Mary Ellen Collins
Have Faith in How Far You Will Go with Tarot – Fast Horse
A Journey as the Companion of Fools – Ciro Marchetti
Ciro Answers Your Questions – Ciro Marchetti
Shamanism and the Tarot – Benebell Wen
Dancing with Angels – The Art of Oracle “Word Tango” – Kevin Lee
Considerando Las Cartas de la Corte como el “Cómo” en Cada Situación – Maria Luisa Salazar
Mix and Match: Playing with Two Decks – Jaymi Elford
Bindrunes: Rune Sigils for Today – John Hijatt
The Great Epic: The Mahabarata Oracle – Gita Rash

Sunday Recorded Sessions

Tarot Pairings: Tarot and the Bible – Kim Danbert
8 Keys to Practicing Tarot for Spiritual Awakening – Frank Kwiatkowski
Considering the Court Cards as the “How” in Every Situation – Maria Luisa Salazar
Online Oracle Offerings – Jenna Matlin
Psychic Development – Brenda Elizabeth
Composing Your Tarot Soundtrack – Marion Kirk
Kipper Cards – A Situational Gem in Your Tarot Read – Toni Puhle
Life Art and Story Medicine –  Serena Fox
Mediumship with Tarot – Madame Zee
Lenormand Catchy Phrases – Anne Walner
Diving Deep into the Hanged Man – Mary K Greer
Mantra Managed – Kristine Gorman
Tarot Spreads and Simple Rituals to Connect with the Witch’s Year – Rose Robinson
Pathworking: A Qabalistic Tarot Meditation for 14 Temperance – David Zunker
How to Use Tarot to Identify and Work with Destructive Family Patterns – Nancy Hendrickson
Healing & Transformation with EMT & Tarot – Mitchell Osborn
Exorcisms, Demonology, and Their Relevance in Contemporary Times – Benebell Wen

Join Us for Tarot Class on Zoom

On Thursday, February 18, 7 to 9 pm EST, join me on Zoom for a special tarot class,
Tarot Readings for Personalities and Relationships.

How do tarot cards speak of people, their personalities and their relationships? How can we use tarot to better understand ourselves and each other?

In this class you will learn how to give helpful relationship readings and couples readings, and how to determine the nature and needs of an individual simply by understanding the cards that appear for them.

This special Valentine’s Day inspired tarot class is appropriate for readers of all levels of experience.

Class fee is $37.50. Register now!

A Tarot Spread for Mercury Retrograde

Here is a tarot spread to help you use the energy of Mercury retrograde productively and avoid some of its pitfalls.

Arrange the cards any way that feel right.

Card 1: What can I do to avoid miscommunication during this Mercury retrograde?

Card 2: What is something that no longer serves me that I can release during this Mercury retrograde?

Card 3: What is something from my past that I have misunderstood?

Card 4: What is a new way to process this thing from my past?

The Week in Review

Check out this week’s blogpost, How Tarot Brings Us Hope.

I have a lot of great free meetups and workshops coming up this month on my YouTube channel. Make sure you check out the StaarCast channel as well, it’s our podcast about all things StaarCon!

I do six live broadcasts a week on Facebook. Four are on my Facebook business page, and two on the StaarCon page.

From Around the Web

StaarCon headliner Benebell Wen has a PDF download for astrology beginners to help you learn about your Moon sign.

The Tarot Lady has your February astrological forecasts.

Everything you need to know about Mercury retrograde is on Tarot.com.

Cards for Your Consideration

During a Mercury retrograde, the most obvious card for us to consider is Major Arcana 1, the Magician. The Magician is ruled by the planet Mercury and is associated with communication and connections.

We often think of keywords for the Magician such as tools, skills, abilities and power. The Magician is associated with learning and knowledge. The Magician is also associated with trickster energy.

This is a way of helping us understand Mercury retrograde. Imagine the Magician as a trickster, making our connections and communications more difficult.

Anything, or anyone, that can make something smooth also has the ability to do the opposite.

When direct and well-aspected, Mercury, and the Magician, help us with smooth communications and easy connections. When poorly aspected, the opposite may be true.

Events and Tours

Connecticut and Tampa Tours Resume Fall 2021

Tarot Topics Newsletter
Volume 4 Issue 5
February 3, 2021