Mercury Retrograde
Mercury retrograde is an apparent reversal of geocentric zodiac longitude bounded by two stations. Scope is explicit.
Overview
Signed motion is −0°08′/day, so Mercury is retrograde in this interval. This is the worked result for Mercury Retrograde; it remains conditional and does not turn geometry or timing into a verdict. The comparison method is explicit: Find both stations from signed longitude speed, record sign re-entries, and calculate only declared contacts to natal Mercury or other targets.
At a glance
- Topic
- Mercury Retrograde
- Content family
- dated transit geometry
- Case inputs
- ☿ 12°10′ at t0 and 12°02′ at t0+24h in geocentric ecliptic longitude
- Measured finding
- signed motion is −0°08′/day, so Mercury is retrograde in this interval
- OpenFate support
- knowledge reference only
- Use boundary
- conditional · source-audited · non-fated
Definition and exact scope
Mercury retrograde is an apparent reversal of geocentric zodiac longitude bounded by two stations.
Calculation or decision rule
Find both stations from signed longitude speed, record sign re-entries, and calculate only declared contacts to natal Mercury or other targets. The receipt retains the chosen input record, reference frame, tolerance, and version, then identifies the first step where an independent recalculation diverges.
Worked case and illustrative near miss
☿ 12°10′ at t0 and 12°02′ at t0+24h in geocentric ecliptic longitude. signed motion is −0°08′/day, so Mercury is retrograde in this interval.
Illustrative near miss; does not qualify: Calling a missed message proof of retrograde without calculating signed motion for the relevant date.
School, model, and context variants
A Mercury retrograde interval does not cause every delay, device failure, or misunderstanding.
Product, safety, and verification boundary
OpenFate publishes Mercury Retrograde as an auditable knowledge reference and does not claim a dedicated calculator or generated result. Mercury Retrograde preserves contrary observations and uncertainty. It cannot replace consent, professional help, location research, or a person’s account.
Sources and editorial basis
- NCGR-PAA Level II CurriculumNCGR-PAA Level II Curriculum, Part 2 sections “Dynamic Chart Interpretation”, “Transits”, “Progressions”, and synthesis requirements, pp. 3–5A professional astrology curriculum covering astronomy, chart calculation, house systems, dignity, rulership, transits, progressions, and synthesis; it records practice standards rather than empirical proof.
- Swiss Ephemeris Programming InterfaceSwiss Ephemeris Programming Interface 2.10, sections 3 “Planetary Positions”, 7 “Pheno”, 8 “Date and time conversion”, 14 “House cusp calculation”, and 16 “Sidereal time”The programming reference used to verify flags, return fields, house-system codes, coordinate conventions, errors, and polar fallbacks.
- Organization for Professional Astrology: Code of EthicsOPA Code of Ethics §1(c) Accurate Data, §1(j) Fatalistic Statements and client autonomy, and §2(f) Scope of Practice and referralAn independent practitioner code covering accurate data, confidentiality, client welfare, informed practice, competence, and referral boundaries.