Fasten your seatbelts — Mercury is retrograde again! And since this retrograde takes place in Gemini — a sign ruled by Mercury — the influence may be greatly intensified. What does this mean to you? How can you avoid problems and make the most of this time? I’ll do my best to keep this article brief, and just hit the high points:
Main areas affected by this retrograde:
- COMMUNICATION. Traditionally, this is Mercury’s area of influence. Expect that communications will be trickier and more problematic at this time. This includes all forms of personal and business communication, and all devices used to communicate. Common issues may include computer breakdowns, clerical errors, lost emails and misunderstandings in general. Be diplomatic!
- MENTAL FOCUS AND STABILITY. The retrograde’s influence may bring out some of the less evolved Gemini traits in susceptible people, particularly those with a strong Gemini influence in their charts. Such traits may include being indecisive, mentally scattered, easily distracted or bored, quick to jump to conclusions and yes, “Mercurial” (i.e. changeable and moody). Snap decisions made at this time could have very undesirable consequences. This is NOT the time to take any unnecessary risks.
Beware of impulsiveness or poor judgement, and think twice before acting on a whim — especially if there is a chance that another person may misinterpret your lighthearted gesture. Also watch out for any tendency to rationalize compulsive or self-sabotaging behavior (such as impulsive shopping, etc.). The more emotionally-driven folks in your world may be more prone to misinterpretation, taking offense and overall touchiness than usual. Watch your step!
Here’s a quick summary of some ways to avoid problems and make the most of this period:
This retrograde period would be a GOOD time to:
- Organize and back up all your computer data (and if you are online, double check your security and back up your databases).
- Clean up your hard drive and/or your web space, keeping only what is now useful and relevant.
- Sort through your belongings and get rid of the things you no longer love or need.
- Clean up, clear out and organize your living and/or working space.
- Reflect on your life and gain insights into personal patterns that may be keeping you stuck.
- Gain insights into relationship and communication patterns that have not been working for you.
- Review and release any old grievances or resentments that you may be carrying.
This retrograde period would be a POOR time to:
- Start a new romantic involvement. There is a higher than usual likelihood of making decisions based on false hope, which can lead to disappointment and disillusionment when the wishful thinking proves to be mistaken.
- Begin or end a personal or business partnership. Gather data, ask questions, investigate options — but don’t make a move yet.
- Make any new commitments, including financial ones, if they can be put off until later.
- Try to hash out an area of conflict with a problematic person — especially if they are the emotional type.
- Tell anyone “what you really think” (if it’s negative) about anyone else. Chances are strong that such words will reach past your intended audience and cause an unpleasant backlash.
- Engage in debate or confrontation (by phone, email or in person). This is not the time to argue or tell anyone off!
- Gossip or criticize. The consequences could be a lot more than you bargain for. Practice the Thumper rule* for a few weeks, and you will avoid a lot of needless grief.
Here are some key words for making positive use of the retrograde energy: Reflect, review, re-organize, repair, repent, reconcile, research, re-examine, reconsider, RELEASE. Extra rest and (constructive) recreation can also be of benefit to you at this time.
Look back over what you’ve done and where you’ve been up to this point in your life, and make positive adjustments to correct your course. De-clutter your environment, catch up on your backlog of tasks, get organized and make sure you are fully perpared for a period of growth and progress. Then you’ll be ready to move ahead with the new tide of energy that is soon to follow.
Of course this is fairly generalized advice, in the interests of keeping it brief. If you would like more details on how you can make the most of this retrograde period, and/or information about your individual chart, feel free to call or send me a Keen Mail and we can look at your situation in more depth.
The influence of this Mercury retrograde will be especially strong until the end of May, and will remain in force to some degree until about mid-June. Tread carefully, and use the time wisely!
* The Thumper rule is stated as follows: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
