posted January 26, 2008 09:00 PM            

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Mercury Retrograde
What does it mean and how does it impact you?

Mercury retrograde provides the opportunity to adjust our thoughts, attitudes and decisions about our issues and adjust our new direction as 2008 evolves. The adjustments of Mercury retrograde occurs three times a year and become similar to a course correction during the flight from one destination to another. The adjustments that occur during Mercury retrograde typically have a theme that occurs all year long, shown by the elements of the signs affected. In 2008 the adjustments that are slated to occur during the retrogrades are in Air signs. Thus these Mercury retrogrades will impact our throughts, ideas, decisisions and attitudes about specific events and choices we are reviewing.

The purpose of Mercury retrograde is to review and revise our life and our connection with reality. The timing of this universe is geared toward the Sun as it moves through the zodiac. Mercury has an orbit that at times gets ahead of the Sun allowing us to look into the future toward new and innovative ideas. However, we cannot continue in that vein until we come back to the present designated by the Sun and put our new ideas into manifestation. During the time that Mercury jumps ahead, we ultimately have to bring the ideas back into the present to test and evaluate to see how they fit into our life. As Mercury retrogrades back into the present, the connection with the Sun happens as we test drive our ideas and re-align with reality and the natural timing of the universe.

The Mercury retrogrades that are occurring this year (2008) provide the opportunities for us to make mental adjustments about decisions we have as our goals, aspirations that are our focus during the ONE year of 2008. Because we are making decisions about our NEW journey, new endeavors, new goals, the events during the Mercury retrograde time frames help us to veer away from the past and take bold steps into our new future. . These adjustments will be very necessary as they allow us to make major changes, emphasizing our bold and innovative choices.

Mercury Retrogrades for 2008

In 2008, Mercury retrogrades three times, all in air signs, which means that we will be changing and adjusting our thinking and thought process. Because 2008 is universally a ONE year (in numerology), this Mercury retrograde process becomes important in the major adjustments as we move into our new beginnings and shift into our new outer journey toward. Mercury retrograde provides the opportunity to adjust our thoughts, attitudes and communications about our direction. The adjustments that are slated to occur in 2008 are in air signs, Aquarius (in Jan/Feb), Gemini (in May/June), and Libra (in Sept/Oct).

These air signs of the zodiac and relates to our mental status and the inner attitude we carry with us. With all air signs, ruling thoughts, attitudes and communication, we are focused on being social, as Aquarius rules humanity, Libra rules partnership and Gemini rules day to day encounters with others. This energy will impact our new beginnings and the different people we are aligning with and moving forward with. We can begin to see how we share our ideas with others and that during a Mercury retrograde, and especially in 2008, we will be communicating with others as if we are at some social gala during each of these mercury retrograde times.

The Mercury retrogrades that are occurring this year provide the opportunities for us to bring forward new and different ideas and talk with others that are also interested in pursuing these new directions. With 2008 being a ONE year, we can bet that the mercury retrograde in air signs will have a huge impact on different ideas, different forms of communication and a whole new innovative movement turning our world into a new and different direction. Inventions, innovative designs and major idea changes will come about to make major adjustments during this time. The changes, revisions and adjustments that occur during these Mercury retrograde time frames will have a major impact in events of humanity, relationships with others and strong, bold new ideas being born.

Because Mercury itself rules AIR signs, especially Gemini, (and the analytical part of Virgo) we will be adjusting everything related to thoughts, concepts, ideas, and communication. When Mercury retrogrades, we find that many parts of our life are being revised. Often these revisions can be a surprise or throw us back a step. However, these revisions which occur during a Mercury retrograde, are a "course correction" and provide a stop gap measure until we can review situations. During this time of revision, change is compounded and confusion is created by our reactions to the ever-changing situations. Thus anything started during this time will ultimately be taken back or even revised further, making for a high-frustration time. This will be especially true with changing our minds, reviewing new ideas and our communication being improved and honed so not to be mis-understood.

