Mercury
Retrograde
It
happens three times a year, Mercury goes retrograde
and changes all our plans.
Mercury
is the planet that most people seem concerned about
when thinking of retrogrades, perhaps it is the one
they most notice the effects of. Mercury does rule
communications, communication devices such as telephones
and computers, transportation and our daily routine
so a retrograde phase can cause havoc in our otherwise
orderly worlds. The affect of a Mercury retrograde
can cause these things to malfunction or for instructions
to be misinterpreted so things go awry and for people
to change their minds.
Those
with some knowledge of astrology know that the affects
of a Mercury retrograde occur a little before and
after the dates given. The reason for this is that
Mercury will retrograde and travel back to a certain
degree before it stations again and goes forward.
It then has to make up ground until it reaches the
original degree before it went retrograde. Here is
an example
29
Jan 2008 Mercury goes retrograde at 23 Aquarius
20 Feb 2008 Mercury goes direct at 8 Aquarius
Mercury
first touches 8 Aquarius, its point of direct motion,
on 13 January 2008
Mercury will not be back at 23 Aquarius, its points
of retrograde motion, until 10 March 2008
So,
although the official retrograde period of Mercury
may, in this instance, be 29 January 2008 to 20 February
2008 the affect will actually last, one way or another,
from 13 January 2008 right through to 10 March 2008
What
usually happens is that things may go wrong and it
takes a while before they begin to go right again.
Not every day of a Mercury retrograde will be a nightmare,
your own personal transits will make some days better
than others. Most people say you should back up your
computer before a retrograde, some find they have
no problems with their computer and so don't bother.
What is likely to go awry for you will depend upon
the affairs of your third and sixth houses, the house
being transited by Mercury and the houses it rules
in your natal chart. In order to figure what any retrograde
mercury period will mean to you check the degrees
at which it starts and ends and then check to see
what planets Mercury will make transiting aspects
to during its retrograde phase. Also check the house
position of transiting Mercury too.
It
is wise to observe a few rules during a Mercury retrograde.
If you are making plans it is likely that the plans
will change. If they are important plans it is possible
that you do not have all the information you will
need to make an informed decision. Some say it is
not wise to purchase motor vehicles and communications
equipment under a Mercury retrograde. I do observe
this because sometimes it affects decision making
where the product chosen can turn out to be unsuitable.
On the other hand if equipment malfunctions then you
may have no choice but to purchase a new item under
a retrograde phase and if this is the case you will
have to take your chances that the malfunction was
the event and not the new purchase. I do find sometimes
I have trouble with the old and new item but it is
all fixable. If you have otherwise good aspects on
the day the risks of a poor purchase will be minimised.
Do not sign contracts if you can avoid it, you may
not have all the facts or you may change your mind.
If you must sign contracts ask as many questions as
you can and look for more information. Be aware that
instructions and communications can be misinterpreted
so take extra time to make sure everyone understands
each other. Allow for little delays here and there,
they are bound to happen because Mercury rules our
daily plans.
What
is a Mercury Retrograde good for? Sometimes when we
are forced to go back over old ground we get a chance
to clean things up and make them better. Mercury retrograde
is a great time to redo the filing system or clean
out the cupboards. If things were lost they can just
turn up again. If previous negotiations or plans have
not been going well a retrograde period can actually
help to fix them by going back over old ground and
bringing new issues to light. Mercury retrograde can
encourage us to re-evaluate all kinds of things in
our daily life including our health practices.
Here
are the Mercury retrograde dates for 2008 and 2009
| |
|
|
| Mercury
Shadow |
11
May 08 |
12
Gemini |
| Mercury
Retrograde |
27
May 08 |
21
Gemini |
| Mercury
Direct |
20
Jun 08 |
12
Gemini |
| Mercury
Shadow |
9 Jul 08 |
21
Gemini |
| |
|
|
| Mercury
Shadow |
4
Sep 08 |
7
Libra |
| Mercury
Retrograde |
25
Sep 08 |
22
Libra |
| Mercury
Direct |
16
Oct 08 |
7
Libra |
| Mercury
Shadow |
31
Oct 08 |
22
Libra |
| |
|
|
| Mercury
Shadow |
26
Dec 08 |
21
Capricorn |
| Mercury
Retrograde |
12
Jan 09 |
7
Aquarius |
| Mercury
Direct |
2
Feb 09 |
21
Capricorn |
| Mercury
Shadow |
21
Feb 09 |
7
Aquarius |
| |
|
|
| Mercury
Shadow |
23
Apr 09 |
22
Taurus |
| Mercury
Retrograde |
8
May 09 |
1
Gemini |
| Mercury
Direct |
1
Jun 09 |
22
Taurus |
| Mercury
Shadow |
16
Jun 09 |
1
Gemini |
| |
|
|
| Mercury
Shadow |
18
Aug 09 |
21
Virgo |
| Mercury
Retrograde |
8
Sep 09 |
6
Libra |
| Mercury
Direct |
30
Sep 09 |
21
Virgo |
| Mercury
Shadow |
15
Oct 09 |
6
Libra |
| |
|
|
| Mercury
Shadow |
10
Dec 09 |
5
Capricorn |
| Mercury
Retrograde |
27
Dec 09 |
21
Capricorn |
| Mercury
Direct |
16
Jan 10 |
5
Capricorn |
| Mercury
Shadow |
4
Feb 10 |
21
Capricorn |
| |
|
|
| Mercury
Shadow |
4
Apr 10 |
2
Taurus |
| Mercury
Retrograde |
19
Apr 10 |
12
Taurus |
| Mercury
Direct |
12
May 10 |
2
Taurus |
| Mercury
Shadow |
29
May 10 |
12
Taurus |
| |
|
|
| Mercury
Shadow |
1
Aug 10 |
5
Virgo |
| Mercury
Retrograde |
21
Aug 10 |
19
Virgo |
| Mercury
Direct |
13
Sep 10 |
5
Virgo |
| Mercury
Shadow |
27
Sep 10 |
19
Virgo |
| |
|
|
| Mercury
Shadow |
22
Nov 10 |
19
Sag |
| Mercury
Retrograde |
11
Dec 10 |
5
Cap |
| Mercury
Direct |
31
Dec 10 |
19
Sag |
| Mercury
Shadow |
18
Jan 11 |
5
Cap |
ade
