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When a planet goes retrograde, the issues reflected by that planet as it travels back through the sign (or signs) tend to have you revisiting the experiences you had when it moved across that point in its original forward movement. Prior to moving backwards, a planet must first pass through the retrograde territory in direct motion. Because it will return to this point during the retrograde period, it’s being called the “Pre-Retrograde Zone” as it allows you to make note of issues that may emerge before the actual retrograde. After the planet has gone through its retrograde phase it then moves forward, traversing once again the same terrain it did while traveling backward. This is the “Post-Retrograde Zone” and since it occurs afterward, it often brings closure and clarity to those issues experienced throughout the earlier phases. Myth of the Mercury Retrograde Feared, disparaged, and despised, Mercury Retrograde is rapidly becoming the most maligned astrological phenomenon in popular astrology. Without justification, this event stands among infamous superstitions like “Stepping on Cracks“, “Breaking Mirrors“, and “Opening Umbrellas Indoors.” The purveyors of astrological fear have successfully managed to give the world a reason for all its woes, but who can blame us for accepting a ready-made scapegoat? Now broken cars, miscommunications, and botched performances are no longer the fault of human error; rather they’re just a few of the many ills that belong to the irresponsible antics of Mercury. The hardest mountain I have to climb is changing the minds of the millions of people who fall prey to these erroneous beliefs. This is the kind of thinking that takes astrology back 100 years, when the planets were seen as evil forces and bore ominous warnings. Astrologers were powerful advisors in the days of old; the more foreboding their predictions, the more power they were given. Many current astrologers still echo the voice of the old soothsayers. They proclaim the planet of communication is moving backwards and then warn you not to sign or buy because of the harm it will do later. If you’ve been around the astrologically proficient, it’s likely you’ve heard that warning more than once—which is why you can’t get rid of the gnawing sense of caution every time you hear about the retrograde. The biggest problem with the Mercury Retrograde is fear, and that’s no small problem to overcome. What makes this myth about Mercury so difficult is that we like having something to blame. A car accident is much easier to justify if Mercury is retrograde. An inappropriate comment, plane delays, mechanical breakdowns and broken contracts all become much easier to swallow if we can point up to the little planet of communication. When using astrology as a tool to guide our lives, it’s important to recognize the issue of Self-Fulfilling Prophecy, that unconscious desire to insure we get the outcome we believe we will. If we proclaim Mercury is going to be moving retrograde, and bad things will happen, there is a good chance they will indeed. A New Perspective on Mercury Retrograde In truth, Mercury Retrogrades allow us to tune in more closely to our intuition, heighten our senses, and gain a larger overview of our lives. Rarely has there been a Mercury Retrograde that did not assist in uncovering mistakes that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. This opportunity for reappraisal may account for why so many successful businesses were launched during the retrograde cycle. You might try thinking of Mercury Retrograde as a big “Contemplation Cycle.” Contemplation is how we connect to our higher mind—and how we disconnect from our daily distractions—in order to look at life from a broader perspective. Certainly, decisions made while in this state are bound to be supportive. It’s a time of review, and a chance to enhance decisions we’ve already made. What other time do we get not just two, but three chances to make something work? This is the best time to look at relationships and speak what’s on our minds. Mercury embraces communication; it encourages it. It’s time to take charge of our lives and learn to live it fearlessly. Make the Mercury Retrograde a comrade in wisdom: change old beliefs that keep us in fear. I’ve made the following list of ideas to help navigate this Mercury Retrograde, so the next time we hear one is coming, we can return here and review. Mercury Retrograde Help List • Over 50% of the top 100 Fortune 500 businesses were started under the Mercury Retrograde; imagine what we could do. • Now, thoughts that have been lost to us can come back renewed and ready for consideration. • Finally, we can slow our obsessive mind down and start feeling our life. • We can now meet with (insert name of boss, friend, co-worker, sibling, parent, child, etc.) and clear up that misunderstanding. • We can abandon our routine in favor of spontaneity. • This would be a great time to re-look at that important decision. • Our mind is less attached to things; now we can release that “bad” habit without the fear. • It’s time to put attention on our car, or that toothache, or the computer. • If we’re tired of the same boring vacations, Mercury Retrograde is ready to show us a good time! • Remember, this could be a time of celebration and grandeur, or a time of fear and isolation: you get to CHOOSE. Hint: one choice is a lot more fun than the other. Mark S. Husson is an astrologer, author and founder of The Twelfth House. Mark believes spirituality is something that is guaranteed regardless of our beliefs about it - but being happy isn’t. Visit www.12House.com |
Understanding The
Meaning Of Retrograde Planets