The best mode to be in during a Mercury retrograde is one of "non-reaction", and with air signs being impacts, things will be changing continually during a Mercury retrograde Treat the time period as a time of gathering information, yet because the information will be in constant change it would be like trying to comb your hair in a wind storm. Best to wait until the changes stop before attempting to make things orderly. Therefore, just let the winds of situations blow around you without reacting. Once Mercury turns direct, take a look at the information that is still around at that time and go about putting everything in order, while maintaining the fine art of flexibility.

How the different Mercury retrogrades will impact you, can be viewed by the different graphics below (soon to come) that summarize and list the details for Mercury Retrogrades coming up in 2008. The detailed look at each of the Mercury Retrogrades occurring in 2008, will provide the impact on each individual.

Mercury turns retrograde January 28th at 24° Aquarius
Mercury turns direct February 19th at 8° Aquarius

Mercury turns retrograde May 26th at 21° Gemini
Mercury turns direct June 19th at 12° Gemini

Mercury turns retrograde September 24th at 22° Libra
Mercury turns direct October 15th at 7° Libra

Click onto Mercury Retrograde OnLine News (below) to view details about the Mercury Retrograde coming up in 2008, as this provides a more detailed look at the impact on the individual during each of the Mercury retrograde occurrences.

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posted January 27, 2008 09:34 PM            

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At 20:32 UT (Universal Time), on Monday, January 28th, 2008, Mercury the cosmic trickster, turns retrograde in Aquarius, the sign of the Water-Bearer, sending communications, travel, appointments, mail and the www into a general snarlup! This awkward period begins a few days before the actual turning point (as Mercury slows) and lasts for three weeks or so, until February 19, when the Winged Messenger reaches his direct station. At this time he halts and begins his return to direct motion through the zodiac.

Everything finally straightens out on March 10, as he passes the point where he first turned retrograde. 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 2008).

A planet is described as retrograde when it appears to be moving backwards through the zodiac. According to modern science, 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 cosmic shadow-play.

Retrograde periods, although often problematic for us earthlings, are not particularly uncommon. Each planet retrogrades, except the Sun and Moon. Although a powerful astrological influence, Mercury is quite a small planet that travels at a relatively fast speed through the zodiac. Despite being the closest planet in our solar system to the Sun, it is not always in the same sign as the Sun (for example, although this time Mercury turns retrograde in Aquarius, the same sign as the Sun, last time Mercury turned in Scorpio while the Sun was in Libra, but headed back into Libra just as the Sun strode into Scorpio).

Fated Events

As a rule, retrograde planets presage a period of seemingly inevitable or fated events that 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 Scorpio (intensity; sexuality) presents quite different sets of circumstances from those generated when it retrogrades into Libra (relationships; harmony; æsthetics).

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 near 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. The "direct station" (when the planet halts before moving forward again) is the most powerful and can be used for maximum benefit.

Some astrologers consider that the "Mercury Shadow" begins some three weeks before the actual retro station (when Mercury passes the point of direct station for the first time). This has some justification, but I am more inclined to think that the really noticeable peculiarities begin when Mercury slows significantly, a few days before the retro station. This period of "Mercury Shadow" extends to the Return date, some three weeks after the direct station. Bear this in mind, because experience shows that the effects of the retro period are still marked during the "shadow" phase. Some of the most characteristic annoyances often occur just after Mercury makes the direct station, while he is crawling forward before picking up speed.

What does Mercury affect?

In general, Mercury rules thinking and perception, processing and disseminating information and all means of communication, commerce, education 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, teachers, travellers, 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.

It is therefore not wise to make important decisions while Mercury is retrograde, since it is very likely that these decisions will be clouded by misinformation, poor communication and careless thinking. Mercury is all about mental clarity and the power of the mind, so when Mercury is retrograde, these intellectual characteristics tend to be less acute than usual, as the critical faculties are dimmed. Make sure you pay attention to the small print!

