Last Updated on December 1, 2021 by astrologerbydefault

Mercury goes retrograde three times a year. In this year, 2021 he is going to be retrograde during these time periods,

• 30^th Jan – 21^st Feb – Aquarius – Capricorn
• 30^th May – 23^rd Jun – Gemini – Taurus
• 27^th Sep – 18^th Oct – Libra – Virgo

During retrogrades there are two possibilities. One is that the planet can go reverse in the same sign, ie not cross over backwards into the earlier sign. Or he will go backwards into the earlier sign. (There are 8 movements of the planets, post here). This year Mercury will be using the second option. In each of these three retrograde periods he is crossing backwards into the earlier sign, intensifying his results. When this happens you will be forced to redo things. There will be a lot of confusion in everything you do. 

Whatever Mercury stands for in your birth chart will see repeat, review, re-do, Reverse energy in action. eg this will mean you have to check out which house he is placed in and where do Gemini and Virgo sit in your birth chart. Then especially if you have your birth Moon in his signs, Gemini or Virgo, you will face the turbulence on your mental and emotional levels. And if your ascendant sign is the signs then your physical body will be more affected. And if your birth Moon is in the naksahtra linked to Mercury, Ashleysha, Jeyshtha or Revati then too you will feel his subtle effects during this period.  

Now let’s check out Mercury’s keywords to see how this Mercury retrograde affects you and everyone generally. 

Mercury is the mental processes, logic and rational thinking. So you might see yourself and the others around you thinking illogically and behaving irrationally. Mercury is also communication of all sorts. So expect to misunderstand and be misunderstood when he goes retrograde. If you are going to appear for exams or important interviews be careful, read/understand the questions asked before responding. Written and spoken words both can be twisted by the power of this Mercury, so try to be as clear as possible in your communications. If you intend to sign important contracts or legal papers, read everything again properly. During this time it will be difficult to concentrate, focus or think logically. So initiating new projects or activities can be an issue. In the office, your teammates may not cooperate with you. There might be delays in organising meetings, preparing presentations and important reports. 

On the family front, there might be issues with siblings, extended family and especially the maternal family members. There will be outbursts and arguments as everyone loses control over what they are thinking, understanding and speaking. Short journeys will be more tiring and these may not give you the results you had expected. Be careful while driving and performing other skilled activities where you use your hands. The choices available to you may not be appropriate and create more problems. You might take rash decisions and then hasty actions. Think before you speak and act, always. Finances will be affected, some of you might need to budget. Avoid taking risks in the financial markets during this time, invest in your tried and tested options. Medical issues can be triggered depending on the position of Mercury in your birth chart. Mercury controls memory, speech, skin, nerves etc, so if you get any issue of this sort during this period, do go to a doctor. (Post here)

For the remedy part of it, I have written on the Mantra and Daana in my earlier posts. Also on the behavioural aspects where you give this energy of Mercury a safe outlet. (Do use the index page or the search bar)

Now let’s look at these 3 time periods in a little more depth. This is a very brief analysis, you are supposed to think more on the keywords and come to your own conclusions.

30^th Jan – 21^st Feb – Aquarius – Capricorn

Mercury will move backwards in Dhanistha and Shravan nakshatras. Dhanistha is linked to Mars and ruled by the deity Vasu. Shravan is linked to the Moon and ruled by the deity Vishnu. Here the energies are all about Saturn who owns the two signs Aquarius and Capricorn and Mercury who is retrograde in them. In this time period both Saturn and Mercury are combust so Sun dominates everything. This period is quite confusing as Sun is combusting several planets all at once in Capricorn (post here). Plus Saturn in Shravan with this typical effects (post here).

So we have the keywords, let’s put them together like this. This time might see fake news, fake journalists and rumours. Shravan means ‘to listen’. There will be fake news about the activities of the government including the budget. Things will be misinterpreted by few people with vested interests. They will try to create faulty perceptions and create conflict with the popularly elected government, Sun, and the society at large, Saturn, using illogical thought processes and immature actions, Mercury. Do not trust anyone during this period. The economy might go down. Dhanishtha means the ‘wealthy one’. On a personal level we all must do some household budgeting. Do not put your money in risky things, you will lose it. COVID 19 vaccinations might show some side-effects. General public health will be overall affected. Moon rules nature, nurture, nutrition and need. Students will face a difficult time as this is the exam season. Rest and comfort will be affected. 

30^th May – 23^rd Jun – Gemini – Taurus

Here the planets in charge are Mercury and Venus. Mercury will go backwards from Mruga to Rohini nakshatras. Mruga is linked to Mars and ruled by the deity Soma. Rohini is linked to Moon and ruled by Brahmadev. Mercury will be combust during this time, transiting close to the Sun. Rahu will be influencing him, there is a total solar eclipse during this period affecting the northern parts of the Earth.

So let’s put the keywords together. Creative aspect of things will be used in an irrational manner. This time too, we will see fake news and rumours being peddled with the intention to discredit national governments. Mass movements may not mobilise so much but there will be some violence. Border disputes with neighbouring nations can flare up. Economy will take a hit and personal finances too.  The stock markets especially will show negative effects. Those in business must take care, smaller business might be wiped out. Agriculture too may be affected. Groups fighting for the environment will create problems for the society. Monsoon may show some irregularity. Cheats and frauds might happen. Suspicions will be on a high, loneliness too. Misunderstandings and arguments with partners, close family and friends will be more likely. Everyone will have very fixed opinions and will be vocal about them. Take care of your personal health especially the food you eat. Mental exhaustion will happen for most of us. Long term health issues, if any, will be triggered. Public health too will show some minor issues. Short journeys and business travel will show more delays and frustrations, so be prepared. Achieving goals during this time will be difficult. 

27^th Sep – 18^th Oct – Libra – Virgo

This time too the planets owning these signs are Mercury and Venus. Mercury will be transiting the Chitra and Hasta nakshatra. Chitra is linked to Mars and owned by Tvastra. Hasta is linked to Moon and ruled by Savitr. 

Let’s try to combine the keywords. In your team/group there will be a lack of trust and cooperation because there will be no clarity on the common Purpose. Wasting time, lethargy, sloth will increase. The work done will lack quality. You might be inclined to take risks as ego increases. There might be accidents and the physical body might suffer. You might engage in non-productive over-work so the mind will also get tired. Arguments stemming from criticism and aggression can happen. Tact and skills are lost for some time. There will be a tendency for selfishness and imbalance which will eventually cause frustration. At home, you might be required to do some costly repairs. In public again there will be a demonstration of breaking the laws. Everyone will be a little bit lonely. Negative karma will be more active during this period so best would be remain uninvolved and try to work in a positive manner. If you can do some spiritual activity to be more comfortable with yourself.

And did you notice, the Nakshatra-s involved this time?

Mercury is retrograde in all the 3 nakshatra-s linked to his father Moon. Just like any teenager, Mercury is not comfortable with the Moon, so expect all the things linked to the Moon in your birth chart to take a hit when Mercury goes retrograde in Rohini, Hasta and Shravan. Pay special attention to your health, nutrition, comfort and rest.

And the other three nakshatra involved are linked to Mars, Mruga, Chitra and Dhanishtha. So when Mercury goes retrograde in them you will see inexplicable increase in irritation, misdirected rage, everyone including you being quick to anger and less willing to listen. Try to think before you act always. 

Then the deities, are also the more powerful ones, Brahmadev, Savitr and Vishnu are the primal energies responsible for creation, illumination and preservation of structure and order of you and this universe. the other three Soma is nourishment, Tvashtra is skilled creativity and Vasu are the elemental energies which actually make you and your universe. One simple way of navigating these upcoming 2021 Mercury retrogrades is worshipping these and invoking their energies within you.