PLANET POWER
Mercury Retrograde
In this installment of “Planet Power,” we will again discuss the phenomenon known as Mercury Retrograde, briefly mentioned in our publication “When to Buy and When to Sell;” Combining Easy Indicators, Charts, and Financial Astrology (available on Amazon), as well as several blogs, including our initial Planet Power – Mercury Retrograde blog, dated 4-1-24.
As noted, each planet and entity in the universe/solar system has a rotational direction around the Sun, that moves in varying time lengths through the zodiac signs in the sky. Retrograde refers to the occasional time-frame when a planet slows to a stop (called stationing), and “appears” to move backward. The energies of the planet or entity will weaken, or act the opposite, during the retrograde, and can cause havoc in the sign or transit they are positioned in. The financial markets can also be affected by certain retrogrades, and usually are.
Mercury, one of the faster moving planets, known as The Messenger, generally experiences retrograde periods 2-3 times per calendar year, with the current period beginning this coming weekend, on Saturday, October 24, lasting through Friday, November 13. Over time, the Mercury retrograde has been well-known for increased volatility in the markets, with no clear trend direction, and some significant daily price swings. Investors are normally advised to steer clear of swing trading during these time frames, and only the very experienced should attempt to day trade. Long-term investments, however, are not usually highly affected over time, as the phenomenon is not known to reverse long-term trends. Remaining unemotional is the key, with a focus on following your disciplined system.
The previous three Mercury Retrogrades ended with the following results in the S&P 500…
June 29 – July 23, 2026, in Cancer season, another emotional water sign, when markets are usually calm, experienced no significant drop as the S&P 500 declined only 31 points in the 3-week period, however, July did not perform up to its standard of the 2nd best month of the year.
February 26 - March 20, 2026 in the sign of Pisces (an emotional water sign), during the initial stages of the Mid-East military conflict, resulted in a 403-point LOSS (5.8%). Pisces season, which is mysterious and uncertain, is usually very volatile in the equities markets on its own.
November 29 – Dec 17, 2025, in Sagittarius season, a drop of 128 points (almost 2%) in another historically seasonally strong period.
There are always other transits and aspects that intersect with these times frames, and on this occasion the most important is the Venus Retrograde (Oct 3 – Nov 14), which is another period of historical market restriction, which appeared to kick in last week. The Mid-term Elections are also upon us (Nov 3), which is yet another volatile period in the Presidential Cycle. It is suggested to keep stop-losses tight (out of the system of course), and share sizes smaller than normal until these events pass.
Be wary of the Mercury Retrograde! (The next one begins in early February, 2027).
As always, you can visit the website www.Astrophiliaastrology.com for a FREE birth chart, and book a personal reading, for you or your business, with experienced astrologer Ophilia Luna, at a very reasonable price.
***This information is not intended to be financial advice, nor any specific buy or sell recommendation, but rather a guide to assist the reader in some further understanding of movements in the sky, and how they can affect moods, behaviors, world events, and financial markets.
