Mercury Retrograde Cautions

How the retrograde planets work in your life
by Patty the Astrologer, PMA

Planets move forward, they cannot actually move backwards.  Several times a year, though, it appears like they do.  It is like two trains going in the same direction on side-by-side tracks.  When the faster train moves past the slower train, those sitting in the slower train feel like they are moving backwards, but they are not.  This is the analogy for retrograde planets, they only seem to be traveling backwards.  But.... they do go backwards in whatever sign they are going through.  When Mercury, Venus and Mars do this, they can wreak havoc in the areas of your life they rule or are associated with.  They also repeat the situation when they go retrograde the next time.

Mercury rules communications such as the phone, internet, newspapers, is associated with your siblings and written papers, especially legal papers.  When it goes retrograde it is not a good time to sign papers or make agreements.  The legal part of marriage is ruled by Mercury, so when it is retrograde it is possible the legal paperwork is not right.  It rules electricity and electronic gadgets such as your computer, ipod and cell phone, so when it goes retrograde these gadgets can malfunction and be quite irritating.  If you must sign legal papers as part of your job, make sure you re-check them after Mercury goes direct.  If your car, printer or copier glitches, check the electronics first, it is most likely something simple but electrical.  It is not wise to purchase anything electrical during this time because something hidden is wrong and will surface when Mercury goes retrograde the next time. This is not all difficult.  Check to some of the previous Mercury retrograde times to see what good happened, knowing this will repeat, too. If you are a Gemini or Virgo, expect troublesome communication misunderstandings and travel glitches. 

Venus rules love & marriage, partnerships, money, harmony and diplomacy and the finer things in life.  When Venus goes retrograde, your money could slow down.  It is good to look ahead and be sure you have enough money to pay your basic expenses during the time Venus is retrograde.  There should be bargains in luxury goods.  If you have plenty of money coming in, there could be unexpected expenses forcing you to be at your basic financial level.  Getting married now is not a good idea.  If you are in a relationship that is not compatible, the differences will arise, asking you to re-evaluate the relationship and make adjustments or end it.  If you are a Taurus, expect money control issues, if you are a Libra, expect challenging relationships.  Relationship troubles are especially focused on the woman in the partnership.  If you begin a new love relationship, something could be wrong with the woman’s reason for being with you, which will surface the next time Venus goes retrograde. 

Mars rules projects, sex, men and machines, war, fighting, fires and sometimes explosions.  When Mars goes retrograde, expect glitches with your mechanical things.  If the car, printer or copier malfunction, it would be mechanical.  Difficulties with men usually surface now, producing arguments.  If you are in a romantic relationship, the sexual part of the relationship could die down because your man is tired from working with all those machines, this should be temporary.  If you have ignored sexual difficulties they will surface now, forcing evaluation or the relationship could end.  During the long Mars retrograde time your projects slow almost to a halt and time seems to stand still.  Now is the time to evaluate the project’s plans, fix anything and be ready for a push forward when Mars goes direct.  If you are an Aries, be careful of accidents because you are in a hurry and time is slow.  If you are a Scorpio, be careful of misinterpreting others’ motives, resulting in your wanting to get even, causing unnecessary hard feelings. If you begin a new love relationship, something could be wrong with the man’s reason for being with you, and after Mars goes direct, he could be impotent, the excitement having worn off.