There could be confusion about your image, your reputation and how others see you during this cycle. It may also be the time to make some important, if superficial, changes. For example, now is a good time to rethink your image. Even if you’re happy with who you are, you might want to ask yourself if you’re getting your message across to others. Perhaps it’s time to think about a revamp?
When Mercury is retrograde here, ask if you’re still wearing the same protective mask or persona that you did when you were a child. If so, does it still fit or should you update your presentation?
Mercury retrograde in your sign can also be a time when life seems to hit one snag after another. Others find it harder than usual to understand what you’re trying to say to them, and you’ll find it impossible to write anything without at least one grammatical or spelling mistake per line. This is a small price to pay for a period when you get to re-evaluate your old life, the chance to decide whether you’re happy with what you’ve left behind and where you’re going.
This is a super intense Mercury retrograde cycle because your 1st House is such a personal part of your chart and all about how you come across in the world. When Mercury is retrograde here, it’s very much a time to think about the image you present to the world – and make changes to it if necessary.
You can totally change your image during this cycle – or at least decide how you want to change. However, it’s probably not a good idea to drastically cut your hair or donate most your existing wardrobe to charity until after the retrograde. This really is a cycle where you can make big life changes, in particular doing something that you know you should have done earlier.
You may find yourself tripping over words or unable to express yourself in a way you’d like. Hasty words can do a lot of damage; it’s not only what you say: watch your body language too as you may be giving off mixed signals.
Is there really any point having the same old arguments again and again? Although you do get a second shot at getting things right, constantly going over old ground will just wear you down to a frazzle.
Be careful not to judge too quickly – you may not have all the facts at your disposal yet. Or you might not truly understand what’s going on. It might test your temper and patience but holding back a while will make life much easier in the long run.
Top three affirmations: These affirmations are designed to help you make the most of Mercury retrograde in your 1st House. Choose one and repeat it all day, then choose another and repeat that, then choose the third and go with that. Repeat often.
I am a work in progress!
Patience is a virtue.
I look before I leap.
Essential oil: Angelica
Goddess: Athena, the warrior goddess and protector
Archangel: Ariel, the outdoorsy angel
After the retrograde, Mercury resumes normal communication transmission and moves forwards again, meaning things should be less complicated from here on in – for a while at least. If Mercury was retrograding in your 1st House, your entire life has potentially been subject to madness and mayhem as Mercury played his funny tricks all over you. If life has been chaotic beyond belief of late, Mercury was very likely the cause. As Mercury changes direction you can expect (or at least allow for the possibility of) one last blast of mayhem. After that, it’s smoother sailing. There will be fewer crossed wires, less drama and much, much less to-ing and fro-ing.
