TAKE A DEEP BREATH !!!

Mercury begins its third and final RETROGRADE journey for 2014 today, October 4th, at 1:02 PM EDT ... if you've been following my blogs, then you know pretty much what to expect during a Mercury Retrograde - EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!!! ... this is yet another dual sign Mercury retrograde going from 2 degrees 19 minutes Scorpio back to 16 degrees 46 minutes Libra ... once again there could be more than the usual number of "misfires" as this backward energy takes in two signs instead of one ... some of you may have noticed the energy beginning to move backwards already as Mercury entered its shadow point back on September 14th - the point where it will come out of this retrograde period on October 25th at 16 degrees 46 minutes Libra ...

Suffice it to say that during a Mercury retrograde things somehow just don't seem to go right or as we planned and we often find ourselves re-doing things especially after Mercury stations back into direct motion ... it is also not unusual to have people from our past come back around but it frequently ends up being for only what I refer to as a "pass and review" ... There is always the chance that something we have done in a previous Mercury retrograde may come back and "bite" us thus requiring that we address the issue and resolve it or take a different course of action ... Mercury was last retrograde from June 7th through July 1st, before that February 8th through February 28th ... and yes even Mercury retrogrades prior to this year could now produce some unexpected issues to arise and stare us in the face during this retrograde period ...

It is very important to understand that Mercury retrogrades are NOT ALWAYS the harbingers of doom and gloom even though things do frequently go off kilter ... and even though it is true they can cause disruption and misunderstandings, we have to realize these are simply Universal "time outs" which give us the opportunity to drop back and rethink and review our actions ... especially in regards to the areas of our lives governed by the house, or houses, in which this retrograde energy takes place ... BOTTOM LINE - even though we often joke about it, Mercury retrogrades shouldn't always be feared and dreaded but rather approached somewhat cautiously ... the Universe is giving us a chance to right our wrongs and redirect ourselves in order to achieve more beneficial personal and spiritual growth !!!

Communications are going to be challenged both to and from others - partnerships and relationships often hit the skids during these periods - some ending prematurely others needing to be brought to a conclusion ... it is NOT a good time to make major purchases - especially Cars, a big NO NO - that goes double for USED CARS, computers or anything that involves electronics ... also purchasing homes can end up producing unforeseen problems and even the contracts can have unexpected difficulties along the way or at closing especially if the closing takes place within the retrograde period .... it is also not a good idea to enter into any kind of contracts or start new jobs as they will most likely not pan out and end up being dead ends ... and weddings, well I know it takes a long time to plan a wedding and some of them will just have to go on as planned, but if you can avoid a wedding in a Mercury Retrograde - DO IT !!! .... obviously one cannot put their life on hold, but if there is anyway to hold off on these things until Mercury turns direct, it would prove beneficial in the long run ... if you must take certain actions during the retrograde, just make sure you move slowly and carefully to hopefully prevent complications down the road ... and even that might not be enough - but life must go on !!! ...  I have frequently found, though, that in many charts I've done, people born during a Mercury retrograde sometimes seem to thrive during these periods because they innately understand the backward energy and how to work with it ...

To RE-PEAT, Mercury retrogrades are simply a time for reviewing and revision ... as the saying goes, it might be a good idea to "DROP BACK AND PUNT" !!! ... during a retrograde journey it can be said that we are in a mental "down time" and often things will not register on a conscious level with us ... the ultimate most proficient use of Mercury retrograde cycles is to reconnect the individual with the Universal "rhythm" ...

Gemini and Virgo born, as Mercury is your planetary ruler, it is now once again time for you to step back and review and re-evaluate what has been going on in your lives especially since July 1st which was the end of the second Mercury retrograde ...

In Scorpio, Mercury retrograde challenges us to find the courage and honesty to go deep within ourselves, facing our own inner demons, in order to bring about transformation and change in our lives in order to promote further personal and spiritual growth !!!

Mercury retrograding in the sign of Scorpio can bring focus to the areas of life ruled by Pluto, the ruling planet of Scorpio, and 8th house matters - the house that Scorpio naturally rules ... so issues could arise regarding things which are hidden - especially in the unconscious self, the masses, crime, phobias and obsessions, slow growth, birth and death, isolation, coercion, kidnapping, bacteria and viruses, generation/regeneration/degeneration, secrets and things kept undercover, plumbing, dictatorships and unpopular causes - all of these things ruled by Pluto ...

there could be issues regarding support one receives from other people - including financial, moral, spiritual and physical, legacies, trusts, wills, taxes, insurance matters, sex, spiritual/physical regeneration, psychological rebirth, degeneration and death - both literal and figurative, occult matters, sleep, deep research, investigations, hidden assets, assets of partners alimony, and surgeries - all of these matters represented by the 8th house ...

health-wise, there could be issues with the eliminating and reproductive systems which are areas ruled by Pluto, and the genitalia which are the anatomical areas Scorpio rules  ...

