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We have all seen the posts – “hold on to your hats – Mercury Retrograde is upon us” and heard the warnings “do not travel, do not sign contracts, do not communicate, do not live” (well maybe not the latter but the scaremongering is great).
But will Mercury Rx change our lives?
Here are the short facts you need to know:
Retrograde does not mean that Mercury is moving backwards – it “appears” to move backwards in the sky – have you seen the GIF of the tube train moving and it appears to be moving forwards but then you look again and it could equally be moving backwards? Mercury has a shorter orbit than Earth, in the periods that it shoots past us we experience a retrograde period.
In 2016 Mercury Rx falls in the Earth signs Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo
Mercury turns retrograde January 6th at 1 Aquarius
Mercury turns direct on January 26th at 15 Capricorn
Mercury turns retrograde April 29th at 24 Taurus
Mercury turns direct on May 23rd at 14 Taurus
Mercury turns retrograde August 31st at 29 Virgo
Mercury turns direct on September 23rd at 15 Virgo
Mercury turns retrograde December 20th at 15 Capricorn
Mercury turns direct on January 9th at 28 Sagittarius
A great explanation of the Mercury Rx phases can be found on this site:
http://www.astrologyhoroscopereadings.com/2016-mercury-retrograde-calendar.html
So now to how it will change your life (or not as the case may be)? Mercury rules communication, this can mean all forms of communication from Emails to Negotiations to scolding your children – this is where the “NO COMMUNICATION during Rx” comes from. Does this really change your life as you check out your shopping in your local shop? If we accept for the moment that our lives are influenced by our astrological make up (when you are born, where you are born and what year we find ourselves in now added to where the planets sit at that very moment in time) then we can also accept that when a planet enters a retrograde period, a period in which their qualities are lessened and not as pronounced as in a direct period, it will alter the way we are able to use that quality. So, if we take communication as an example, the planet Mercury that governs communication takes a break and meditates for a while, we can imagine that our communications would be affected. |
Even if you choose not to believe in the hype that the end of communication is nigh, you can still use the periods to your advantage in that you accept that the planets influenced is lessened and you focus your efforts in clear communication – can’t hurt right? So here is a short guide on how you can use a Mercury Rx period to your advantage: Think before you act These are periods when previous blockages, obstacles etc rise to the surface again for re-assessment – instead of acting on these urges, sit and reflect on what they mean to you and why they have arisen again. |
Be spontaneous!
Don’t try and nail down a plan – be spontaneous during these periods and enjoy the ride.
Don’t hold grudges
They aren’t worth it any way! Any decisions that are made during this time will be flimsy at best, let the grudges go and look at a solution outside the box.
Relax
Seriously relax, Mercury is taking a back seat – so can you, this does not mean inaction, it means take all action in your stride, be in control of the current situation and even though hiccups may arise during this time, make sure you handle them with the relaxed attitude that you would at every other time of the year.
Write it down
We read everywhere that we should keep a journal, Mercury rx is a great period for this (even though it is a form of communication!) – write down any “hiccups” you experience and anything out of the ordinary that occurs – when the next Rx period is upon you do the same again – you will then have a good idea what to expect within your rx periods.
Look at the signs it falls within
This year we have Earth signs, we may focus on more earthly matters like working hard and logical thinking, processing our thoughts in a logical manner.
Lets get real – if Mercury Rx were so bad we would have no travel plans, no newspapers and actually no businesses surviving each year! Don’t change your plans just because a Rx period is upon us, just enjoy any surprises or changes of schedules that pop up along the way – remain flexible.
All images are from "Tarot of a Moon Garden" and are chosen for their links with Mercury.