MERCURY RETROGRADE, 10 to 30 December, 2010

“Be patient.
Respond to every call
that excites your spirit.”
-Rumi

Mercury REtrograde:
05 degrees Capricorn to 19 degrees Sagittarius

7:04am EST 10 Dec to 2:21am EST 30 Dec
Approach: Began 22 November-
The last day Mercury was at 19 Degrees Sagittarius.

Shadow: Ends 17 January 2011-
The next time Mercury reaches 05 deg Capricorn going Direct.

We are going to nip this fear right in the bud this time. The term Mercury Retrograde should not be looked upon as scary, nor be anything you should be “afraid of.”

~Remember that planets do not “cause” anything. If instead we go back to the idea of “as above, so below” and think once more of a stage on which the planets are moving, then the times that Mercury, the master communicator and trickster, walks backward are simply extra tricky times. After all, the image of the jester walking backwards is suspicious, to say the least. What is he up to now? What is he backing away from? The already slippery nature of Mercury is even trickier to pin down during his retrograde days. During such days, he demands that we pay extra special attention to mercurial things. We can ignore this and be tricked and bamboozled. Mercury takes great pleasure in the fact that either way we are dealing with Mercury, voluntarily, or involuntarily.~ –Laurence Hillman, ‘Planets in Play’

Like sleep, this passage offers the proper time within our planetary cycles to REcharge ourselves. Without these needed times the Universe schedules for redoing, reorganizing, and reflection- the collective would not move forward optimally. Being Mercury is the keeper of our thinking, mentality, communications and movement of all kinds: it is this part of ourselves that needs a “tune-up.”

When we resist the affects of the current transits that guide us, then that “scary” energy of Mercury undoubtedly will happily find us within the tricks he plays. Your free will decides upon this “fate.” The key to achieving success under any Mercury Retrograde Period is to expect change, and embrace it. Knowing like attracts like, those that choose to become aggravated and frustrated by The Trickster over this passage, jump on their own chaos train willingly.

This time Mercury is choosing Capricorn and Sagittarius to bring forth the necessary RE’s that are well advised to follow while we weather The Messengers last backwards journey of 2010.

With Capricorn being the sign of reverence, conservation, caution, and ambition these are the virtues we are meant to adhere to the most as we gravitate to the actions of: REdoing, REassessing, REading, REvisiting, REjoicing, REaligning, REsting, REviewing, and by all means RELAXING! Once back in Sagittarius upon 18 December, our sense of perspective, honesty, optimism, and expansion urge our attention for those RE’s to unfold upon.

Furthering upon the caution, REsponding vs. REacting is the key to finding reward during this passage. There will be buzzes of changes that will undoubtedly occur while this Retrograde plays out. While we are wise to avoid important decisions and initiations at this time, our activity and behavior while in reassessment is imperative.

Look to the 05 deg Capricorn to 19 degree Sagittarius piece of your personal Zodiac Pie to see where reflection urges to find you under this upcoming passage. Remember as well…

The DO’s & DON’TS of Mercury REtrograde…

DO:
REmain Calm!
Expect CHANGE: in travel, routines, & schedules to occur suddenly
Give yourself extra time to get where you’re going
Spend time in the RE’s: Relax, Revisit, Reflect, Redo, REcharge!
Gravitate to REsponding vs. REacting!

DON’T:
“Freak out” when changes come up
Rush: speaking, driving, doing anything!
Sign important documents
Initiate anything new

Keep in mind, those events and situations that have occurred since 22 November- fall under the approach of this REtrograde. We tend to start to see the things that will undergo reassessment emerge over these couple weeks, in the specific areas of your life noted above. Equally before the shadow completes upon 17 January 2011, you will see further opportunities for final adjustments that need to be made from all action occurring within the retrograde period.

The uncanny power of Lexigrams is also here as always to REmind you how to best find ease under this passage. There is an important tale for every sign to hear that is told from the letters within the very name of Mercury Retrograde:

MERCURY RETROGRADE

DAY TO DAY, GREET YOUR URGE TODAY:
GOT TO REDO, GOT TO RETRACE
GOT TO REROUTE YOUR GAME
GOT TO RECREATE TO REORDER
GOT TO RE-EDUCATE
GOT TO GO TO A GREAT ART
GO TO A GREAT COMEDY
GO REDECORATE
GO READ, TRY A REREAD
GO DO YOGA
GO EMERGE, RECORD A RARE DREAM
GO MEET A TAME COURAGE
GOT TO REDUCE OUR TERROR
GOT TO REDUCE A RUMOR
GO TO REGARD TO REDUCE A REGRET
GO! TRY TO AGREE- GO TO A TRUCE
GO MEET A TRUE EGO CURE: TRADE OUTRAGE TO GRACE
TRADE OUTRAGE TO A COURAGE REMEDY
GO TO A MERCY TO CURE A GREEDY EGO
GO GREET A MORE MATURE AREA
GOT TO A REMOTE AREA TO MEET A GREAT REMEDY
GO TO A GOD- ADORE YOU!