In a previous post, I covered the fact that the Mercury retrograde period is not all equal. 

The first part of Mercury retrograde is the Epimethean phase. After the conjunction with the Sun, the second part is known as the Promethean phase.

Roughly speaking, the first part is devoted to introspection. The second part is connected with developing plans to act based on the revelations from Mercury’s conjunction with the Sun. 

I have recently learned that the Epimethean and Promethean phases are also present when Mercury turns direct. And this is what I want to share with you today. 

Erin Sullivan’s book Retrograde Planets: Traversing the Inner Landscape will help me do so. 

This is the table of contents: 

1. Promethean Direct Phase of Mercury 
2. Epimethean Direct Phase of Mercury
3. How to Use the Phases of Mercury Direct

Let’s go. 

Promethean Direct Phase of Mercury 

The Promethean phase of Mercury direct begins when Mercury turns direct and ends with Mercury’s superior conjunction with the Sun. Superior conjunctions happen when Mercury is direct, while inferior conjunctions occur when Mercury is retrograde. 

Every time a planet is ready to turn direct after its retrograde phase, the air is filled with potential. When Mercury is about to go direct, the vibe is particularly tense. 

If you reflected when Mercury was retrograde, you already know what to do when this planet turns direct. The necessary changes in your life were shown to you in the first part of Mercury retrograde, the Epimethean phase. 

Now is the time to make those changes happen. 

As Prometheus did, when Mercury turns direct, you can fly towards your goals with little introspection. 

It is an ideal time to act instinctively, with minimal concern for the outcomes that will arise. 

This doesn’t mean you don’t have preferences or objectives you want to achieve. It means that you have to move forward with less expectation. Something will manifest, but you can’t anticipate what will work and what won’t work. Experimentation is key. 

The excitement of freedom is the motivator, not the achievements themselves. Your mind now has full control. Your powers of observation and action are heightened. 

Even though mental activity is at its peak, consequences are not always considered. The Promethean phase of Mercury direct is the ideal time to test the untried. You should act on the ideas that surfaced during the reflection period of the retrograde phase. 

This is an opportunity to embrace complete creative freedom. Take advantage of every possibility for growth and expansion in various aspects of your life: personally, professionally, and creatively. 

There’s a “full Mercury” moment at the end of this cycle. The superior conjunction of Mercury with the Sun is seen as a Full Moon. Now, the revelations of the inferior retrograde conjunction are actualized. 

During the superior conjunction, two outcomes are possible. On the one hand, you could be blinded by your will and ego, lacking rational guidance. Conversely, you can also be inspired by the pure genius of your actions.

The results manifested during the superior conjunction reflect the actions taken during the duration of the Promethean direct phase. And these actions were based on the contemplation that was engaged in during the preceding retrograde phase. 

The Promethean direct phase of Mercury is an experimental phase of action. It’s a time when you can defy convention. But, eventually, your ideas or actions must be tested against experience. 

The superior conjunction marks the end of the Promethean phase. Now, a new mode of direct Mercury begins as you move to the Epimethean phase.

Epimethean Direct Phase of Mercury

The Epimethean phase of Mercury direct begins with Mercury’s superior conjunction with the Sun. It ends when Mercury turns retrograde. The best use of this energy is for completing pending actions.  

The Epimethean phase begins at “full Mercury”, when this planet is direct and in conjunction with the Sun. 

A decay of the cycle begins immediately after. Mercury enters a period of introspection and social responsibility. 

Though engaged in forward motion, there is an impulse to reserve energy in the Epimethean phase of Mercury direct.  

To all outward appearances, nothing has changed. However, the unconscious starts preparing for the next Mercury retrograde. 

The maturity of projects, ideas, and actions has arrived. Mercury’s Epimethean direct phase offers the opportunity to reap the available rewards. Though still a forward-moving time, it is also a time for thoughtfulness. This phase requires more deliberation before initiation. 

The ego is no longer subordinate to erratic thoughts, as in the Promethean cycle. Instead, flashes of creativity are more likely to be measured against practicality. 

Your mind will be more pragmatic, even in experimental areas, and therefore, more rational, logical, and organized. As Sullivan explains, “Epimetheus presented mankind with limitations, but left us with hope.”

During the greatest eastern elongation, a month after the superior conjunction, the mind understands the progress made since Mercury turned direct. 

Since cycles are not stagnant, the period of reflection is around the corner. When Mercury turns retrograde again, much of what has manifested over the last couple of months could use some review. 

Often, when Mercury is retrograde, processes slow down or halt. This is not a punishment, but a natural part of cyclic evolution.

How to Use the Phases of Mercury Direct

Since I firmly believe in embodying astrology, I want to give you some practical advice about this astrological theory. 

Let’s use Mercury retrograde in Aries in 2025 as an example.  

The inferior conjunction between Mercury and the Sun occurred on the 24th of March. That initiated the Promethean retrograde phase of Mercury. 

Then, Mercury turned direct on the 7th of April. That event started the Promethean direct phase of Mercury. 

On May 30th, Mercury will meet again with the Sun. This is a superior conjunction because Mercury is direct. 

That’s when the revelations of the inferior conjunction, which occurred on March 24th, are actualized. 

If your revelation during Mercury retrograde was that you needed to socialize more, around a month or so after that insight you can evaluate your actions. Reflect on what you did or did not do considering that epiphany. 

To connect with the direct cycle of Mercury, you should have taken action from the 7th of April until the 30th of May. 

What has transpired? What did you achieve? What have you changed? What did you learn by experimenting with different projects? 

The Epimethean phase will occur during June. Action can continue, but it’s a more introverted period. 

Instead of starting new endeavors, you can reap the rewards of previous actions. You can also rest more and reflect on what you have done. 

The next Mercury retrograde starts on July 18th in the zodiac sign of Leo. And then, some new epiphanies of what needs to change will arise. 

Planets keep moving, but the quality of the movement is not regular. It has different characteristics. 

Remember this whenever you feel like you have to be “on” all the time. 

Instead of pushing forward day in and day out, connect with the cosmic flow. It will be better for you and your nervous system. 

I hope this text was helpful. If you need more guidance, subscribe to the weekly newsletter. 

Thank you for being here, and until next time!