Tag: Mercury Retrograde

Tasha’s Day by Day Astro Planner

Wisdom Begins With Wonder PicturesTasha’s Day by Day Astro Planner

 

Thu. 5/14 Impulsive Aries Moon energy makes for unexpected leaps and bounds. Mars opposing Saturn feels like push/pull.

Fri. 5/15 Fiery Aries Moon combined with Mars/Saturn push/pull could mean frustrated feelings. Patience is needed.

Sat. 5/16 Steady Taurus Moon provides great energy for outdoor chores. Venus trine Neptune generates appreciation for all things mystical.

Sun. 5/17 Sensuous Taurus Moon suggests take it easy and have fun in the sun.

Mon. 5/18 Gentle Taurus New Moon becomes busy Gemini Moon early AM, providing energy to gather thoughts for “re” projects to accomplish during Mercury Retrograde, also today. Repeat directions and clarify communications.

Tue. 5/19 Chatty Gemini Moon enhances communications.

Wed. 5/20 Tender Cancer Moon helps care for all.

Thu. 5/21 Moody Cancer Moon suggests asking for what is needed. Sun into Gemini brings energy to travel, communication. Late Venus opposing Pluto says go slow with desires.

Fri. 5/22 Flirty Gemini Moon smiles through the day. Romantic Leo Moon says go out and play. Later Sun opposing Saturn could solidify actions.

Sat. 5/23 Creative Leo Moon suggests art projects for fun.

Sun. 5/24 Playful Leo Moon brings joyous energy to the day.

Mon. 5/25 Picky Virgo Moon is needed to rein in Venus Square Uranus and Mars Square Neptune. Impulsive choices best postponed today. Vision may be unclear.

Tue. 5/26 Clever Virgo Moon helps bring mindful energy to good solutions.

Wed. 5/27 Analytical Virgo Moon is assisted by Mercury conjunct Mars for crisp efficiency.

Thu. 5/28 Balance loving Libra Moon helps keep the peace.

Fri; 5/29 Justice oriented Libra Moon can help pierce Mercury Square Neptune confusion. Be mindful.

Sat. 5/30 Penetrating Scorpio Moon gets to the bottom of issues; Sun conjunct Mercury helps.

Sun. 5/31 Mystery loving Scorpio Moon finds food for thought as Sun squares Neptune.

 

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Mercury Retrograde on Valentine’s Day

Mercury Retrograde on Valentine’s Day

Love gone wrong…

Jeff Kishner  Jeff Kishner on the topics of valentines day, mercury retrograde, blogs, astrology
Healthy relationships depend on open communication. Unfortunately, on this Valentine’s Day the communication planet is intent on throwing a few screws into your plans. Mercury, from our perspective on Earth, moves backwards in the sky about three times a year, 22 days at a time. When Mercury goes retrograde, signals get crossed, mail gets lost, and delays and mix-ups are the order of the day. This year, Mercury turned its heels on Feb. 6 … and won’t right itself until Feb. 28.

Sure, your computer might malfunction or your bus might be late. But on Valentine’s Day, what counts is how love can go wrong. Here are just some of the things that can happen when Mercury tramples on your relationship:

• Your ex calls, and your current partner answers the phone.

• You send a sexy IM to your boss instead of your date.

• That Valentine’s Day card you sent to your long-distance “friend” comes back with “Returned to Sender” stamped on it.

• You accidentally make public your private online photos of you and your loved one … you know, those pictures.

• You forget to sign out of your email, and your partner reads that flirty email correspondence between you and your co-worker.

Mercury brings back past communications. When it’s retrograde, you’re supposed to wrap up unfinished business. Unfortunately, Valentine’s Day is not the best time for old relationships to pop up out of nowhere.

The solution? If you haven’t been completely honest about your past at this point, the most romantic of days is probably not the best time to come clean. Take some necessary precautions. When you leave the computer, double-check to make sure you signed off. Think twice before you hit “send” on that email. And know that Mercury, the trickster, will surely have something up his sleeve that you haven’t anticipated.

And on that special night, it can’t hurt to talk about all the good things that have built up to this moment. When the bad stuff rears its head, you’ll at least have had a wonderful evening to buffer the blows.

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Personal Planets in Retrograde

Personal Planets in Retrograde

Three retrograde planets bring us to a tipping point

Jeff Jawer  Jeff Jawer on the topics of venus retrograde, retrograde planets, mercury retrograde, blogs, astrology

2014 is getting off to a sluggish start that may require us to be more patient through the end of May. The year began with sociable Venus in reverse. This planet of love, pleasure, peace, and harmony was retrograde in orderly Capricorn until January 31. She’s just now picking up speed to put a bit more forward thrust into matters of desire, self-worth and partnership. Her retrograde period, which started on December 21, 2013, corresponded with delays in financial, artistic and romantic matters. But on the plus side, it has also been a time to review and re-evaluate our needs in these areas of life.

