Mercury Retrograde

On January 18th, 2002, Mercury turns retrograde again, sending communications, missed appointments, mail and the www into a general snarlup! This awkward period lasts for three weeks or so, until February 8. It finally straightens out on March 1, bringing things back to normal. Mercury turns retrograde three times a year, as a rule, but the effects of each period differ, according to the sign in which it happens (see box for Retrograde Periods in 2002).

A planet is described as retrograde when it appears to be moving backwards through the zodiac. This traditional concept arises in the illusory planetary motion created by the orbital rotation of the earth, with relation to other planets in our solar system. Planets are never actually retrograde or stationary, they just seem that way, due to this illusion.

Retrograde periods, although often problematic for us earthlings, are not particularly uncommon. Each planet retrogrades, except the Sun and Moon.

Fated Events

As a rule, retrograde planets presage a period of seemingly inevitable or fated events, which relate to their sphere of influence. They present us with a series of events over which we seem to have little or no control, relating especially to the sign in which the retrogradation occurs. For example, Mercury retrograde in Aquarius presents quite different sets of circumstances from those generated when it retrogrades into Capricorn.

A retrograde period is best seen as a cycle, beginning when the planet begins to slow to a halt before travelling backwards through the zodiac and ending when the planet returns to the point where it first paused. However, during the cycle, the planet's energy is most powerful (and more likely to generate critical events of universal importance) when the planet makes a station, appearing motionless in the sky. These stationary periods occur at the beginning of the cycle (when the planet first halts as it prepares to move backwards) and midway through the cycle when the retrograde planet slows to a stop before moving forward again.

Mercury's Last Stand

On October 1, 2001, Mercury reached its last retrograde station, in preparation for a period of retrograde motion which lasted until Oct. 23. The effects of the retrograde period continued to be felt until it returned to the degree where it first made its station, on November 7.

What does Mercury affect?

In general, Mercury rules thinking and perception, processing and disseminating information and all means of communication, commerce and transportation. By extension, Mercury rules people who work in these areas, especially people who work with their minds or their wits: writers and orators, commentators and critics, gossips and spin doctors, tricksters and thieves.

Mercury retrograde gives rise to personal misunderstandings; flawed, disrupted, or delayed communications, negotiations and trade; glitches and breakdowns with phones, computers, cars, buses, and trains. And all of these problems usually arise because some crucial piece of information, or component, has gone astray, or awry.

When Mercury is retrograde, everyone's thinking is more introspective and we tend to think about issues and concerns which relate to the sign involved. With Mercury retrograde in Aquarius, people with this sign prominent in their charts will be especially prone to such introspection. There is little choice but to reconsider one's personal views and opinions about life. There is, however, an opportunity to gain insight into one's own ego.

Mercury retro in Aquarius brings blockages connected with unusual or unorthodox methods and ideas, which can be problematic in fitting into traditional systems. Traditional concepts may be threatened, but are also challenged in an avant-garde or unorthodox manner. A tendency to be stubborn and opinionated emerges, along with the blockage of liberal ideas. Extra care must be taken in matters to do with design, architecture, science, finance, and, in some cases, music or literature. Learning and transportation can be unpredictable.

Ideas are not easily translated into money or other tangible rewards while Mercury is retrograde. Literary pursuits tend to be stymied in one way or another. Artistic tendencies including crafts, music, art or design tend to be blocked by circumstances beyond one's control. Legal matters will proceed slowly and unforeseen obstacles tend to emerge. Mercury retrograde tends to lack depth of perception and have no patience for detailed analysis. All areas of communication are affected. Methods and motivation for learning, communication and transportation are subject to difficulties under this aspect. It brings travel snafus and missed appointments of all kinds. Documents can go astray. Be sure to carry a diary and refer to it often.