Mercury Retrograde
- Maria Hart
- Apr 1, 2017
- 3 min read
Mercury retrograde. What is it and what do we really need to know about it? Mercury retrograde is a phenomenon that occurs when the planet appears to move backwards. It happens three or four times per year for approximately three weeks at a time. The universal purpose of this time is to pause, reflect and review life, not to take action or initiate anything new. How powerful is it? Depends on who you talk to. Some say beware, others are less concerned, still others discount the effects of this cosmic reversal altogether. What I can say is that I’ve been tracking the movements and manifestations of Mercury retrograde for decades and I believe that this cosmic event has a definite effect. Here’s my list of top DOs and DO NOTs.
I’ll start with the DO NOTs first:
DO NOT: Make important appointments. I’ve never seen it fail to happen that they end up needing to be rescheduled. DO NOT: Sign contracts. The fine print (or not so fine) will trip you up later. Even a contract with the cable company will become a convoluted nightmare if initiated during Mercury’s retrograde. DO NOT: Take a job or hire employees. In either case, it won’t work out, wasting everyone’s time. DO NOT: schedule important meetings or launch campaigns. DO NOT: Make important purchases. No matter what the item is, it will end up being a lemon. DO NOT: Make important decisions. You'll end up regretting it or changing your mind. DO NOT: Travel or make travel reservations (Note: Mercury rules short journeys so logically its retrograde would cause some problems. However, I've traveled dozens of times during Mercury retrograde with no problems at all). DO NOT: Have surgery!!!!! Under no circumstances should you go under the knife during Mercury retrograde. This cannot be stressed enough. I believe that if all surgeries were suspended during this period, the vast majority of unsuccessful procedures (those that result in lawsuits, complications, long-term disabilities or death) would drop dramatically worldwide.
Now the DOs:
Most Important: Mercury retrograde is a time to reflect, rejuvenate, restore, review. DO: Anything spiritual, contemplative, creative or artistic. DO: Meditate, paint, read, write, spend time in nature, etc. DO: Anything that starts with "re." This includes repair, refurbish, restore, revise, reorganize. Use this time wisely and you will be rewarded with greater clarity and purpose when the planet moves forward.
Other things to know:
Mercury rules communication, cars, transit, technology, computers, appliances, electronics. If any of these items have a weakness or are gonna break, it will happen during Mercury retrograde. This includes breakdowns in communication.
Watch the cycle. You'll know when Mercury is stationing forward (slowing to a stop before changing direction) or backwards when the weather changes, often this change is dramatic. You will also notice yourself feeling an inclination to tie up loose ends; you know, those things you've been procrastinating about taking care of. Resist this urge and put it on your to-do list for after the retrograde ends. This is usually the most powerful time of a retrograde, so be extra careful to mind the DOs and DON'Ts. Any situation that starts at the beginning of a Mercury retrograde cycle, will not come to full resolution until the end. Lastly, if you absolutely must sign a contract during Mercury retrograde, read it very carefully multiple times and double cross your fingers.
This Mercury retrograde is in the sign of Taurus. Taurus rules our money and personal values. You may find yourself re-evaluating your long- and short-term financial goals and decide how to better achieve them. It is especially important to avoid making any major purchases now as you may find yourself with big time buyer's remorse when Mercury stations direct; so resist that urge to open the purse strings. Instead use this time to review and prioritize your values and your beliefs about money. On the other hand, Taurus is an earth sign, who enjoys creature comforts. So get out in the garden, enjoy some great meals, have a massage, frequent the bubble bath, or just sleep in! You'll feel like a million bucks!
Be patient. This Mercury retrograde period last from April 9th to May 2nd.
© Maria Hart 2017
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