by Linda Rankin & Mark Husson

Editor's Note: While this article was written for the Mercury Retrograde in October 2000, the information presented applies to all Mercury Retrogrades, though the dates would have to be modified. To see what the current and upcoming Mercury retrograde dates are, go to the InnerSelf horoscope page.

Before you decide to bring your life to a halt, to stop all important decision making and to sit waiting for the next Mercury Retrograde 'mess up' to overtake you, let's take a look at some important and very relevant Mercury Retrograde facts.

Mercury goes backwards by 'apparent' motion approximately 3 times a year -- and lasts for about 3 weeks each time it does. That's an awfully big chunk of the year when we are encouraged to sit doing nothing... or to simply deal with the breakdowns in communications, the electronic issues etc., etc.

During this period, our minds ( a Mercury ruled asset) are a little jumbled, our thoughts are a little out of sync and our ability to process information becomes more keyed to understanding and assimilating issues from the inside to the outside... rather than vice-versa.

It's commonly said that "Things begun under a Mercury retrograde return to be redone after the transit is over". The reality is nothing in life, and most certainly nothing in Astrology, is so easily "cut and dried". It's all a matter of perception.

While there is most definitely validity to the fact that things tend to run in a very different type of pattern during this time, it serves to empower us.... if we choose to allow it to. We get a chance to rethink our actions, our choices, our decisions, our processes.

We are forced to pay attention to what we are doing -- auto-drive just doesn't work well during these times of the year. We have to learn to be flexible and to adapt to changes in our schedules and our plans. We learn to back-up what we're doing, and to work with obstacles and mix-ups.

A large number of Fortune 500 companies initiated, incorporated, or began under a Mercury Retrograde: General Motors, Goodyear, Disney, Kodak, Boeing, and the list goes on and on. The aforementioned mentioned companies all have weathered the times, have grown as the world grew, and constantly adapt to meet conditions in a way that allows them to be extremely successful.

In reality, this period can be an empowering one to set off on an adventure... especially if you want your adventure to be one of constant growth, change, stimulation, and opportunity. It can be an amazing time to begin something new... especially so if that 'something new' is really just a mixture of things you've been accumulating in the past.

Our website was started under a Mercury Retrograde Transit several years ago, combining all the no-no's usually associated with this astrological cycle.... electronics, communications, computers, and new projects. The key periods of growth have always occurred during subsequent retrogrades. Some of them out of choice, others out of necessity. 

Many of you may not know that when Mercury goes Retrograde, it is actually at its closest point to the Earth in between the Earth and the Sun. There is a moment when during the Retrograde when the planet will be at the same degree as the Sun. That degree is vital in understanding the possibilities of the Retrograde. You might want to get a pen and follow this example, it can get confusing but give it a little effort you'll be glad for the understanding. For example, on Thursday October 18th, 2000, Mercury was stationed (stopped) and ready to move "backwards" at 15 degrees of Scorpio. It was conjunct (contact the same point as) the Sun on Thursday October 29th at 6 Degrees of Scorpio.. Go back in time to when Mercury was first at 6 degrees of Scorpio because that is the point where the retrograde issues started (Wednesday October 4th, 2000).

From October 4th through October 18th, 2000, we prepared to heal the old cycle. This period is where everything we need to work on starts appearing. (Rudhyar calls this the Epimethean Cycle named after Prometheus' Brother. Epimethean means "afterthought".)

The moment retrograde Mercury conjuncts the Sun (October 29th,2000) we begin our Promethean Cycle (forethought) where we can look for alternative ways to resolve the retrograde issues. So on October 29th we begin a new cycle of thinking and can leave the old ways behind. We will stay in the new cycle until Mercury conjuncts the Sun again December 25, 2000. This time it won't be going retrograde).

At A Glance: (these dates were year 2000)

October 4: First time Mercury enters 6° Scorpio. The old cycle is coming to a close as the issues that need to be addressed start to magnify.

October 18: Mercury Retrograde begins. Time to bring our attention to a more internal focus.

October 29: Mercury Sun Conjunct: 6° Scorpio. The Promethean cycle begins offering new ways to release and heal the last issues of the Epimethean cycle. Look forward and prepare for new adventures.

November 7: Mercury Retrograde Ends at 29° Libra

November 17: Last time Mercury is at 6° Scorpio. Say goodbye to the old ways and begin the forward journey into your progress.

In Summary: 

Mercury conjuncts the sun several times a year. Once while going forward and once while going backwards. At each conjunction we switch our mode of thinking. On the forward conjunction (called superior) we start our journey into the Epimethean Cycle of conformity, reviewing old ways, and conservative thought. On the retrograde conjunction we enter the Promethean Cycle where we can think progressively and start moving out of traditional expectations. So it is helpful to see the retrogrades as the "changing of the guards of consciousness" and it might help you look forward to these fascinating times.

As we head towards another Mercury Retrograde period, take some time to rethink and reformulate your plans.... you never know what success story is waiting to unfold.

Editor's Note: For Mercury Retrograde dates for this year, go to /Astrology/horoscope.htm

Read and/or leave comments about this article.

Recommended book:
 
"A New Look at Mercury Retrograde"
by Robert Wilkinson.
Info/Order book

Recommended books on Astrology

About The Authors

LINDA RANKIN has been studying astrology for 27 years, practicing professionally since 1986 and is co-founder of Astrologyforlife.com. Her focus in life and with astrology is that life works...period. MARK HUSSON is the founder of the Twelfth House gift and metaphysical store in Denver. Along with Linda Rankin he is the founder of the Astrology for Life website.

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