The Key Issue

The key issue here is one of focus. Mercury's retro phase tends to bring unforeseen changes and blockages, but the aggravation and frustration that many of us experience during these periods is often due to our own inability to roll with the punches. Is this due to our ego-fixation? Mercury sets out to restructure our thinking processes and for many of us this is painful and frustrating. Moreover, these experiences reveal flaws in our internal organisation as well as our external planning, which can make us feel foolish and inadequate.

Mercury retrograde, like any cosmic aspect, affects people differently, depending on where it hits their personal charts. Some people actually prosper under a retro Mercury, especially if Mercury is retrograde but otherwise well-aspected in their birth charts. It is also a time when matters begun under a previous retro period will come to fruition, or completion as the case may be. Firm decisions that have been previously made when Mercury is travelling normally through the zodiac may be implemented or finalised while Mercury is retrograde without too much worry, for experience shows that this can be done without undue problems arising.

Mercury Retrograde in Aquarius

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 our personal views and opinions about life. We receive, however, an opportunity to gain insight into our own ego.

Mercury retro in Aquarius generates an undue focus on originality and independence, love of intellectual freedom and the inclination to repudiate social conventions. Idealistic concepts however, will be under pressure during this Fixed Sign phase, as people will be inclined to be very stubborn and opinionated, while at the same time attempting to pressure others into sharing their attitudes. Intellectual conflict is a sure thing with Mars retrograde as well, which may induce some disloyalty to friends, whom we may criticize or even slander if they cannot be used to further our own ends. Political persons take note! This position can indicate nerve-related ailments and muscle cramping.

All areas of communication are affected, especially in matters related to the family, business, particularly home business, travel, domestic relationships and real estate purchases in general. This period brings travel snafus and missed appointments of all kinds. Documents can go astray. Be sure to carry a diary and refer to it often.

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posted January 27, 2008 09:44 PM            

I am building a bomb shelter in the bedrock underneath my foundation and not coming out until it is over...

posted January 27, 2008 10:17 PM              

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great....

I am building a bomb shelter in the bedrock underneath my foundation and not coming out until it is over...

great.....

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posted January 28, 2008 09:20 PM            

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Sun in Libra
Moon in Cancer
Jupiter in Cancer
Venus in Virgo
Mars in Cancer
Ascendant in Cancer

posted January 30, 2008 10:15 AM              

It wasnt enough that Saturn hits my Sun,and now Merc the ruler of my Virgo SUN ,placed in my 12th..goes retro...

posted January 30, 2008 10:56 AM            

24 Gemini

posted February 06, 2008 08:36 PM              

The thing at work...general electric problems.

posted February 06, 2008 09:11 PM            

Here's your Merc SR, SD & Shadow dates, times, degrees (from: http://www.cafeastrology.com/retrogrades.html ):

A station is defined from the point of view of the Earth; it is the point when a planet appears to stop moving in the sky. The planet then appears to move slowly in the opposite direction; at this point the planet is considered to be Stationary Retrograde. Similarly, once the planet makes a Station (stops) and begins to go forward again, this is called Stationary Direct.

The following shows current and upcoming Retrograde cycles of the planets. Note that the Sun and the Moon never Retrograde. Dates given show the Retrograde periods as well as the Retrograde zones. This report gives you dates and times for when a planet enters the retrograde zone, goes stationary retrograde, goes stationary direct, and leave the retrograde zone. Retrograde zones are longer periods of time and encompass the entire period of the zodiac degrees affected by the retrograde.

Mercury is Retrograde in Aquarius from January 28 to February 18, 2008.

13 Jan 2008 04:58 am 08°19' Enters Rx Zone

28 Jan 2008 03:29 pm 23°53'Rx Stationary Retrograde

18 Feb 2008 09:50 pm 08°19' Stationary Direct

10 Mar 2008 03:15 am 23°53' Leaves Rx Zone

Where is Mercury Retrograde transiting by house in your natal chart? Does it conjunct a natal planet, your Ascendant, or Midheaven? Read interpretations of Mercury Retrograde in Transit for a more personalized meaning of the transit cycle.

I searched the site but couldn't find what time zone they're located in, so I wrote Ask Annie I suppose you could back into the correct time by making an event chart using the degrees and minutes.....