by Jan Spiller
THE PHYSICAL PHENOMENA
Mercury Retrograde cycles occur approximately 3 times a
year, 3-1/2 weeks each time. From the point of view of the
Earth, it appears that the planet Mercury is going “backwards” in
its orbit.
What is physically occurring is that Mercury is “slowing
down” in its elliptical orbit around the Sun, and because
the Earth is continuing to spin on its axis, Mercury “appears” to
be going backward.
When this astronomical phenomena occurs, there are predictable,
marked effects in our experience on Planet Earth.
HOW IT AFFECTS US
In astrology, the planet Mercury rules
the conscious, logical mind. When the planet Mercury goes backwards,
our thinking starts to go “backwards” - into a reflective
mode.
During the time period
of this phenomena, we all experience certain psychological effects
in common: inattention, confusion, reversals of decision and then
getting back on the "right track" again. We experience
unexpected, emotionally-charged miscommunications with others and
the necessity of repeating actions more than once to get them "right".
If you are unaware of the cycle, it can be frustrating.
If you are aware of what is going on in the atmosphere, you
can greet the inevitable “glitches” with a sense
of humor.
Oftentimes, things you do under Mercury Retrograde have to be repeated. If
you have your car repaired, you may have to take it back to get the job done
properly.
Because your thinking is not in its usual bent, creative
ideas that occur to you under this cycle will often not seem
viable when Mercury goes into direct motion. It is best to
wait until after this cycle is over to enter into agreements
with others or to present new ideas.
Physical arenas that are ruled by Mercury seem to go haywire
at this time: computers, telephones, printing, all fields
related to transportation or communication are particularly
vulnerable to malfunctioning during the Mercury retrograde
cycles.
DO'S AND DON’TS - USING THE CYCLE TO YOUR BEST
ADVANTAGE
DON’T:
Sign contracts; begin something new; make firm decisions
for your future based on what you see during the Mercury
retrograde cycle; go to the dentist, doctor or car repair
service (unless its unavoidable, or you are prepared to “go
back” for a repeat of what you originally went in for);
take yourself or others too seriously; make new relationship
decisions; try to force others into making decisions.
DO:
DO take more “quiet time” to yourself. Slow
down, you probably feel a bit “muddled”. Take
a break from outer accomplishment. This cycle offers the
opportunity to know yourself more deeply.
It’s a great time to write in
a journal, for prayer, meditation and reflection. Discover your
own inner world - what’s true for you, what’s important
to you, what you actually think.
When the cycle passes,
you will feel rested and ready for fresh activity - to go forward
with projects in the world. You will have gained a greater awareness
of what’s really important to you - where YOU want to invest
your creative life energy.
DO work on and bring to completion projects already begun - especially
those that involve working on your own.
DO take the time to listen and repeat communication if you are in
doubt about mutual mental rapport. Slow down your speech and deeply
‘connect’ with others - speaking with your heart involved,
as well as your mind.
If you don’t feel
the other person has understood what you said, gently ask them to
repeat it - (ie: “I’m not sure that I communicated clearly
here... what did you hear me say?”).
DO check your calendar carefully to be sure you don’t
miss an important appointment, and call others to confirm
appointments they have with you. People can be a bit “forgetful” during
this transit.
DO have a sense of humor. Everyone gets “stressed out” when
Mercury is Retrograde. Toward the end of the cycle, folks
don’t even go out too much for dinner or social activities.
They become so fearful of “something going wrong” or
of being misunderstood, they just “hole up”in
the safety of their homes.
Ridiculous “glitches”
will happen - unbelievable miscommunication will occur. Because
you have the “inside scoop” on what is happening in
the atmosphere - Mercury is Retrograde and these absurd things are
occurring, you can have a sense of humor as you watch the effects
of the cycle in action.
© Jan Spiller
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