This astrology lesson highlights Mercury in Retrograde in the novel, Midlife Mirages.
Transiting Mercury in Retrograde
Transiting Mercury in retrograde is a well-known astrological event often associated with communication breakdowns, technological glitches, and delays. During this period, it’s common to experience misunderstandings, lost messages, and issues with travel and technology. The retrograde motion signifies a time to slow down, reflect, and reassess rather than push forward aggressively. It’s a period when revisiting past issues can bring resolution and clarity.
The Disrupted Communication and Disturbing Discovery
In Chapter 6, Lauren and Christabel’s journey home is interrupted by a series of disconcerting events, aligning perfectly with the chaos of Mercury in retrograde. Their phones, previously dead, suddenly come back to life as they leave a strange energy field, and they discover numerous missed calls and messages. Lauren’s concern deepens as she listens to her mother’s frantic voicemails, revealing the ripple effects of miscommunication and anxiety.
Lauren’s attempt to contact her daughter, Sonnet, fails, heightening her worry. She learns from Sonnet’s boss that her daughter abruptly left work, leaving her phone behind, an action completely out of character for Sonnet. The unsettling news that Sonnet got into a car with an older man, witnessed by her friend Paulina, intensifies Lauren’s fear. The mysterious circumstances surrounding Sonnet’s disappearance underscore the influence of Mercury in retrograde, where nothing is clear, and misunderstandings are rampant.
As Lauren grapples with her escalating panic and the inability to reach Sonnet, the retrograde’s theme of revisiting past traumas emerges. The chapter touches on Sonnet’s traumatic past and how it shapes her current behavior and vulnerabilities. This period of reflection and reassessment forces Lauren to confront these unresolved issues, even as she struggles to find her daughter.