Retrograde Mercury (Buddha).
For some reason it seemed to me that since retrograde Mercury has become a meme, the topic must be well understood. But I now see that precisely because there is too much information, the true nature of vakra gati has been buried under layers of assumptions and guesswork.
I will start with the basics: in Jyotish, retrograde motion strengthens a planet — the opposite of Western astrology. This strengthening is not easy to understand. A retrograde planet creates situations that require repetition, because once retrogradation ends, the planet will have to pass through that section of the zodiac again. On the surface, the first thing that comes to mind is the appearance of an error that will later need to be corrected. In my book I show how time influences processes, and retrograde motion should be viewed as movement backward in time. But there is also a positive side: if you enjoyed something, you naturally want to experience it again. The unknown frightens us, but how can one gain information about something except through repetition? Therefore, retrogradation is connected with past experience or the gaining of new experience in the present — in other words, with learning. By repeating something many times, we learn.
Mercury (Buddha), in the very Sanskrit meaning of its name, contains the principle of wisdom and understanding, which is why in Jyotish it governs intellect — the strength of the mind, or more precisely, the quality of the mind. Mercury is neutral by nature, and I also explore the meaning of neutrality in my book. This very neutrality, in the context of a wave, is not zero. Mercury amplifies the influence of the planet it is next to, whether benefic or malefic. A wicked genius can cause great harm with a strong intellect, while a wise and righteous person can change the world.
Retrograde Mercury creates situations that require reflection — situations that demand looking at something from a different angle to gain new experience or apply accumulated knowledge.
For this reason, things initiated during retrograde Mercury rarely succeed on the first attempt. They will have to be redone in the future, or new details will emerge that significantly affect current processes and require refinement.
Retrograde Mercury is not danger or misfortune — it is a tool of improvement. Sometimes an error can be very costly, and during retrograde Mercury, errors tend to reveal themselves. But they do so not to destroy, but to help minimize damage in the future.