The Shadow of Mercury Retrograde

If you're a perfectionist, this one’s for you!

Tomorrow, April 7, 2025 Mercury stations direct in Pisces, after three weeks in retrograde (first in Aries, now in Pisces). Mercury goes direct! Most people know the spiel all too well of Mercury Retrograde. It happens about four times a year for about three weeks a pop. During these periods when the appearance of the planet moving backward in the sky frequently affects goings on down below, we are advised to do the following: be careful when you communicating, for misunderstandings are common; technology may be glitchy, so prepare for that possibility; edit your words before pressing “send,”and; take this time to slow down and think through your moves before forging ahead; the delay time might actual help you catch mistakes before they have larger repercussions.

Now that’s all fine and dandy (although I’m the first one to say that MR is not such a huge deal! Those of us born under MR sometimes have a Bizarro reaction to this astrological event. Also, I just don’t think the stakes with MR are that high).

And yet…

The lesser-discussed period known as “the shadow of Mercury Retrograde,” interests me a lot. The shadow period refers to the couple of weeks before and after Mercury Retrograde which may include some of the persnickety problems of the actual MR cycle.

What I have found is that the shadow period following MR, is a great time for folks with a perfectionist nature to try a little cognitive behavioral therapy of sorts on themselves.

Let’s say, you are the kind of person who has aspirations but often procrastinates before pursuing them. Perhaps you don’t want to make any kind of move out of fear of not being perfect or making a mistake.

These next two weeks would be a great time to practice the art of IMperfection. I have coached writers and edited them since the early aughts and there is one type of writer who I always felt special empathy for. The perfectionist! These were often writers whose day jobs were as editors, or experts in their field, and they psyched themselves OUT of finishing anything or submitting it because it wasn’t right yet. The same way there is a lot of buzz these days about “good enough” parenting I think writers who are TOO extreme in expecting perfection, should practice the art of living with mistakes and relish the true joy of putting their work out there. Finishing is its own reward!

Whether you’re a writer or not, the message is this:

Don’t miss out on the joy that may await if you decide to finally make a career move, move towards more love in your life, or literally move to another place if that’s what you desire.

There is no perfect time. Only now.

I’ve put together some advice for all the signs on how to navigate this shadow of Mercury Retrograde cycle over the next couple of weeks.

If you are looking for an astrology or tarot reading or my special Astrology-Based Counseling (ABC) please visit my website: www.jilldearman.com.