(c)2009 by Donna Cunningham, MSW

Not all Mercury Retrograde periods are alike–if you’re attuned to the right uses of these 3-4 times a year transits, they can be a great asset.  We all need to reassess, review, and retool our work load every few months to make sure we’re on track and meeting current challenges–of which there are all too many in this tough and ever-shifting economy.  From today through the end of the month, we’re in just such a window.  How will you capitalize on it?

Does this contradict all the horror stories you’ve read in your search of internet sites?  Giving you the heebie jeebies about Mercury retrograde is the stock in trade of astrologers who want to make themselves important and invaluable to prospective clients.  The way I see it, the retrograde cycle is part of the natural rhythm of the universe, not something to freak out about.   If you plan for it, just as you might plan for the annual inventory of supplies for your business or planting time for your garden, it can keep you attuned to the alternating cycles of forward movement and of solidifying gains and cutting losses. That’s very much what the current retrograde phase is about.

Although this one starts out with Mercury in early Gemini, it soon backs into Taurus, where it will form a 90 degree angle (square) to both Neptune and Jupiter in the sign Aquarius the entire time, and even after it turns direct on May 31st, that square will continue in range until mid-June.  

 Now, despite all my positive spin on Mercury Retrograde, this ISN’T the best of aspects.   Aquarius is the most modern, liberal-minded and technologically-advanced sign, while Taurus is perhaps the most old fashioned, even conservative in all senses, and not exactly jiggy with Change.  This is NOT the time to acquire new computers and other high-tech equipment nor to initiate new systems, for foggy, confused Neptune can create a good deal of  confusion and poor documentation.  (Do regular backups of mission critical data throughout this period.) It’s also a blinking yellow light–for us personally as well as our new Administration and major corporations–where fiscal policies are concerned. 

So what IS it good for then?  We’ve collectively been moving at an incredible clip since January, in part due to the heavy concentration of at least four factors in Aquarius (North Node, Chiron, Jupiter, and Neptune among the slower-moving factors, then during weeks of that time, the Sun, Moon, Venus, and Mercury among the faster moving ones.) In part due to the need to act swiftly to stave off financial catastrophe, there have been decisions made on the run that now need to be assessed more carefully as to whether they were correct or not. 

We’ve taken great leaps into a 21st Century society, and that’s great, but now’s the time to step back and take a common-sense, practical look at what will work for the long run.  Taurus is a fixed earth sign, as the planet itself emerges into the fullness of spring blooms. Aquarius is the emergence of the future, a digitized world.  The creativity and faith of Neptune and Jupiter represent much-needed inspiration about how to balance the two in a way that sustains us all. 

Taurus also urges us to take time to smell the flowers.  If your brain is fried due to the mental demands of a complex, cerebral, and mind-boggling several months , it can help to do just that. Take a walk in a botanical garden or forest, get your hands in the dirt, cook something rich with textures, tastes, and smells–anything to get you back in your body again. It will clear your mind and spirit. 

How can you capitalize on this timely phase to make headway in your own work and your own personal life?  The way I work with it is to always plan ahead for what I call a Mercury Retrograde Project, one that can easily be accomplished during the three weeks or so this transit is in effect.  Often, my choices reflect the signs and planets in Mercury’s longest aspect during that time, so this time it would be likely to reflect both Aquarius and Taurus.  As a writer, I often use these intervals to revise and polish a book in process…or work on a new and updated edition of one of my ebooks. 

What I’ve set out to do this time around  is to create a databank of book and article excerpts published some time ago and rework them for submission to web sites and ezines that feature articles. My goal is for this to bring new traffic to this blog and sales for my ebooks, which you can see at http://www.moonmavenpublications.com or in the category “Bits from my Books and Articles” at the side of this blog. If you’re a writer and like this idea of recyling old pieces, write to me at moonmave@spiritone.com  for a list of likely internet sites.  

Can you think of a do-able, practical Mercury Retrograde project for your work or personal life?  I’d love to hear about it in the comment section of this post.  You can see other posts about Mercury retrograde in the category “Current Astrological Conditions.”  Here’s a table of Mercury Retrograde periods over the next few years: