The concept of Mercury Retrograde is very well known even among non-Astrologers.
It is an excellent example of the use of Astrology as a planning tool. By working with the ebb and flow of planetary energies your life can flow more smoothly and efficiently.
WHAT IS MERCURY RETROGRADE?
When Mercury turns retrograde, it is time to look backward. This period is an excellent time for any activity that entails review, reexamination, and revision.
Astronomically, it refers to a period when Mercury appears to be traveling backwards in the sky ? when viewed from Earth.
This is an optical illusion. It is produced by the differences in the distance and speed of its orbit relative to that of the Earth. Like a moving car on a highway in the lane next to yours that appears to be traveling backward, the Mercury is not really moving backwards. It just looks that way.
Mercury begins its retrograde motion by appearing to slow down its forward motion. It will appear to come to a dead stop, or station, then move backward. It picks up speed for a time. Then, again, it slows, then station and move forward.
This period lasts approximately three weeks.
Mercury rules, among other things, our mental functions, communications, and transportation. When Mercury turns retrograde, it functions less well in our day-to-day lives. That is because its energy goes inward.
Ideally, you would take a mental break. But most of us do not have this luxury.
And so, as Mercury forces you to restructure your thinking and reveals flaws in your planning, you are likely to feel frustration.
This is often experienced as personal misunderstandings and communications snafus. Missed appointments, telecommunications and computer glitches, missing mail, transportation delays, blocks in negotiations are other common examples.
These things do happen when Mercury is direct. But they happen much more frequently when Mercury is retrograde.
That is the reason for that common piece of Astrological advice to be conscientious about such things as backing up your computer, double-checking schedules and appointments, and allowing more time in your travel.
It is also well advised to refrain from making major commitments and signing important contracts during this period. Careless thinking, misinformation, haste and poor communication impede the ability to make wise decisions.
Often people feel pressured to make an immediate decision. It is best to wait if possible.
It is likely that you will change your mind after Mercury changes direction as new information comes to light or a different perspective is revealed.
HOW TO USE THE ENERGY OF MERCURY RETROGRADE
There are many positive uses for Mercury Retrograde energy. This is an excellent time for introspection - looking towards the past. Your focus may change and alternative ideas may come to light.
Mercury Retrograde is an optimum time to focus on people, issues and projects that are already established or from the past.
It is an excellent time to initiate contact and meet with people who have not been in your life for a while. In fact, it is not uncommon to be contacted by long lost friends and family at this time.
This is the time is to take on any activities that entail review or revision of old or already established projects.
Cleaning out reviewing and reorganizing records is an excellent example. Another is gathering your financial information together from the past year in preparation for filing your tax return.
WHEN DOES MERCURY GO RETROGRADE?
Mercury makes his retrograde dance approximately three times a year for a period of three weeks. You may feel its effects up to a week or so before it makes its retrograde station.
Here are the periods when Mercury goes retrograde for 2005 and 2006:
2005
March 19 to April 12
July 23 to August 16
November 14 to December 4
2006
March 2 to March 25
July 4 to July 29
October 28 to November 18
Use this information to optimize your planning and efficiency.
Ellen Zucker has been self-employed for over 10 years. She owns the site http://www.selfemployment101.com
Selfemployment101.com - It's about making a living and creating a life! ... Observations, information and resources for those of us who are self employed or just thinking about it.
http://www.selfemployment101.com can get Ellen's articles delivered to their email inbox.
limousine Ackley .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareNot 1 in 10 people can tell you where money... Read More
Time is wealth;Time is health; Time is power; Time is... Read More
People always seem to be in such a hurry, everywhere... Read More
Most of us know how to manage our time. It... Read More
There is no such thing as time management. You cannot... Read More
Frustration is when an obstacle blocks your ability to achieve... Read More
Setting goals is the easy part -- but sticking with... Read More
Does choosing which time we do an activity really make... Read More
TIME MANAGEMENTWith the creation of the universe, God gave humankind... Read More
One of the most challenging situations people face when planning... Read More
An expert in time management was speaking to a group... Read More
Microsoft wanted to know how individuals around the world were... Read More
In this digital age, the importance of being able to... Read More
Here's some time management tips to try:1) Set strict office... Read More
"Fashionably late" is no longer in fashion. In today's heavily... Read More
At Home? Keep related items together, for example the coffee... Read More
A new client recently admitted to me sheepishly that she... Read More
I give presentations on organizational skill building as it relates... Read More
When do you want to make time for a networking... Read More
Many people want to be coached to manage their time... Read More
Whether you're a new business owner or if you have... Read More
Today, it is hard to open an e-mail newsletter, a... Read More
Yesterday, I'd just gotten comfortable at my favorite table in... Read More
I would like to touch upon a subject that it... Read More
"TIME CANNOT BE 'MANAGED.' THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF TIME MANAGEMENT... Read More
shuttle from O'Hare Alexander ..When I was small, I have never considered the importance... Read More
If you can regularly ask yourself "Am I regularly and... Read More
Not 1 in 10 people can tell you where money... Read More
Many of you have expressed the challenge of not having... Read More
We are constantly inundated with routine (often boring!) tasks around... Read More
Tring ? Tring the alarm rings?but did you fail to... Read More
A year and a half ago I was introduced to... Read More
When trying to achieve a quality education, everybody knows that... Read More
I am an ordinary man - A middle class high... Read More
Get a grip. Is it possible to manage time? Can... Read More
If you're like most people, you want to get better... Read More
Do you believe that the best way to deal with... Read More
When I sit down with a client to work on... Read More
As mothers we play so many different roles and most... Read More
Whatever providence has in store for us tomorrow is not... Read More
Are you too busy to put yourself first? If a... Read More
We don't realize many things we do until we draw... Read More
So What Then Is The Opposite Of Procrastination? Urgency is... Read More
How often have you tried to manage your time in... Read More
Whether you're a new business owner or if you have... Read More
Benjamin Franklin wrote: "If you want to enjoy one of... Read More
"Work smarter, not harder" is a clich? that has darted... Read More
Are you working a "day job" while building your home-based... Read More
Time is our greatest and most precious asset. Time is... Read More
Letters, magazines, bills, flyers, what to do with them all.... Read More
Time Management |