On December 26, 2009, Mercury turns retrograde again, sending communications, missed appointments, mail and the www into a general snarl-up! 

 This is the last retrograde of the year and at least it will begin after the holidays and not so nice to Canadians which will begin on Boxing Day.  This awkward period lasts for three weeks or so, until December 26 2009.  It finally straightens out on February 04, 2010, bringing things back to normal.

 Many people will tell you that mercury will straighten out on January 15, 2010, however we must consider the speed of the planet.  Though you might feel better after the 15^th of January 2010, you may or may not feel completely better until February 04, 2010.  It almost like one has to consider mercury as a train.  Before it can get to its destination there has to be a preparation to get to its destination; to it like calling the station, informing the passengers etc.

 When Mercury is retrograde, everyone’s judgment is more meditative and we tend to think about issues and concerns that relate to the sign involved.

With Mercury retrograde in Capricorn, people with this sign prominent in their charts will be particularly prone to such introspection. Since mercury rules Gemini & Virgo, if you feel your life is slowed down blame it on the planets, and usually Pisceans the the patients ware thin, where as any thing or everything may go wrong.  This lesson of mercury  this will not affect Capricorn (lessons being learned) only it will be more intense for all cardinal signs such as Aries, Cancer, and Libra, will also receive this uneasy feeling.  In addition, if you are not a cardinal sign you will not get away from this effect these issues will be intense for cardinal signs until January 11, 2009, then it moves into Aquarius therefore fixed signs such as Aquarius, Leo, Scorpio and Taurus may feel the back last starting as early as January 24, until February 01, 2010 Unfortunately mercury returns back into Capricorn until February 04, 2010.  Trust me when I say Mercury Retrograde takes everyone as a hostage.

 The retrograde does not have to be viewed bad it’s almost like a blessing it is about love of order, friendliness, modification and honor.

Mercury in Capricorn produces a intelligence that is old-fashioned, systematic, determined, sensible, perceptive, enduring and well prepared.  This period many of you may become strict and lack laughter or humor at times, this is because your intellect is being forced into learning and learning that bestow upon financial security or our placement in society or work ethics. 

Love affairs will be fickle and inconsistent due to ego centric attitudes.  All areas of communication are distressing, especially matters relating to relatives, business, particularly anyone who is doing home business, travel, relationships, and estate purchases or sell of. Documents can go lost. Be sure to carry a diary and refer to it often.  Rumors regarding partners, spouse and collaborators should be discounted or taken for a grain of salt especially if sex or money are involved and the plot will thicken with innuendos which leads up to January 14, 2010, which is when mercury begins to move forward.

 A planet is described as retrograde when it appears to be moving backwards through the zodiac. This traditional concept arises in the illusory planetary motion created by the orbital rotation of the earth, with relation to other planets in our solar system. Planets are never actually retrograde or stationary, they just seem that way, due to this optical illusion.  Retrograde periods, although often problematic for us earthlings, are not particularly uncommon. Each planet retrogrades, except the Sun and Moon. Mercury, much like the winged messenger of the gods, comes in on feather-light wings and commands us to speak. Communication, intellect and awareness are all within Mercury’s domain, as are logic and reasoning, our manner of thinking, and how we create and express our thought processes.

A mercurial nature brings to mind restlessness and motion. Rat-a-tat-tat — things happen fast here. Mercury is about a quick wit, quick thinking, possibilities, opinions, reasoning and the ability to rationalize things.

Mercurial energy can be good or bad, but it will certainly be energizing! This Planet also prompts us to move from one thing to the next and to get answers on both a physical and psychological level. Further, Mercury’s energy is both dexterous and perceptive. Mercury is about short trips: a visit to a neighbor or a friend across town, the workaday commute, and a weekend getaway. Siblings and transportation in general, are also within Mercury’s realm. Speaking, writing, books, online communications and learning are all within Mercury’s domain.

 This Planet implores us to express ourselves often — and well. When Mercury goes retrograde (the appearance of traveling backward), however, our communications will be challenged. Because Mercury rules communication and transportation, these two areas are most influenced during a Mercury Retrograde. Conversations might be more difficult, as crossed signals and unclear meanings confuse normally straightforward discussions. Still, with a little caution and consideration, you’ll get your point across. Similarly, be prepared with a back-up plan when you’re traveling. If your flight gets canceled or your car won’t start, remain calm and make the best of it. Who knows — you might not have met that fascinating new person in the airport lobby or bus stop if you had taken your flight or driven to work…
Remember, we can use this powerful energy in positive ways. Use this time to do activities that start with “re”: renew, repair, review, renegotiate, and research… 

In general, Mercury rules thinking and perception, processing and disseminating information and all means of communication, commerce and transportation. By extension, Mercury rules people who work in these areas, especially people who work with their minds or their wits: writers and orators, commentators and critics, gossips and spin doctors, tricksters and thieves.  Mercury retrograde gives rise to personal misunderstandings; flawed, disrupted, or delayed communications, negotiations and   trade; glitches and breakdowns with phones, computers, cars, buses, and trains. And all of these problems usually arise because some crucial piece of information, or component, has gone astray, or awry. 

When Mercury is retrograde, everyone’s thinking is more introspective and we tend to think about issues and concern that relate to the sign involved.  Artistic tendencies including crafts, music, art or design tend to be blocked by circumstances beyond one’s control. Legal matters will proceed slowly and unforeseen obstacles tend to emerge. Mercury retrograde tends to lack depth of perception and has no patience for detailed analysis. All areas of communication are affected. Methods and motivation for learning, communication and transportation are subject    to difficulties under this aspect. It brings travel snafus and missed appointments of all kinds.

The good things to do when Mercury is Retrograde: meditate, contemplate, edit the book/poem/song/essay you’ve been writing, clean house, talk to your pet, listen to music, paint, and catch up on sleep!  Since, mercury is a very slow moving planet and it effect almost all planetary signs .It is my suggestion that you purchase a yellow candle and carve your name through the wick.  Anoint the candle with Inspiration oil or Eucalyptus oil and chant the psalm 70 every single night.  This period will last for 3 weeks and it will be hard on all of us.  This will allow friendly communications as well as understandings in situations. You may also choose to recite a mantra every morning until February 04, 2010.

Remember that with all applications of psalms and mantras achieving the desired result is depended upon the quality of intention, and when it comes to finding satisfying relationships, it is of the greatest importance to begin with a clear understanding of what your goal should be. The mantras can be hard to pronounce for many but it is a powerful source of energy I have chosen two mantras for you during this mercury retrograde:

“Om Budhaya Namaha”

(Om Bood-han-yah Nahm-ah-ha)

“Om and salutations to Buddha, presideing spirit of planet mercury”

 This mantra is used to achieve mental clarity, to avoid and overcome misunderstandings and keep friendly communications flowing. Many people have asked the question how often they should have a reading done by a physic or a tarot reader.  In my opinion an in depth reading should be done every moon cycle.

Namaste

Maharani