Did Someone Say…Mercury Petrograde?

All the Mercury Petrograde Dates You Need

It’s not your imagination. Three times a year, when the planet Mercury (which rules pets) appears to stand still, and even go backwards, your animal friend does move in mysterious ways. In fact, a survey of 2000 people in Britain just confirmed that one in three of you, have seen evidence.

When Itchpet.com got in touch to talk about this phenomenon (when dogs hit the water bottle and cats sit in the sink) I could not resist. After all, ever since the 17th century, astrologers have taught that Mercury rules small animals.

When Cats and Dogs go Barking Mad

The great thing about astrology is, it can give you all the correct dates for Mercury Retrograde, including the shadow, at the start and end. I filed this in September 2017 to give you (and Fido) plenty of warning about March 2020 and beyond. Check here.

Mercury rules walking and talking. What else do we do with our dogs, but walk them and talk to them? It makes sense that when Mercury Retrograde is here, it brings out the strangest behaviour in dogs. To a lesser extent, cats are also walkers and talkers.

If your cat is fascinated by your computer, laptop, tablet, phone, printer or fax machine though – now you know why. Felines are Mercury-ruled, and this planet also governs all communication.

The Alfie Cat Factor

If you’ve wandered into any bookshop recently, or across Amazon, you will have come across Alfie the cat. He’s a phenomenon. 

My friend Rachel Wells, creator of the Sunday Times bestselling Alfie series, is a feline expert as well as a wonderful author. Alfie fans of the cult series agree that she can see inside a cat’s mind, better than most vets.

When Rachel asked me to prepare some Catstrology predictions for her latest book, A Friend Called Alfie (HarperCollins), we worked from notes about the human zodiac first, then looked at how the cats of our acquaintance matched up.

You can read Catstrology here and see how your feline’s zodiac sign lines up with the astrology facts.

Adoption and Birth Dates for Cats and Dogs

In astrology, we use dates for weddings and even company incorporation. We also use them for adopted cats and dogs from shelters. You may not know when your new friend in the homeless compound was born, but the day you collect (and take home) is the day that many astrologers use to find out the zodiac sign.

Of course, if you are lucky enough to have a time, place and date of birth for your cat or dog, you’ll be ahead. You can always check charts for your companion free at Alois Treindl’s site, astro.com.

Animal Astrology

When Allen and Unwin asked me to write a chapter about Animal Astrology in Funny Bones, an anthology for children, I couldn’t resist. The book is out now and features everyone from Hannah Gadsby to Kathy Lette. All funny people! Find the book here.

If you’re really interested in animal astrology, I’d love it if you bought a copy, as all royalties go to such a good cause. Funny Bones is the latest in a fundraising charity series for War Child which we began in 2000, and follows on from the Girls’ Night In (HarperCollins) and Kids’ Night In (Puffin) books, which I’ve edited with author friends around the world.

Animal Horoscopes

As The Guardian announced recently, I’m adding animal horoscopes – cat and dog astrology – to the regular predictions you read here. If you’re a Premium Member you can unlock this new feature from April 2020. You’re welcome.

Analysing Your Animal

Sun signs, or zodiac signs, show the public face of people. They reveal how we are on Twitter, or in front of a camera, or in the spotlight. Your sun sign literally sheds light on your most unmissable qualities.

It makes sense that cats and dogs will parade the traits of their sun sign or zodiac sign.

I work in Melbourne with a Leo and Capricorn dog, some of the time. The Leo dog thinks she is in a production of Princess and the Pea and likes to sit right on top of all the pillows, cushions, sheets and blankets we pile up for the laundry.

It drives the Capricorn dog crazy. But let’s talk about Taurus dogs, just in case you know an animal who was born or adopted from late April through late May. What happens to them on Mercury Petrograde? And how about Scorpio cats, Pisces dogs and Aquarius dogs? These are just four special cases I will single out for you. (You can give me more on Twitter @jessicacadams #MercuryPetrograde

Taurus Dogs Who Think It’s Christmas

Taurus dogs love hats. They like eating them, but they also like wearing them. On Mercury Petrograde, though, they may start wearing their December Santa look in Spring. Someone tell them.

Upskirting Scorpio Cats

Scorpio dogs are bottom-sniffers and Scorpio cats are upskirters. Their behaviour becomes more extreme on Mercury Petrograde, so if you’re in a kilt or skirt, beware the curse of the wet nose.

Pisces Dogs Go Off the Planet

Of all the 12 dog signs, Pisces is the most likely to be caught wearing your sunglasses. On Mercury Retrograde, they go completely off the planet. Normal vision will return. Promise.

Aquarius Dogs Hit the (Water) Bottle

Aquarius is the sign of the water-bearer. If you have a dog born from late January through late February, you’ll already know about their water tap/bowl/hose fixation. On Mercury Petrograde? Worse.

What You Told Me About Mercury Petrograde

Daily Mail readers were quick to respond about the Mercury Petrograde phenomenon (Article found here). In fact, hundreds of you related to what one man posted: “It’s true. All of it. The neighbour’s hamster is a Taurus. Stubborn? Don’t get me started. They have a goldfish too. Pisces, definitely.”

I had quite a few Metro readers who also confirmed it on Twitter, after the story ran there. It does seem that about 32% of pet owners believe Mercury Retrograde causes their pets to act strangely.

(Just a note there, though. Planets don’t cause any animal to do anything! It’s all part of a mysterious thing called synchronicity).

Barking at Nothing? Eating Mud?

What we also picked up from readers at The Sun and The Mirror, was that Mercury Petrograde could be behind all sorts of unusual behaviour. In humans we know it can be quite serious – airline chaos – which we’re seeing in February and March 2020.

In animals, though, it can result in dogs barking at nothing or cats eating mud.

The Sun Article: KITTEN IN THE STARS – Psychic astrologer reads pet horoscopes and warns of ‘weird’ behaviour can be found here.

The Mirror Article: Astrologer announces secret behind strange behaviour of millions of British pets can be found here.

Thanks also to all you BBC radio listeners who left messages about your own observations of Mercury Petrograde.

What many of you posted was – normally odd behaviour became more extreme on this astrology cycle. So, if you have a Leo cat who is always looking at himself in the mirror, he’ll start pushing you out of the way when you’re getting dressed in the morning on Mercury Petrograde.

Fussy Virgo dogs who reject the food you dish out, become even more picky on Mercury Petrograde.

Your New Cat and Dog Horoscopes

We’ve had some brilliant astrologers turning their attention to animals before now, and my colleague Victor Olliver turned it into an amusing art-form in his astrology features for The Lady.

What I’m launching in April is rather different, but I hope it will help you understand your cat or dog better.

On a more serious note, if your animal friend has particular issues, it can really help to have a birthday on hand, so I can look up the chart. I’ll happily take your questions, with Boo and Kipper by my side.

Below is the extract from The Guardian, just in case you’ve missed it. I think it proves that not only is animal astrology gaining interest – we also think our animals are part of the family.

Now read on.

Horoscopes for Pets

“It was only a matter of time, I suppose. Astrologer Jessica Adams has now started doing horoscopes for pets. The Taurus cat is apparently “a dribbler who loves its breakfast and will lick empty food bowls in the hope of finding the last scrap”.

Which pretty much describes every cat I’ve ever come across, though it’s possible that every cat I know was born between April 21st and May 21st.

Meanwhile sociable Libra dogs “like to perform duets with other dogs.” Really? I must have missed that karaoke night. Still, any port in a storm and all that, for me and Herbert Hound have had a falling out. Or rather I have had a falling out with him; he’s totally unaware there’s a problem.

When my wife was away on holiday recently, Herbert couldn’t get enough of me. He snuggled up to me in bed and was utterly devoted as we watched TV together. But ever since my wife came home, he has pretty much given me the cold shoulder, only bothering to be nice to me if Jill is out or doing something else.

I’ve tried reminding him that without me, he would have been utterly miserable but he’s completely unmoved. So, in desperation I’ve checked his horoscope. Born on 17th September, Herbert is a Virgo which means “he loves routines and will stand on you five minutes before the alarm”.

There is a caveat, though. Mercury is now retrograde – me neither – so Adams reckons his timings will be an hour out. So, I had better get used to being ignored an hour earlier.”

How Mercury Rules Pets

Virgo and its natural house of the horoscope, the Sixth House, have long ruled pets. In fact, William Lilly used to find missing animals using just this astrological clue. If you are curious about Lilly, the classic book, Horary Astrology – Plain and Simple by Anthony Louis – is here.

Image Credits:
Featured Image by Danae Callister on Unsplash
Laptop Cat Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
Taurus Dog Photo by Duffy Brook on Unsplash
Scorpio Cat by Etienne Boulanger on Unsplash
Pisces Dog by Alan King on Unsplash
Aquarius Dog by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash
Mercury Petrograde black and white dog by Mitchell Luo on Unsplash
Mercury Petrograde black and white cat by Taylor Rogers on Unsplash