On October 10th, Mercury will return to the sign of Libra ... In Libra, Mercury retrograde challenges us to address our relationships and partnerships both public and private, as well as our personal values and our monetary situation !!!

Mercury retrograding in the sign of Libra can bring into focus the areas of life ruled by Venus, the ruling planet of Libra, as well as 7th house matters and also pulling in 2nd house matters as Venus naturally rules these two houses of the horoscope ... so issues could arise regarding art, culture, possessions, partners, beauty, charm, good taste, sweets and sugar, harmony, singing, drama, music, emotional contacts, tenderness, moral character, marriage and unions of all kinds, pleasure and appreciation - all things ruled by Venus ...

there could also be issues in regards to financial affairs, possessions (excluding real estate), investments, earning power, gains or losses through your own efforts, inner talents and resources, your need for fulfillment, your emotional feelings, your sense of self-worth, sense of values, personal liberty and material debt - all matters represented by the 2nd house ...

and there could be issues to arise regarding business and marital partnerships, marriage, divorce, contracts, lawsuits, agreements, dealings with the public, open enemies, cooperation or lack thereof with other people, addressing what you most lack in yourself, grandparents, and any people who act as your agent or on your behalf - all matters represented by the 7th house ...

health-wise, there could be issues with the throat, chin, cheeks or sense of taste which are areas ruled by Venus, and the kidneys which are ruled by Libra ...

and as Mercury is the natural ruler of the 6th house, there is always the possibility of issues regarding daily work and service, as well as ones health and nutritional habits ...

As if all of the above mentioned areas weren't enough to have to consider where possible issues could arise,  keep in mind if you've had a natal chart done, then look and see where you find 2 degrees 19 minutes Scorpio back to 16 degrees 46 minutes Libra ... this is where you might most likely are going to find issues arise particularly for you in the areas of life ruled by the house or houses governed by where this Mercury retrograde falls in your natal chart ... A lot to "think" about when the mental processing is not functioning at its best !!!



Below I have re-posted the "Mercury Retrograde Survival Manual" written by my teacher Lyn Hammond Gray ... hopefully it will help out :

"Here is your Survival manual: Mercury retro always creates a repeating action. The Re-Words are common. Some re-words that you will notice during this time are:

Repeat – The action you are making during the RX period you will probably repeat again during the period or later.

Repair – The need for repair will arise. If possible, put if off until Mercury turns direct (October 25th).

Reverse - You will be amazed at how many times you change your mind or reverse your thinking during this time. Watch out for that race car driver that is driving in reverse down the emergency lane on the freeway. Yikes!....

Recall - Your mind will wonder back. You will think of people from the past or you will encounter someone from the past. If old lovers show up, don't bet that it will stick. Believe me... it is just for a "review." (And if it does last, I want to be the first to know about it. E-mail me and let me know). And you know what, I wouldn't start a new romance during this period either - wait until after October 25th !!!

Review - If you are reading instructions, you may find it necessary to review repeatedly because they simply don't make sense. Sometimes the publisher has actually left out a step. It happens!

Regroup - In corporations, it is a common experience during the Rx to hear the boss say, 'Alright, we are going to rework this thing and get it right.' Later when the period is over, they go back to the old way doing things. It is a laugh a minute. Stand back and watch the comedy.

Reboot and Revise - The computer world is a definite place to watch the comedy. It is common for one to suddenly, without fore thought, decide to revise their system during the Rx. Oh! Mercy! That revised system may never function in the normal way. Oh, please! Do wait until the period is over. However, it is fine to do your shopping for the new components during the Rx. When you do go to purchase your parts after November 10th, you may find better deals and buys.

Return - Now here is a good one. You'll find that this period is a popular time for family or class reunions. Should you stay are home? Absolutely not! You go because this is a review that you don't want to miss. But funny thing is that in spite of the fact that you tell these people 'lets stay in touch' it will become lip service and  you won't live up to your suggestion.

Rebirth – Often one will go back into the past and bring up old creative projects to work with during this time frame. Sometimes it sticks and sometimes it doesn't. Only you will be able to activate the discipline to keep it going once the retrograde period is over.

