Mercury Retrograde
It’s that dreaded planetary aspect — the one that has us running to take cover, for we know that the next 21 days will be sheer chaos! Mercury in retrograde is responsible for breakdowns in communications, delays, and mechanical problems. It affects travel, business, and if at any time you are to experience computer or cell phone problems — it is now! It isn’t wise during this period to purchase a new car, a major appliance, or to sign contracts. Mercury retrograde is the universal “Murphy’s Law” — anything that can go wrong, will.
For those of you not familiar with Mercury Retrograde, let me explain.
The word retrograde means ‘moving or tending backwards.’ When a planet is in retrograde it doesn’t really travel backwards — it just appears to be traveling in reverse. Each planet goes through a retrograde period and each brings a different effect and lasts different lengths of time.
Mercury, named after the wing-footed Roman God of commerce and communication, governs our thought processes and all forms of contact. Mercury goes retrograde 3–4 times each year and each retrograde lasts approximately 21 days.
I remember when I first began on the radio. Morning host Steve Possel would complain about equipment breaking down or phone lines failing. I’d explain that we were ‘in a retrograde’, and for a long time he thought I was crazy — until he saw for himself that during this aspect there would indeed be major malfunctions with the phones and equipment. He noticed too that problems at home with pipes and motors would always accompany the retrograde.
So what can we do when the planets dictate our movements? Learn what the retrogrades are beneficial for — then get yourself a lunar calendar to keep track of coming retrogrades so you will be prepared.
Mercury retrograde is useful for:
Finishing up old projects
Meditation
Editing the book, songs, or articles you’ve been writing
House cleaning — that means your emotional house as well!
Getting rid of all that you don’t need
Cleaning out your desk or closets
Listening to music and painting
Catching up on sleep