Mercury Retrograde Alert

This alert is sent out whenever Mercury goes in and out of retrograde.

Re-Evaluate Review Renew Relive Retrace Regress Rename Reaffirm Re-Align....
- 2006 -
Mar 2 turns retrograde
Mar 25 turns direct
Jul 4 turns retrograde
Jul 29 turns direct
28 Oct turns retrograde
18 Nov turns direct - 2007 -
14 Feb turns retrograde
8 Mar turns direct
15 Jun turns retrograde
11 Jul turns direct
12 Oct turns retrograde
1 Nov turns direct
- 2008 -
28 Jan turns retrograde
19 Feb turns direct
26 May turns retrograde
19 Jun turns direct
24 Sep turns retrograde
14 Oct turns direct

Some info on Mercury Retrograde: Mercury is visible just before sunrise or just after sunset and travels in the same direction most of the time. But three or four times a year, it appears to turn around and go backwards for about three weeks! This is an optical illusion based on the relative speeds and orbits of the Earth and Mercury around the Sun. It is like riding in a fast car on an expressway which is passing a slower-moving car. The slower moving car appears to be moving backward

In general the effect of Mercury retrograde is annoyance. Little things get snarled up and a low-grade frustration emerges. Anything involving communications, verbal activity, technology, short trips and journeys, primary education, and siblings can be affected.

When Mercury is direct, which is most of our life, things move forward. But once in a while we need to re-evaluate things. That is the usefulness of Mercury retrograde.

Here are some things to keep in mind during the next Mercury retrograde.
Contracts signed during Mercury retrograde can sometimes unravel.
If at all possible, avoid closing big deals, launching new projects, or scheduling meetings to make a big decision during the retrograde.
Allow extra time when traveling.
Backup your hard drive before the retrograde and try to avoid installing new computer software during the retrograde. Do needed repairs on machinery before the retrograde.

Mercury retrograde is an ideal time to do things like:
Research a new project.
Catch up on paperwork.
Do the follow-ups on a project already started.
Hold an information-sharing meeting.
Enjoy someone's wacky sense of humour or the comedy of errors that Mercury retrograde can create.
One thing people try to do is plan their life around Mercury’s course. This is missing the point a little and can waste unnecessary energy. It is more about simply being aware of the sublte change of energies and taking advantage of them. It’s a bit like surfing: take advantage of the waves when they are there, relax if they are not.

BEFORE Mercury stations Retrograde, finish projects that involve communication and close big deals. Ordering and purchasing, especially for business, can be continually problematic if purchased during Mercury Retrograde. Letters can get lost in the mail, machinery can break down, computers can go haywire; connections don't always work and it's not an aspect you'll want in the chart of a new venture unless you thrive on serious stress or you're starting a repair business. Take care of external communications -- that's what can get dysfunctional and problematic. This isn't a huge big deal and should not stop you from making an advance if one opens up. It's just annoying little unexpected and unplanned-for buggy things could delay progress and otherwise try to trip your switches.

Mercury the trickster, however, has a dual nature. During retrograde periods, while there are problems with external communications, the inner communications part works better. Use this time profitably to get in touch with yourself. Analyze the information you've already collected, re-think and evaluate plans before jumping to action, meet with old friends The extent to which this retrograde affects you personally depends on how significant Mercury is in your birth chart and on its current transits to planets and points in your chart. (artcharts.com)

"Three or four times a year, Mercury loops Earthward (to our eye) in a retrograde cycle back over zodiacal territory. During this passage lasting 20-28 days, our attentions move towards unfinished business. Since all backward movement symbolizes a return to source, we can use these times to attend to our inner perceptions, and reconnect with the spiritual source of our thoughts. This introversion can bring about a critical purification process that can help us gain new insights based on prior knowledge.

These are good times for completing projects, connecting with old friends, and settling accounts. Delays often point towards the need for more attention to detail and rethinking priorities. Be patient and thorough. Take advantage of this ebb in the cycle. Daydream and rest more. When we linger longer to relish the ground beneath us, we can see the flowers blooming in the dust raised during our busy recent past.

It's during this time when Mercury reverses our synapses. While energies may feel scattered at times, refocus often, as this is a good time to reconnect with old friends and practice listening skills. Also, journaling or letter writing allows us to access memories, and express undercurrents. Allow for inner dialogue to retract intentions. Use process in your communications, entertain old lovers.

It's A Wise Tool: Used consciously, we can turn this change in polarity of our mental life towards healing and renewal. When Mercury goes direct we can move ahead with new plans and projects, and put any mental values gleaned into play." (Sandra Pastorius)

All planets go retrograde (Rx) except the Sun and Moon. Retrograde means to move backward. The planets do not actually turn around and move backward, but from our position on earth it APPEARS that they are going in a backward motion. When you are in a car and you pass a train it APPEARS that the train is traveling backward. This is what we call a sensory illusion. In actuality, the planets reach their farthest point in their orbit, so when a planet retrogrades it is coming closer to the planet earth.
What this means astrologically is that we need to slow down during retrograde periods. In other words, put "re" in front of everything you are doing.

Another interesting article:

The retrograde periods that I am questioned most about is with the planet Mercury. Mercury is the planet that rules communication, traveling, computers, conversation, books, planes, cars, fax machines, appointments, letters. Anything that deals with communication. This planet goes retrograde three/four times a year, and stays in the retrograde motion for three/four weeks.

It all depends on the house, aspects that Mercury is making to your natal planets and other transiting planets, and even to your progressed planets, as to how and where the retrograde period will affect you.

Mercury retrograde is really a good time to re-evaluate your thinking. Slow down and re-consider where you are going. Maybe you are writing a book, article or a special poem. This is a good time to edit the material. When traveling, expect delays and possibly car problems. Misunderstandings take place, so be sure to double check your motel reservations or lodging.

It is best not to purchase large appliances, cars, computers or a house at this time. If you do, you can generally expect them to mal-function or they will not meet your expectations. And, never sign an important document or contract during Mercury retrograde.

If you take a new job or start a new project during Mercury retrograde, there will be problems with it.

Now, I know this all sounds rather negative. But, the time periods of Mercury Retrograde can be very productive. Just remember that it is a time to slow down, think before speaking, organize, and double check any appointments or postpone them until after Mercury goes "direct" or forward.

Again, one needs a chart to see where Mercury is located to determine how the retrograde period will most affect you. Mercury retrograde seems to affect Gemini's and Virgo's with a bigger "wham" then the other signs because Mercury does rule Gemini and Virgo! (angelfire.com)