This phase is called stationing, and it describes the time the direct planet (Mercury, in this case) needs to recover the distance that it retreated while in retrograde. “It’s a bit like retracing steps,” the twins add, and it can last for weeks and even months. We see this “shadow” with the moon phases as well. You might feel the full moon’s heightened, semi-chaotic energy in the days leading up to it and after it, for example. They note that over the next few days, you may be unable to form a decent sentence, send an email to the wrong person, have a hard time making decisions, and even flake on promises. That said, your best bet is to take things slowly and abide by the general standard protocols for Mercury retrograde, like proofreading, backing up your technology, and potentially even avoiding travel. Oh, and don’t text your ex! As the twins note, this shadow period, or “retroshade,” as they call it, “can be a powerful time for integrating lessons that we learned during the retrograde fog.” Just remember, they add, “we may still be integrating the wisdom and [feel] unable to rush ahead with clarity.”
