It's Mercury Retrograde Time. February 16 - March 10

To some people, just the words Mercury retrograde conjure terrifying thoughts of troublesome mishaps, problematic communications, thorny mix-ups and faulty electronics. It’s true. Mercury retrograde is a time to be mindful of your actions regarding areas of life under the planet’s rulership.

Communication is the biggie as it includes not only actual communication, but those devices used for communication. Yes, that means any activity related to communication via computers (gulp), cell phones (bigger gulp), and even snail mail (whah?) is susceptible to errors and miscommunications, so be sure to triple-check correspondence before you send it. However, when it comes to purchasing electronics it’s highly advised that you postpone the transaction until the retrograde period is over. Sound scary? It is. I’ve heard many woeful tales from unsuspecting or disbelieving souls who purchased their new phone or laptop during Mercury’s reversal only to end up with a technological ‘lemon.’ Take note: The ‘dud factor’ isn’t just limited to tech products—avoid purchasing any mechanical apparatus during this time, especially if it has computer parts.

The term Buyer Beware is never more apropos than during a Mercury retrograde period—so save your receipts. It’s been my observation that people are more impulsive during the cycle, and many purchases made during Mercury retrograde are returned, due to a change of mind or a flaw in the product. Hence, be sure you really do love those pricey Italian shoes, before you wear them on the pavement.

Still, whenever these types of problems arise, Mercury usually gets the blame. How dare the four-and-one-half-billion-year-old planet undertake its routine celestial journey when it interrupts our infinitely more important lives? However, it’s no secret what activities should be postponed when Mercury is retrograde; after all ancient civilizations were the first to record its effects and had the prudence to make the necessary adjustments in their own lives. Yet, many modern-day dwellers of the information age prefer to disregard this knowledge, opting for the strategy employed by another creature of the terra firma: the ostrich. Ignorance does not always bring bliss.

In fairness, Mercury's goal is not that we be wary, but be wise. Typically, the cycle occurs three times per year and lasts for about twenty-one days. With a little patience and planning, you can avoid the inconveniences of the retrograde cycle and take advantage of Mercury’s higher purpose: the care and conditioning of the mind. Think of Mercury retrograde as a mental full-service tune-up, complete with an oil change, filter replacement, new wiper blades and a freshly vacuumed carpet.

Every Mercury retrograde has its own unique energy, based on the signs and degrees of the planet’s positions. How it specifically relates to you is largely determined by the *house that Pisces rules in your chart, so apply this insight to that area of your life. This first retrograde of 2020, Mercury stations in the sign of mystical Pisces in a conjunction with the ruler of Pisces, the nebulous planet Neptune.

Of all the signs of the zodiac, Pisces is the least attached to the physical world and thus the most connected to spirit. The key words for Pisces are: “I Believe,” which is a clue into the subtle power of this otherworldly sign.

Imagine you are a sea-faring Captain having lost your bearings in the mysterious expanse of the open ocean! The water is deep and dark, and the horizon stretches in all directions without a speck of land in sight. With no map to navigate your ship, you must rely on the tides, the stars and your own instincts to set the proper course to your destination. The question is, are you inspired by this adventure, or do you fear being forever lost at sea? Ultimately, the answer may come down to this: Do you have faith in your intuitive abilities to navigate the open waters of your life?

Where we find Pisces in the chart is the area of life that we are asked to mind our thoughts, trust our intuition and build faith. What we believe creates our reality, for good or ill. Becoming consciously aware of what we think and then investigating why we think it, helps us make the mental adjustments to create what we truly want. Pisces brings inspiration or disillusionment, conjures angels or demons, heightens intuition or self-doubt, fosters enlightenment or tempts escapism. Pisces and its planetary ruler Neptune (and partner in this retrograde cycle), offer us the ability to envision the reality we desire, and the faith that it will come to pass.

This Mercury retrograde is asking us to re-examine our thoughts and beliefs, honor our intuition and be willing to act on faith in the area of life that Pisces governs. How to create the reality you desire is a consciousness practice that every human will eventually have to master. A worthwhile exercise is to take an objective appraisal of your life and ask: “What are the beliefs that created this reality?” If you like what you see, build upon it! If you desire a change, tend to your thoughts and take purposeful steps to create new beliefs that support what you truly desire. And, keep the faith!

*Basic House Ruler-ships:

1st House: Self and outward persona

2nd House: Money and what we value

3rd House: Communications, community, lower education

4th House: Home, family, emotional foundation

5th House: Creative self-expression, pursuit of joy

6th House: Work environment, health, service, habits and routines

7th House: Close relationships and interpersonal connections

8th House: Psyche, sex, shared resources

9th House: Philosophy, religion, legal matters, higher education

10th House: Career, place in the larger society

11th House: Goals, priorities, associations with organizations and groups

12th House: Spirituality, intuition, faith, connection with spirit and our soul

For more information on Mercury retrograde, see my blog post: Mercury Retrograde Basics

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