Mercury in Retrograde

You may have heard about this curious astrological event called Mercury in Retrograde.

If you have heard about it, you've probably read about it being an astrological version of Murphy's Law: "What can go wrong, will go wrong." This isn't really anything to panic over, however. In just a moment, we'll see why that is so.

First of all, let's briefly explore what it means when a planet goes retrograde scientifically.

When a planet goes retrograde, it appears to be moving backward from the Earth's perspective, but in reality a planet never really goes backward.

Try to think of it this way. Imagine 2 cars in adjacent lanes on the highway. Imagine if you were in one of those cars and you pass the other car.

As you pass the car, it appears to be moving backward, but is it actually doing so? Of course not! It is simply an optical illusion.

The same idea is at work whenever you hear about a planet going retrograde.

Astrological Explanation

Okay, enough already with the technical side of things.

Let's see what Mercury in Retrograde implies from astrology's perspective.

Mercury in astrology rules all forms of communication regardless of whether we are talking about conversational communication in person and over the phone or email and old fashioned letters. It also rules over short trips and local travel.

Most importantly, Mercury rules the mind and the thinking process.

Mercury in Retrograde means that the thinking process is turned inward for the duration that Mercury in Retrograde is in effect.

The Mercury in retrograde period often brings energy in an individual's life in the form of unforeseen circumstances and events that are usually experienced as stressful and frustrating if we are rigid in our approach to life.

(There is an exception to these frustrating circumstances. People born with this planet in retrograde in their birth chart actually experience it as a very positive period.)

Most importantly, the zodiac sign that Mercury is in during the current retrograde period determines exactly what the mind is focusing upon.

For example, if Mercury is currently in the zodiac sign of Cancer then home, family, and issues with your personal foundations or roots come into focus.

This is very different, if Mercury were in Cancer's opposite sign of Capricorn. In this instance, the mind would be focused upon issues of career matters and social status.

• CONTRACTS

Let's start with contracts. If you plan on signing a contract, don't do it. Mercury rules over mental clarity, yet retrograde periods bring about mental vagueness, confusion, and misinformation. At the very least make sure you definitely know what you're getting into!

• BIG PURCHASES

If you're planning on making any big purchases, don't do it. Make yourself wait until Mercury stations direct. This means that retrograde motion is over and Mercury has finally stopped and is again moving forward. Wait until this period to make any large purchases. If you go ahead and make the purchase, the majority of the time you will find that you will only have regrets for one reason or another after this period is over.

• BRAND NEW PROJECTS

It's not really a time to start any new projects. Your goal should be to simply hold down the fort until this period passes. It's meant to be a time of review and honing your plans to a razor's edge. Once again, wait until after Mercury goes direct to get the ball rolling.

• COMMUNICATION

Most importantly, be sure that when you communicate with others, you make sure what you are saying is as clear as possible to the other person. If you're the one listening, be sure to slow down and really listen what the other person is actual saying. This will avoid a lot of unnecessary communication breakdowns and frustrating arguments.

• REPAIRS

Lastly, it's also not a time to get anything repaired because there is usually some unforeseen event that only complicates matters.

There's really no need to worry too much, however.

Mercury in Retrograde periods ask us to go with the flow of life, to be more flexible, and let go of having to have things go 'your' way all of the time.

The Mercury in Retrograde period can help all of us to be more aware and live in the moment by keeping us on our toes instead of grasping to our often rigid ways of expecting things to flow smoothly as if on some kind of autopilot.

Astrology is always concerned with the cyles of our lives.

In this cycle, go within and learn to trust that everything that is happening is for your greater good.

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