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"Why
Look to the Stars?
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Every three months approximately four times a year, the planet Mercury, otherwise known as the Messenger of the Gods, goes into retrograde motion for a period of three weeks. This happens like clockwork. The planet itself doesn’t actually go backwards, it just appears that way to us on Earth in relation to our position to the Sun and Mercury. Mercury actually revolves around the Sun about four times in one Earth year, which is why it looks like its going backwards when it turns counterclockwise around the sun from our view. This influence sets off a different kind of electro-magnetic and gravitational pull on our planet. So what does this all mean to us Astro-logically? Cosmically speaking, for our planet, this is a period of reorganization, regrouping and reviewing situations, events and things as it prepares us for the next "season" which happens roughly four times a year, usually towards the end or beginning of a season of the year. This is why Mercury is ‘mutable’ and rules over the mutable signs of Gemini and Virgo. Many astrologers tend to call this phase a time when "Murphy’s Law" is in effect. Actually, it’s real purpose represents a time to "fix" things and whatever needs fixing usually rears its ugly head during this phase, and of course the opposite holds true as well, "if it ain’t broke, then don’t fix it!" Mercury influences all types of communications, machinery, transportation, the actual workings and strategies of the military and paper work. Usually these areas get hit the hardest during a Mercury Retrograde. Remember Murphy’s Law? So why does this happen? Well, because Mercury influences our minds and actual thought processes, and when this planet is in retrograde, it tends to slow down the mental process, which often thwarts normal everyday mundane tasks and communications. People in general are not thinking too clearly, this fuzziness has been known to cause a myriad of problems from accidents, misunderstandings, miscommunications and errors to actual relationship and mechanical breakdowns, endings and deceit. The best way to get around this phase is firstly to be aware that it is happening. Awareness helps one not to take things so personally. This is healing in and of itself. Secondly, to hold off on planning important events during this period, to avoid the unavoidable "screw-ups". Thirdly, to try to focus only on "reviewing" and "going over" projects that you have previously been involved in. Fourth, clean up loose ends. This is an ideal time to do investigative research, study and take care of business that you’ve procrastinated while Mercury was going direct. This is my favorite opportunity to this phase, to get through my pile of papers, and finish up lots of little annoying and time-consuming tasks I‘ve been avoiding and procrastinating. This is an excellent time to clean closets, draws and perhaps delve deeply into a subject you previously have not had the time or concentration to study. Mercury retrograde favors deep, penetrating analysis. The kind of thinking you need to do that requires time, thought and a lot of pondering. This is why most people born with Mercury retrograde are actually born with this hidden gift. It is not a curse to be born with Mercury retrograde as many astrologers have said, let’s just say it’s a mixed blessing. True, people born with Mercury retrograde may tend to take more time to make decisions, but this is a thoughtful lot. They tend to really think on things, constantly taking the time to process, meditate and lean towards deeper thought more often and by nature, than those born with Mercury direct, who get the chance to dive into this "soul searching" process about four times a year. The trick is knowing how to handle it. An Astrology survey done in the late 1980s, revealed that a large group of members of MENZA (the high I.Q. group) are born with Mercury in retrograde. This explains why they are capable of solving brainteasers, because they tend toward retentive memories and thorough and painstaking thought processes, when applied. [Note: there’s a difference between long-term and short-term memories, many possess the long-term (retentive) one, but flake out on the short-term]. Another survey, done quite informally by myself, concluded that a majority of Artists and Psychics also possessed the natal Mercury Retrograde. This also explains why these souls always seem to be far away somewhere, preoccupied, and often spaced out. They all possess incredible imaginations, which makes this a creative and impressionable bunch. However, according to karmic astrology, the lessons of Mercury Retrograde are communication and effective ways of expressing themselves. It is common for this group to have a tendency to swing from missing important details or majoring on minors. Perhaps this is why, when they do focus their concentration into a matter, it is done thoroughly, as it is often challenging for them to prioritize their mental processes, they can often get lost in the details, sometimes to their benefit, and other times to their detriment. These tendencies manifest on our planet when Mercury goes retrograde: People often make "issues" out of "tissues" and wonder why they are so stressed out. Remember that Mercury is the "messenger", and oftentimes, the "issue" has nothing to do with the "tissue" but something much deeper, like the loss of control. Mercury retrograde is famous for bringing out the "Petty Tyrant" in people, which needs resolution on a more psycho-spiritual level, certainly not limited to the ‘issue’ at hand. This is why this phase also favors all kinds of therapy, as it encourages the uncovering of repressed and denied parts of ourselves. Sometimes, what many feel are insignificant details, are often important loopholes, which tend to either get overlooked totally or over-exaggerated. Remember that old saying, "the Devil’s in the details"? It’s as if we go through this "adjustment" in focus, concentration and of course, communications, in order to balance out our direction. The new saying then becomes, "God is in the details." This makes the retrograde period ‘ideal’ for taking care of details that you might have procrastinated previously, and/or taking the time to do research into a subject you might not have had the time to focus on before. Because Mercury acts as the Messenger of the gods and other planetary forces, it is totally dependent on each individual’s chart, the aspects it makes to them personally as the sign Mercury is retrograding through will color the retrograde experience differently each time. Now, back to the collective consciousness: During this "silly" season, we need to be reminded of "Murphy’s Law", you know, ‘whatever could possibly go wrong, just might.’ As a whole, we all get to go through about four crash courses a year on how to fix miscommunications, and learn conscious and clear ways of expressing ourselves. Sometimes you need to laugh at the ridiculous scenarios that often form during this influence. It’s likened to a comedy of errors. It is very important, not only to be aware of this influence, but also to maintain a sense of humor, otherwise you could go a bit nutty. Business and day to day routines usually gets thrown off balance, but one never quite knows where the "monkey wrench" will come from. The message the universe is trying to give us, is to regroup, reorganize and redo something before we can go forward with our progress, this usually comes to us loud and clear during the retrograde. For this reason, it is important not to kill the messenger! This phase can be utilized for positive results, and it is wise to re-arrange your schedule and life accordingly. In addition, Mercury retrograde always has its share of rescheduling, so hang loose and remain flexible with the unexpected "hiccups" that this cycle inevitably brings. It certainly is the "Cosmic Schemer’s" way of keeping us not only "on our toes" but "faithful" and ever so watchful of life’s unexpected bonuses and delays. Many times these unexpected hiccups work out in your favor, like being upgraded without any extra charge, which is cool, or not being able to make something in time, only to find out later it was for a very good reason. Remember, during the retrograde, "God’s delays are not necessarily God’s denials", it often means you need to complete one thing first before you can have something else, or you’re being protected from something that gets revealed later. In either case, exercising faith in the divine order of things always works all things together for good. Another good rule of thumb is to avoid signing important "long term" legally binding and contractual agreements during this phase because it usually needs readjusting later due to missing details or errors. Sometimes the agreement gets broken, proving to be a false start, or something gets delayed further which can be extremely frustrating and upsetting if one has put their hopes into something only to find their efforts fizzle into futility. The exception to this is when you’re ending something, or getting rid of something. For example, you’ve finally sold that old jalopy sitting in your driveway for months on end, then it seems to be timely during the retrograde, as you’re probably relieved to be free of such baggage, however you may not get the price you hoped for on the car, but just to be out of it and proud of it is a welcome relief. The retrograde period usually favors endings and terminations, as so often people are being re-directed into new arenas of experience. In addition, major purchases should also be avoided during the retrograde, as this has proven to be a problem in that more cars become "lemons" bought during a retrograde, appliances have broken down, mechanical devices either need to be returned or repaired and real estate property proves to be a "money pit", i.e., houses have unforeseen plumbing, electrical, or termite problems, etc. and land bought also is prone to "Murphy’s law" or natural disasters. All this can be avoided by simply waiting and planning in advance to avoid this phase for important transactions. Strategy can be derived through Astro-Logical insight. For the Mercury-ruled souls, i.e., Gemini Sun or Rising, Virgo Sun or Rising, Mercury Rising or 1st house Mercury ~ of all people, this group needs to watch this phase, work with it and flow with it, because in astrology, when your ruling planet goes retrograde, you can’t go forward with anything new until your ruling planet goes direct. Listen to the messages that the Messenger is sending you, it will guide you to what you’re supposed to do. Try not to take it so personally, you can rise above it and use it to your advantage, but usually not without a fair amount of patience. | ||||||||||||
