~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 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: