On the 11th of January the planet Mercury, the Ruler of communication goes into retrograde for about three weeks – it's a time when Mercury appears to reverse its course and voyage through the cosmos (but in reality it is only a visual illusion created by earths orbit).A Mercury retrograde is an event that usually stirs a strong ominous sense within those that search the sky for omens and precognitions, though it may strike mortal fear into the hearts of some, others find it nothing more then a great opportunity to recall themselves from the ways of the world and lay low for a few weeks – on a personal level the last time there was a Mercury retrograde I experienced many a lost E-mail, letter, train ticket, misinterpreted voice mail and after a long night out a front door key (which annoyingly enough lead me on to finding myself stuck in a bathroom window; so one torn jeans, two lost shirt buttons and partially flushed shoe later I resolved myself to accepting that next time round it would probably be best to approach a retrograde Mercury with a plan, rather then with a hopeful spirt that I'd survive it without having to burn another one of my favourite pair of shoes!
(Though I must say I also laughed into the face of traditional common sense and bought a new computer, the world kept spinning on its axis though and myself and Blinky are still getting on just fine!)
With Mercury being both a namesake for a god-form messenger/ herald, a fun loving trickster and a psychological projection of the mediumistic ego it's no surprise then that when planet Mercury goes Retrograde, it can cause disruption, misunderstanding, poor communication, carelessness and the odd bit of personal Chaos.
Hopefully though with having a few tricks of our own this will be one transit that can be travelled through with minimum disruption:
Expect resistence
It's common during Mercury Retrograde for something that would normally take five or ten minutes to take a late-night-bed-craving hour to finish - all due to a simple oversight or slight malfunction. Part of getting through this time is accepting that things will be more difficult than usual and will require some extra effort to complete. By accepting and preparing for this extra work, you will save yourself a great deal of frustration.
Size matters (uh, er!)
It's a lot easier to overlook the small tiny things, but important details like logging out of your email account, keeping receipts, reminding yourself to collect the nephew at school, not forgetting about said nephew and almost wander home from the park alone (ok ok I had a bad day) need to be paid closer attention too, so focus on the little things because that's where Mercury retrograde seems to stir most!
Roll with the punches
Though it might feel like you're the universe's punching bag for the month, don't take it personally. If you begin talking to friends about what's been going on with you, you're sure to hear stories from them that bear all the hallmarks of Mercury's interference. We all too often take the burden of the world on ourselves, forgetting there is an entire planet involved. Sometimes it's really not about ourselves, times like this sharing is not only a way of caring but a way to release, renew and rejuvenate.
Lay low and turn inward
Unless it's a matter of necessity, its usually counselled that its best to avoid programming a new phone or buying a new computer while Mercury is in Retrograde. You may even want to avoid making big decisions, like asking the man you fancy the pants and all other clothing garments off out on a date, (only to find out his not only married, but with a little bit too much of an intense Gnome collecting hobby).
What Mercury Retrograde is best for is introspection and self review. Instead of making big decisions, think about them, explore, debate, ponder. Allow yourself this time to get past the hurdles and limits of resistance, as once Mercury goes direct you can move forward with your plans with a far more thought out and practical path of progression.
Laugh it off
As exasperating as Mercury Retrograde can be, there is an element of humour to it all. It can sometimes be refreshing to find the universe messing with our mail, our minds and our old time worn methods, as it can reminds us of our own fallibility and rigidness of though - the missed details and errors can be very revealing of our own slapstick buffoonery, that if we are open to it can still encourages us on and make us smile like a vodka sloshed chav, but if we let it!
A Review of Mercury Retrograde
Within the fold of the greater reality retrograde periods are not particularly uncommon. In fact each astrological planet retrogrades (except the Sun and Moon) and although it is a powerful astrological influence, Mercury is quite a small planet that travels at a relatively fast speed through the zodiac.
Despite being the closest planet in our solar system to the Sun, it is not always in the same sign as the Sun. This time, Mercury turns retrograde in Aquarius (the original; unorthodox and ecclectic), while the Sun is in Capricorn (ambition; loyalty, stern focus), but heads back into Capricorn just after the Sun strides into Aquarius.
Fated Events
As a rule, retrograde planets presage a period of seemingly inevitable or fated events that relate to their sphere of influence. They present us with a series of events over which we seem to have little or no conscious control, relating especially to the sign in which the retrogradation occurs. For example, Mercury retrograde in Aquarius presents us with quite a different sets of finer circumstances from those generated when it retrogrades into Capricorn.
A retrograde period is best seen as a cycle, beginning when the planet begins to slow to a halt before travelling backwards through the zodiac and ending when the planet returns to the point where it first paused. However, during the cycle, the planet's energy is most powerful (and more likely to generate critical events of universal importance) when the planet makes a station: appearing motionless in the sky.
These stationary periods occur near the beginning of the cycle (when the planet first halts as it prepares to move backwards) and midway through the cycle when the retrograde planet slows to a stop before moving forward again. The "direct station" (when the planet halts before moving forward again) is the most powerful and can be used for maximum benefit.
Many astrologers consider that the "Mercury Shadow" begins some three weeks before the actual retro station (when Mercury passes the point of direct station for the first time). This has some justification, but I am more inclined to think that the really noticeable peculiarities begin when Mercury slows significantly, a few days before the retro station. This period of "Mercury Shadow" extends to the Return date, some three weeks after the direct station. Bear this in mind, because experience shows that the effects of the retro period are still marked during the "shadow" phase. Some of the most characteristic annoyances often occur just after Mercury makes the direct station, while he is crawling forward before picking up speed.
What does Mercury affect?
In general, Mercury rules thinking and perception, processing and disseminating information and all means of communication, commerce, education and transportation. By extension, Mercury rules people who work in these areas, especially people who work with their minds or their wits: writers and orators, commentators and critics, gossips and spin doctors, teachers, travellers, tricksters and thieves.
Mercury retrograde gives rise to personal misunderstandings; flawed, disrupted, or delayed communications, negotiations and trade; glitches and breakdowns with phones, computers, cars, buses, and trains. And all of these problems usually arise because some crucial piece of information, or component, has gone astray or awry.
It is therefore not wise to make important decisions while Mercury is retrograde, since it is very likely that these decisions will be clouded by misinformation, poor communication and careless thinking. Mercury is all about mental clarity and the power of the mind, so when Mercury is retrograde these intellectual characteristics tend to be less acute than usual, as the critical faculties are dimmed. Make sure you pay attention to the small print!
Keys to the Kingdom
The key issue here is one of focus. Mercury's retro phase tends to bring unforeseen changes and blockages, but the aggravation and frustration that many of us experience during these periods is often due to our own inability to roll with the punches. Is this due to our ego-fixation? Mercury sets out to restructure our thinking processes and for many of us this is painful and frustrating. Moreover, these experiences reveal flaws in our internal organisation as well as our external planning, which can make us feel foolish and inadequate.
Mercury retrograde, like any cosmic aspect, affects people differently, depending on where it hits their personal charts. Some people actually prosper under a retro Mercury, especially if Mercury is retrograde but otherwise well-aspected in their birth charts It is also a time when matters begun under a previous retro period will come to fruition, or completion as the case may be. Firm decisions that have been previously made when Mercury is travelling normally through the zodiac may be implemented or finalised while Mercury is retrograde without too much worry, for experience shows that this can be done without undue problems arising.
Mercury Retrograde in Aquarius
When Mercury is retrograde, everyone's thinking is more introspective and we tend to think about issues and concerns which relate to the sign involved. With Mercury retrograde in Aquarius people with this sign prominent in their charts will be especially prone to such introspection. There is little choice but to reconsider our personal views and opinions about life. We receive, however, an opportunity to gain insight into our own ego.
Mercury retro in Aquarius generates an undue focus on originality and independence, love of intellectual freedom and the inclination to repudiate social conventions. Idealistic concepts however, will be under pressure during this Fixed Sign phase, as people will be inclined to be very stubborn and opinionated, while at the same time attempting to pressure others into sharing their attitudes. Unusual or unorthodox ideas will have difficulty melding with traditional positions, as people with new ideas will be unlikely to consider the feelings and opinions of the so-called "old wave", who will vigorously resist proposed changes.
The Full Moon in Cancer cusp of Leo occurs on January 11th, just hours before Mercury turns retrograde. This is a very emotional Full Moon, with much potential for conflict (head versus heart; family versus career etc) and breaks in communication (Mercury being stationary prior to turning).
This position can indicate nerve-related ailments and muscle cramping.
Mercury remains in Aquarius until January 21st, when he rolls back to Capricorn, creating havoc with political and administrative concerns, government, career and public positions, along with the desire to rise in life! He returns to Aquarius on February 14th, but read on for more on
Mercury's stay in Capricorn.
Mercury Retrograde in Capricorn
At 05:37 hrs UT on January 21, Mercury slips back into Capricorn, the sign of the Sea-Goat. Mercury retro in Capricorn suggests trouble through trying to turn knowledge and ideas to some practical advantage, and disruptions or communication breakdown in organisations, businesses and administration. People's imagination tends to be restricted to pragmatic and material considerations, with too much trumpeting of traditional ideas, or those that do not conflict with or threaten their own.
People suffer from a lack of humour, as they try to push through their own agendas and attempt to gain status by driving the right car and generally scoring points.
Mercury thankfully turns direct again at 27° 45' Capricorn on February 1, returning to Aquarius on February 14th – bring on the freedom :)
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