|
In
Astrology, Mercury is traditionally associated
with all forms of communications, from the written
word, to speech, to travel and thinking. It also
rules computers, vehicles of all kinds and all
things relating to transportation and travel.
Mercury
Retrograde
Periods for 2008 |
| Start |
End |
| Jan
28 2008 |
Feb
18 2008 |
| May
26 2008 |
Jun
19 2008 |
| Sep
24 2008 |
Oct
15 2008 |
|
|
|
|
Retrograde
Motion of the Planets
(See below
for feature on Surviving Mercury Retrograde.)
by Pauline Edward, author, astrologer, personal
and business consultant
Retrograde
motion is the apparent backwards motion of a
planet as it revolves around the sun. It is
akin to the optical illusion that occurs while
riding in a car on the highway alongside a train.
Due to variations in speed, the train appears
at times to be moving backwards, relative to
the speed of the car in which you are riding.
Likewise, from the perspective of the faster
moving planet, the slower planet appears to
be moving backwards. Click here for a graphic
representation of retrograde
motion, or direct
motion.
All
the planets have retrograde periods. For example,
Mercury retrogrades approximately
3 times each year for 19-24 days; Venus retrogrades
43 days, about once every 18 months; Mars, for
approximately 80 days, every 2 years. Jupiter,
Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto retrograde for
4-5 months a year. So far as business and day-to-day
activities are concerned, the retrograde periods
of Mercury, Venus and Mars are the most important.
For example, when selecting dates for new projects,
or business ventures, it is important that Mercury,
Venus and Mars be in direct motion. (See Electional
Charts for more on selecting dates for important
events.) In 2004, Mercury will be retrograde 4
times (one such period is a carry over from the
December 2003 retrograde), and Venus will also
be retrograde. This leaves few windows of opportunity
for selecting dates for important events. For
important matters such as registration or incorporation
of a new business, please consult. A professionally
selected electional chart will ensure that your
new venture begins at the most favourable time
possible.
|
| Guide
to Surviving Mercury Retrograde |
|
 When
Mercury turns retrograde, we generally encounter
a higher than normal occurrence of disruptions,
delays, breakdowns and upsets in fields relating
to and involving communications, from transportation
to negotiations. Typical Mercury Retrograde situations:
labour disruptions and strikes, rallies, marches,
protests, breakdowns in negotiations, labour relations
and peace talks, computer hardware and software
crashes and slowdowns, loss of mail, loss
of luggage while traveling, car problems, delays
in receiving mail and communications, loss of
documents, mix-ups and errors in written and verbal
communications, unreliability of e-mail, (except
for spam of course, which seems to proliferate
like wildfire!) or loss of mail or shipped items.
To
ensure that your Mercury retrograde period goes
smoothly, both personally and professionally,
here are a few tips:
- Take
the time to think through your projects and
issues before taking action. Reread important
documents clearly, especially quotes and pricing
for business transactions. All business, commercial
and financial communications and documentation
should be carefully edited and revised. Give
yourself ample time for mailing and shipping
letters and packages. Now is not the time to
play chicken with your important deadlines!
- Keep
an eye on your luggage while traveling. Pay
attention to road signs and signals. Watch for
distracted drivers. No matter how good a driver
you may consider yourself to be, if the "other
guy" isn't paying attention, you could
be in trouble.
- Follow-up
on business communications, either with an e-mail
or telephone call. Avoid making assumptions.
Confirm appointments before setting out for
a meeting. Bring a book or magazine to read
if you expect to wait for an appointment.
- If
possible, postpone the signing of important
documents such as leases, especially car leases,
important sales orders and offers. If you must
sign, REREAD carefully!!! DOUBLE-CHECK! Misplacing
a "0" on a quote could spell disaster!
- Clearly
this is not the best time to begin a new business
venture. But if you must sign during this period,
revise all contracts carefully. Otherwise, it
is best to wait until Mercury returns to Direct
motion.
- Obviously,
this is not the best time to purchase important
communications equipment such as computers and
automobiles! If you must make the purchase during
this time, obtain an outside, independent evaluation
or opinion on the matter.
- I
can't say this often enough: back up your important
data, every day, more often if you are working
on important documents! Keep your filing and
paperwork up to date. It doesn't take much to
lose an important document!
- Do
take the time to think things through, revise
your plans and don't be in a hurry to finalize
important deals or matters, whether personal,
or business. This period is more favourable
for introspection than for quick decision-making.
Remember, don't rush, think twice and look three
times!
|
|
