 ercury
and Earth have different orbital speeds so Mercury appears, from our
perspective, to stop and then move backwards at times. Retrograde
is the term for this apparent backward movement. Mercury
retrogrades three times a year and lasts an average of 22 days but the
effective period lasts 7-8 weeks because it includes the times before,
during and after its retrograde when Mercury appears to move slower
than its average speed. The speed of the planets was important to
master astrologers throughout history - Claudius Ptolemy, Guido Bonatti,
Johannes Schoener, Tycho Brahe, and Johannes Kepler, to name but a few.
So when Mercury, the fastest-moving planet, appears to poke along
at a snail's pace before, during and after it retrogrades, the effect
is worse than when a normally slow moving planet like Saturn slows or
even appears to stop (called a station). When Mercury is moving
very slowly and about to station (or stop from our perspective) the
effect is at a maximum and at its worst. The following graph
depicts the zigzag pattern that Mercury made in the sky before, during
and after this retrograde (it moved from left to right). However,
the retrograde pattern does not always look like this.
The following events can happen at any time but they are more likely to
occur when Mercury is retrograde or moving at less than its average
speed. Other times when the same or similar effects are likely to
occur are when Mercury is strongly aspected by certain other planets.
However, such other times do not last as long as periods when
Mercury is moving less than its average speed before, during and after
it retrogrades. Mercury is retrograde April 6-30 and we will feel
the effects March 25 - May 24. The worst times during this period
are the week prior to and including April 6 and the week prior to and
including April 30. Note that the effects of a slow Mercury
linger through most of May. The following examples are from my
clients' and my experiences over the last two decades.
|
Mercury appears as a small black dot during a rare passage (what
astronomers call a "transit") in front of the Sun on May 7, 2003,
taken in ultraviolet light by NASA's TRACE spacecraft. In
traditional astrology when Mercury is so closely aligned with
the Sun, we call it "in cazimi," which means in the heart of the
Sun. Courtesy of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. |
A slow or retrograde Mercury affects our thinking and our ability to
communicate. Misunderstandings and misconceptions occur more
frequently. We are more absent-minded and forgetful so avoid
misplacing your keys or locking them in the house or the car.
Misreading or misinterpreting instructions are common.
Giving or receiving unclear/incorrect directions or instructions
and being given incorrect information and not knowing it is incorrect
frequently occur. Telephones are more likely to be out-of-order
or have problems such as static, strange noises or poor connections.
The potential for misdialing phone numbers or receiving wrong
number calls is greater and we receive more phone calls than usual,
including solicitations. We experience greater difficulty
connecting with others. Mail can be delayed, mis-delivered or
lost (a letter mailed from the West coast took 16 days to arrive on
the East coast) but, on the other hand, lost or delayed letters are
often delivered. Don't forget to sign your letters and checks
and be sure to put postage on bills and letters. When writing or
typing, especially addresses and phone numbers, avoid leaving a number
out or transposing letters in a word or digits in a number. We
are more likely to mispronounce words, say the wrong word or juxtapose
words in a sentence. Forgetting, missing or changing appointments
is more common. Avoid signing contracts, but if you cannot wait,
be sure that you read it completely, that you understand the terms,
and that you can live with them later.
A slow moving or retrograde Mercury effects transportation too.
More accidents occur because it affects the judgment and
coordination of humans and animals so watch out for animals in or on
the side of the road. There is also more debris in the road (e.g.
rocks, glass, bags of trash, debris, branches). Traffic lights
are more likely to malfunction. Traffic delays are common (i.e.
police or construction block an often used street) more road
construction is scheduled and road construction causes longer delays.
Other drivers annoy us more by driving too slow, too fast, by
tailgating us or by pulling out in front of us. When traveling
by plane, itineraries often change unexpectedly, airport radar can
fail, and delayed flights are common. Don't be surprised if your
luggage arrives at your destination two days after you do.
The impact that a slow or retrograde Mercury has on cars is something
most of us notice. Car problems that existed prior to Mercury
retrograde period usually worsen. Cars are more likely to not
start, stall or quit running. Sometimes engines race or continue
running after the ignition is turned off. Electrical problems
(e.g. dead battery, the alternator quits, alarms or warning lights go
on when they shouldn't, or headlights flicker or burn out) are more
common because Mercury also rules electricity. Be sure to check
your oil and other fluid levels, repair slow leaking tires, and turn
off the headlights, overhead lights, etc. when leaving your car.
Avoid buying a car (new or used), unless you don't mind owning
a lemon!
Because Mercury is associated with mechanical and electrical devices,
they are more likely to shock you, quit or make noises. Unplug
your TV, computer, and other expensive equipment during lightning
storms unless they are on a good quality surge protector.
Computers are more apt to crash or develop problems. If
your car, appliance or computer needs repair, it may take longer or
you may have to take it back after the repair. If you buy a car,
a major appliance, computer or computer peripheral, it will later
require more maintenance.
Here is some good news. When Mercury slows or is retrograde, it
is a message to pay more attention to details and slow down!
Catch up on correspondence and call or e-mail someone on your
mind. Look for things you have previously misplaced. Finish
writing or editing something you have already started. Review,
rewrite, resubmit applications or publications. Correct mistakes
and clear up misunderstandings with others.
_____________________________________
*Echo is a monthly newspaper about community, the
environment, health, cuisine, and spirituality that is distributed in
central Virginia.
|