Mercury Retrograde

On February 6 mental Mercury turns retrograde, starting its reversal in dreamy Pisces and ending it on February 28 in quirky Aquarius. These thrice annual, 3-week-long Mercury Retrograde periods are known as times when dealing with data, messages, travel, and technology tend to be more complicated. This is especially likely to be the case when this retrograde starts in Pisces, where thinking is softened with feelings and diffused with faith and fantasy. It’s easy to get lost in fog banks of illusion, yet imagination and intuition should flourish. Mercury then backs into airy Aquarius on February 12, which can sharpen thinking if we value simple answers more than complicated theories.

Mars Retrograde

The next personal planet getting on the backward merry-go-round is Mars. Usually, he’s an assertive warrior driving us to take risks, initiate action and penetrate into new territory. However, Mars entered Libra last December, which cooled off some of the power and passion of this fiery planet. This is a little like a retrograde influence because Mars’ usual spontaneity and drive can be blunted by indecision and lassitude in cool Libra.

On March 1, though, the transformation of this primal planet takes another turn when it begins moving retrograde. Mars will backpedal in Libra until May 21, and is unlikely to regain full force until it enters its watery home sign Scorpio on July 26. This doesn’t mean that we’re going to be frozen in our tracks until then. Life goes forward even when the planets do not, but finding traction and getting new projects off the ground might be more challenging. Relationship-oriented Libra requires bridge-building to mend wounded partnerships or to create new ones. Reaching out to people in socially skillful ways now will be beneficial in the long run. The trick is to double back to make sure that you’re current with the needs of potential allies, and are willing to revise and renegotiate the terms of your alliances during Mars’ retrograde period.

Find your anchor

It’s worth noting that Mercury, Venus and Mars are more about how we think, what we like, and what we do, rather than who we are. They are planets of means — the ways that we connect intellectually, socially and physically. It is natural to identify with our thoughts, desires and actions and, of course, the circumstances in which we find ourselves. But if you find you are struggling during these retrogrades, it’s helpful to step back and find a less entangled place in which to see yourself. Tune into your heart (Sun) and gut (Moon), as well as your beliefs (Jupiter) and commitments (Saturn) to find more solid ground upon which to stand. Adapting to the shifting patterns of these retrograde planets is much easier when the core of self (Sun and Moon) and our aspirations and ambitions (Jupiter and Saturn) remind us of who we are and what we stand for.

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Mercury Retrograde Horoscopes (Feb. 6 – 28)

Mercury Retrograde Horoscopes

Mercury reverses through Pisces and Aquarius February 6-28

Jeff Jawer  Jeff Jawer on the topics of mercury retrograde, horoscopes, astrology

Speedy little Mercury, the messenger planet, slows down and shifts into reverse three times a year. Next up, from February 6-28, 2014, Mercury will turn retrograde in watery Pisces and backtrack into Air sign Aquarius.

Mercury’s retrograde cycle is a three-week period when communications tend to be more complicated. Dealing with details, travel and technology are other potential trouble spots. However, this is also a time to tie up loose ends, complete unfinished business, and reconnect with people from the past.

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

Mercury’s reversal begins in sensitive Pisces and your obscure 12th House of Subconscious, which can muddle messages and make difficulties with the flow of information even more likely. Yet this part of your chart is rich with imagination and spirituality, perhaps reawakening an old dream, creative project or inspiring the devotional side of your personality. Gentle persuasion and tuning in to others needs will be more successful than pushing hard to get others to go along with your ideas.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

Communication in group situations could become a little fuzzy with chatty Mercury turning retrograde in your 11th House of Organizations and Friends. This reversal of the messenger planet might also revive an old idea or dream for making the world a better place. Reconnecting with old pals and colleagues could prove surprisingly satisfying, even if your last contact was not very successful. Being kinder in what you say is a good way to repair relationships.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

Mercury is your ruling planet, making its retrograde period more important than it is for most people. This reversal starts in imaginative Pisces and your 10th House of Career where confusion about goals and responsibilities could complicate your job. Don’t assume that people understand you or you them. Double-check to be sure that you’re on the same page when it comes to your job. Reawakening an old career dream, though, is a potential benefit of this pattern.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

Travel plans and dealing with people in distant locations could be a bit more difficult during this Mercury Retrograde period. That’s because the planetary master of messages and details turns tail in your 9th House of Faraway Places. Make sure that you communicate carefully and recheck documents to avoid mistakes and misunderstanding. A possible benefit of this cycle, though, is to reignite interest in education since the 9th house is also the House of Higher Learning.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22)

Relationships could grow a bit more confusing with communicative Mercury turning backward in your 8th House of Intimacy. Renegotiating the terms of personal and professional agreements will probably be necessary to keep both parties happy. Showing some flexibility, as well as compassion, will strengthen alliances, but playing power games will not. Cooperation isn’t easy during uncertain times, so stay open to making some temporary changes.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)

Verbal Mercury turning backward in your 7th House of Partners can spring some surprises in relationships. You love clarity but it may be hard to come by now. Don’t worry too much about the details, but work on bringing more imagination and compassion into your alliances. Someone you found less-than-realistic in the past might be worth reconnecting with now, especially if she or he stimulates your creativity and is a source of inspiration.

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)

Work issues could be more complicated with this Mercury reversal in your 6th House of Employment. Tasks that you thought were finished may need to be redone, which doesn’t sound like fun. But if you bring a positive attitude and a willingness to learn, your level of skill is likely to increase. Try to avoid overdoing it mentally and physically since you could run out of energy more quickly than usual now. A bit more self-protection and care are highly recommended.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21)

The communication planet turns retrograde in your 5th House of Self-Expression, Romance and Children. Confusion and misunderstandings are possible when making presentations, looking for love or dealing with your little ones. On the plus side, Mercury’s reversal offers second chances in these areas of your life. Just remember to be tender, since this turnabout starts in compassionate Pisces where showing kindness is more important than mastering every little detail. Old creative interests return when you take time to play.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)

Domestic matters could require extra attention with Mercury turning retrograde in your 4th House of Home and Family. Spending time on repairs and maintenance is an excellent way to use this period of time. Old emotional issues within your household and with relatives may come back to the surface. Don’t just set them aside — facing them is not easy but it’s worth the effort. Forgiving yourself and others for mistakes frees you to create a more successful future.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)

Whenever chatty Mercury turns retrograde messages tend to be muddled, but misunderstandings are even more likely now. That’s because this little planet’s reversal takes place in your 3rd House of Communication in the fuzzy sign of Pisces. Double-checking details and travel plans makes sense, but being kinder and gentler in how you express yourself is equally important. Tenderness reduces conflict and, in turn, could even inspire your imagination.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18)

This retrograde cycle starts in your 2nd House of Assets where you may have to review and readdress some finance-related matters. Taking a second look at how you handle money should open your eyes to more effective ways to manage your resources. Mercury re-enters Aquarius on February 12 and will stay in your sign until mid-March, triggering insights about your appearance, attitude, and approach that allows you to let go of habits that no longer serve your needs.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20)

Mercury’s retrograde turn in your sign could put you in a three-week state of deja vu. While this can make it more challenging to stay on top of details and manage new tasks effectively, it’s also an opportunity to restart conversations that didn’t go so well the first time around. Your high levels of compassion and creativity will serve you well in repairing relationships and restoring your reputation, providing second chances to make things right.

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Cosmic Calendar for Friday, November 1st

Stop, look and listen as November arrives with a vengeance. The big news is the square between Uranus and Pluto (3:31AM and activating 10 degrees of Aries and Capricorn). This is another in their series of seven, tense 90-degree sky patterns occurring from June 2012 to March 2015. If this battle between revolutionary and underworld forces were the only extreme alignment of the day, it would still be a very challenging 24-hour time-period.  However, here’s a list of other major aspects that can influence humanity and society in a very profound way — Mercury makes a supportive, 60-degree link to Mars (5:04AM), the Sun trines Chiron (6:13AM), the Sun forms an off-kilter, 150-degree tie with Uranus (9:45AM), the Sun makes a supportive, 60-degree link with Pluto (10:06AM). Venus trines Pallas (10:16AM), the Sun unites with Mercury retrograde at 10 degrees of Scorpio (1:20PM in what is called astronomically an Inferior Conjunction of Sun-Mercury), Mercury makes a supportive, 60-degree contact with Pluto (3:45PM), Mercury also forms an off-kilter, 150-degree tie with Uranus (4:16PM), Mercury trines Chiron (7:01PM), and Mercury forms a frictional, 45-degree connection with Vesta (9:18PM).  It is exceedingly rare to have a total of 11 significant solar, planetary and asteroid alignments all on one day when many days only have 1 or 2 and sometimes none. The list includes several 60-degree and 120-degree aspects which are primarily harmonious as they are based on hexagonal and triangular type geometry inside the circle of the zodiac. Thus, there are short windows for potential success across the board.  Nevertheless, the two 150-degree aspects (which often require an adjustment in attitudes and feelings), the Sun union with Mercury, as well as the Uranus-Pluto square, put this day into a category of red alert. Slow your pace across the board, avoid major signings and long-term agreements, and be extra sensitive to dear ones on the skids. [Note to readers: All times are calculated for Pacific Daylight Time. Be sure to adjust all times according to your own local time so the alignments noted above will be exact for your location.]