Recover - You can bet that you will dig into your files, boxes or storage to recover something that you need…you can also bet it won't be an easy find. It is likely that you will be looking for a legal document· While it is possible that you may not find what you are looking for, you may find something that you would like to put back in to use. Fun!

Re-examine – Well, just about everything !!!

Reduction – Over the years, I have been amazed at how many times a company or person decides to eliminate a job or to leave a job during the retrograde. It is my experience that a job changed during this period is 95% of the time regretted. Can you wait until the period is over, dear heart?

And so it is. Three times a year we live this cosmic "going to teach you patience routine". All and all when this retrograde period is over you may "Re-alize" this simple truth: The flow of the universe is very, very interesting and it is going to have its way with us.

Good luck and may the Universe bestow upon each one of you a special wisdom and unique insight into your journey through this life at this point!!! "


Back to me now ....Those of you born between October 4th and October 25th will have Mercury retrograde energy in your birthday chart - also known as your Solar Return - for the whole year ahead ... however those born on the 4th and the 25th may or may not depending on what time your solar return actually occurs ... below is a repeat explanation of what it means to have Mercury Retrograde for the whole year in your birthday chart:

A Solar Return is the time every year that the Sun returns to the same degrees and minutes it was at when you were born - all the more reason to know your birth time now isn't it, hmmmmm ????? ... a new chart is run for you at the time your solar return occurs in that given year and it is run for wherever you are at the precise time of your solar return ... this produces a new horoscope chart which shows what energy you may or may not run into for the year ahead - that is from the current birthday until next years birthday ... its energy may even be felt from one to three months out before the actual solar return occurs .... often people will relocate for the return time in order to get a particular energy in their solar return chart ... below is what astrologer Mary Fortier Shea says about having a solar return Mercury Retrograde -

"Mercury is usually retrograde in a solar return chart every six years ... during this time it's best to be introspective ... you should be learning and thinking on your own rather than depending on others ... the mind  is like an overstuffed drawer seriously in need of re-filing and reorganization ... in other words the time has come to "process" ... the mental processes are not very receptive to new information at this time ... it's time to go back and re-examine and review things in your life which may have been started but not carried through to fruition or maybe interrupted and suddenly abandoned for some reason ... by focusing inward you might be able to see that your own opinions, thoughts and decisions work best for you rather than those made by others ... at the same time be very receptive to the feedback others are giving you especially if you have missed the mark in regard to some endeavor ... another side effect of this energy is secretiveness where you decide to withhold information or sometimes outright lie ... and why ??? .. because you have secrets that need to be kept or else were you to express your opinions and thoughts outwardly it could cause tension in your relationships ... have plenty of ice cream around to soothe the tongue you are most likely going to have to bite frequently this year !!! ... this is a great year to keep a journal and put your thoughts down on paper and also to write original material ... sometimes you can see things differently when thoughts and ideas are written down which is a very helpful way to get organized ... this is a year where you will probably realize old opinions and beliefs are now outdated thus encouraging you to reassess your thinking, reformulate previously developed ideas, and shed new light on something on some level of your life that needs to be addressed ... "

It doesn't really have to be a bad year ... done wisely, fast forwarding to the past and clearing out the "clutter", you can propel yourself further ahead in life than you originally may have thought !!!

For all of us, this becomes a time to review and rethink what is going on in our lives and especially what may have been started or done during previous Mercury Retrograde periods ... we must look and see what is now running into problems, falling apart, or what simply will not work out and needs to be let go of and ended so we can move forward when the retrograde period is over ... one more item of interest - those born roughly between October 8th and October 26th may be impacted in some special way as retrograde Mercury will pass backwards over their natal Sun placement ... 

Whatever the case, it is for sure that there will undoubtedly be lights going ON in our heads regarding these actions as well as other lights going OUT as this Mercury Retrograde energy wreaks its cosmic havoc for the next 22 days ... so slow down and try not to act too impulsively or the day may come in the near future when you live to regret what you did ... be aware tempers will flare and patience may become scarce ... HOWEVER ... that personal sense of humor, being one of your best allies, may need to be called upon frequently as the Mercury Retrograde merrily produces disruption and misunderstanding !!! 

So the lingering question remains - will we become the constant victim of Cosmic Chaos, become the recipient of great Cosmic Clarity ... or BOTH ??? ... it is most definitely NOT time to try and swim upstream in a raging current of cosmic confusion - TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND GO WITH THE FLOW !!!