WHAT IS MERCURY RETROGRADE

Mercury is the planet in the sky which to us here in ASTROLOGY land represents communications and ideas. Mercury is the planet which we use every moment of our lives, waking, dreaming, talking, planning and it is the planet which helps us create our lives and our opinions and even our moods.

What is a Mercury retrograde cycle? Well, I often in classes ask "Have you ever been sitting in an auto, looked over at someone beside you in a train, bus or another car and thought you were rolling, and it was them moving" This is the phenomena of Mercury Retrograde.

In a bit more complex language. When looking in the sky at the planet Mercury we usually perceive it as moving in a forward motion through the heavens, this is called "MERCURY DIRECT" ..but approximately every 4 months or so, it appears to go backwards in the sky due to our earthly orbit operating in tandem with Mercury's orbit around the Sun.

This apparent backwards motion and I say "Apparent" because it is not really going backwards but appears so here on earth.. Lasts for about 3 weeks .....3 or 4 times yearly. When the planet Mercury is engaged in DIRECT motion we are busy thinking we control our universe or really attempting to do so. We engage in OUR plans, communications, ideas and thoughts in a very forward way and often times do not overanalyze actions or these plans. When Mercury is moving direct we are more driven by the ego and personality during this time of "I CAN DO IT IF I MAKE MY MIND UP TO DOING IT".

During Mercury direct often we do not allow ourselves time for prayer, introspection and generally speaking our minds are thinking that we run the show and can control it all in a way which Gives US personally what we want. I say tries, because there is a plan, there is a map, and oftentimes we do not have that document showing us the path and are trying for door A when our path is door number C.

During Mercury direct we resist via our ego and when Mercury the messenger of the Gods of heavens shows up and moves RETROGRADE we are given a 3 week opportunity to reflect and re-evaluate our choices, our plans, our ideas, our ways of communicating, thinking, and look at our direction options.

The Mercury retrograde cycle to me personally is a time which allows me a more informed (INNER CONNECTION) time. This allows my inner wisdom which is more informed than that Little Engine that could philosophy of life to rule and to lead my way. So when Mercury is retrograde we are asked to slow down a bit, think, reconfigure and catch up with uncompleted plans, tasks and all things in our life which we began and did not bring to completion.

What you often read about during Mercury retrograde is the negatives. Electronics break down (so we can figure new ways to do it) Computer miss function (to give us time to think without so much input?) accidents (to slow us down), miscommunication (so we will listen more carefully) and since Mercury often represents in mythology the Trickster, expect what you did not think to happen to happen. AND that can be a good thing. So think outside the box, slow down, and recommunicate if you are not sure of what you are hearing or feeling. During this time questions are good as they will give you more information which is probably much right now.

As usual in a Mercury retrograde period we are being asked by spirit to operate on an inner rather than outer level of thinking and connecting. So, this time is not favorable for signing contracts and making major purchases but I always say, the worst thing that normally happens During a Mercury retrograde cycle is probably that you will have to redo some of the plans or contracts made during this time.

Do back up your computer, and if you can avoid a new project do so please. And, Like you, I myself am open to the whims of the universe, others assist me at the time which they are available, contracts expire, rates go up, whatever. So like you, I must do things at times which are not the best. So, I keep an open mind and often do major things when Mercury is retrograde …and realize that when Mercury moves direct I shall tweak the plan a bit and have a lot more knowledge at the end of Mercury retrograde than I did at the beginning. DIVINE and since REDO is the theme of Mercury retrograde I am prepared for this also.

Patience is the key to this time of greater connection to our own inner processes. Remember each year Mercury retrograde is a powerful opportunity to connect to your source, To reconfigure your own mind and since what you THINK IS OFTEN WHO YOU ARE:: You, like me will come through this time much wiser, kinder, sweeter and more loved than when You went into Mercury retrograde.

Have a wonderful retrograde and reconnect with your inner wise and ancient soul as well as Recognize yourself as a MAGNIFICENT person and becoming more so each day. Mercury is a personal Planet and has to do with the most important thing we do in our life. HOW WE think. So, This is a wonderful time to get reconnected if you feel you are not in your own Personal groove.

2006 - 2007 Was Mercury retrograde in Water Or (emotions) time. The retrogrades these
Years were and are about feelings, emotions, empathy, psychic abilities, and connecting to divine inner guidance:

October 11, 2007 Mercury Rx. 9 degrees Scorpio. Dir
10/23 Mercury backs into Libra
11/1/2007 mercury direct at 23 degrees of Libra

We enter the Time of AIR and New ideas and connections are very powerful if we Are open to realizing the power of our own minds.

Aquarius is fixed air and the ability to think outside the box.

Gemini Is mutable air and the ability to multi task and find more options

Libra is Cardinal air and the ability to CREATE new ideas, new relationships and is a time
Of being more able to reconnect to others

January 28, 2008 Mercury retrograde 24 Degrees of Aquarius
Feb 18, 2008 Mercury direct 8 degrees of Aquarius
May 26, 2008 Mercury retrograde 21 Degrees Gemini
June 19, 2008 Mercury direct 12 Degrees Gemini
September 24, 2008 Mercury retrograde 23 degrees Libra
October 15, 2008 Mercury direct 8 Degrees Libra

We begin to add Earth to the mix of ideas (air). Capricorn is Cardinal earth and is about achievement out in the world and creating the outer world we want

Taurus is the 2nd Earth sign, Fixed earth, and is about functionality, use, meaning and purpose and the first of the powerful building signs of earth energy

Virgo, mutable Earth is the ability to create and plan and then re evaluate those plans and change our Building to something new in the midst of the process

January 11, 2009 Mercury retrograde at 7 degrees Aquarius
January 21, 2009 Mercury backs into Capricorn
February 1, 2009 Mercury moves direct at 21 degrees of Capricorn
May 06, 2009 Mercury retrograde 2 degrees of Gemini
May 13, 2009 Mercury Backs into Taurus
May 30, 2009 Mercury direct at 23 Degrees of Taurus
September 06, 2009 Mercury retrograde 6 degrees Libra
September 17, 2009 Mercury backs into Virgo
September 29, 2009 Mercury direct at 22 degrees of Virgo
December 26, 2009 Mercury retrograde at 22 degrees of Capricorn
January 15, 2010 Mercury direct at 6 degrees of Capricorn

We add Fire the ability to MOTIVATE, CREATE and inspire To this now Strong Earth Building energy.

Sagittarius is the mutable fire of truth and the ability to connect to visions and ideas far beyond what you thought possible for yourself

Aries is Cardinal Fire and the first energy of creation and bravery

Leo is the Fixed fire energy of love, romance, creativity, and inspiration

April 17, 2010 Mercury retrograde at 13 degrees Taurus
May 11, 2010 Mercury direct at 3 Degrees of Taurus
August 20, 2010 Mercury retrograde 19 degrees of Virgo
September 12, 2010 Mercury direct at 5 degrees of Virgo
December 10, 2010 Mercury retrograde at 6 degrees Virgo
December 18, 2010 Mercury backs into Sagittarius
December 30, 2010 Mercury direct at 20 degrees of Sagittarius
March 30, 20100 Mercury retrograde at 24 degrees of Aries
April 23, 2011 Mercury direct at 13 degrees of Aries
August 02, 2011 Mercury retrograde 1 degree of Virgo
August 8, 2011 Mercury backs into Leo
August 26, 2011 Mercury direct at 19 Leo
November 24, 2011 Mercury retrograde 20 degrees of Sagittarius
December 13, 2011 Mercury direct 4 degrees of Sagittarius

Namaste,
Carol Barbeau