Your Daily Horoscopes for Monday, October 21st

Communication becomes bogged down today, even if we think we’re really clever. There may not be as much forward movement as we wish now that Mercury is retrograde. Loose ends fray and conversations tend to go awry during this three-week period. The mental intensity is kicked up a notch once the Moon enters witty Gemini at 12:13 pm EDT. Additionally, an independent Mars-Uranus alignment prompts us to break out of our routine and seek excitement.

Aries Horoscope

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You’re eager to blast off today, but the launch may be postponed due to circumstances beyond your control. Communication issues are emphasized when messenger Mercury begins its three-week retrograde phase. Conversations wander off track if you don’t have all the details in place. Although you might be inclined to take a direct approach, it’s helpful to allow time to assimilate your experiences before doing anything about them.

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

Problems may arise through a misunderstanding with a close friend or intimate partner today. Instead of just brushing conflict aside, it’s best to uncover the source of the disagreement and talk about it while it’s still fresh. Once you see where you went wrong, it will be easier to let it go and move on to something more positive. Extending an olive branch demonstrates your willingness to take the high road.

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

It makes sense today to stop running around from one distraction to another. You won’t get much done if you keep going at this breakneck speed. Unfortunately, you may be required to go back and redo what you didn’t do right the first time around. Paying attention to details now can prevent delays later on. Cultivate patience as a coping skill to help you adjust your pace. Slow and steady wins the race.

Cancer Horoscope

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

You’re through with struggling to keep your feet on the ground today. Fantasy is overtaking reality, which, ultimately, might turn out surprisingly well. The key is to enjoy your mental meanderings without necessarily acting on your feelings. You could run into trouble if you treat a dream as if it were real. There’s nothing wrong with using your imagination to entertain yourself as long as you remember your way back home.

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You’re motivated to get things out in the open, but you may be fighting an uphill battle as a family member or someone at home seems to be keeping secrets. Your lack of clarity could send you into a state of confusion, but you might not want others to know about your uncertainty. Thankfully, a vicious cycle of non-disclosure can be broken once you decide to openly share what’s on your mind. Don’t let pride get in the way of progress.

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Be extra careful as you schedule your time today, since you can’t afford to miss an appointment or get behind in your work. Still, your best intentions can fall short due to an uncharacteristic disregard to the details. Compensate for your current spacey behavior by writing everything down so you don’t forget what you need to remember.

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Although you might want to focus all your mental energy on a very practical issue now, it’s rather unlikely that you can prevent your mind from wandering all over the map. You may be distracted by your creative desires or by a less productive romantic interest. Don’t worry so much about what you accomplish today. Give yourself a gift; go ahead and entertain a playful diversion just for the fun of it.

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

You might feel as if you’re enveloped in a self-protective bubble today that insulates you from other people’s problems. But you’re not as safe as you think now that trickster Mercury turns retrograde while visiting your sign, creating the illusion of suspended time. You may be unsure of choices as your moods swing wide and fast, making it difficult to take definitive action. Be gentle with yourself until things settle down and you know which way to go.

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

You are a study in cosmic contradiction today as you soar into the highest spiritual realms of your imagination. At the same time, however, you are pulled into the emotional shadows where you aren’t as confident. Don’t try to choose one path over the other. If you do, your reverie might suddenly come to an end and you’ll be plunged back into the mundane world again. Oddly enough, you can be in both places at once if you keep both your mind and your heart open.

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Your impatience with overly emotional friends and coworkers can stir up more trouble than it’s worth today. You don’t want to interact with those who might get in the way of your productivity, but avoidance may not be possible. Others are merely reflecting your own subconscious tendencies now. Let go of your goals for a while and let yourself drift. Funny enough, sinking into your dreams will help you accomplish more in the long run.

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Instead of pushing forward on your career path, it might make more sense today to take a breather while you integrate your recent experiences. Taking time to regroup and consolidate during the next three weeks may be the best use of this Mercury retrograde phase. You will ultimately gain more ground if you have the wisdom now to relax and reassess your priorities.

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Dreamlike images flood your consciousness today, challenging you to untangle your desires from the real world. But your key planet, surreal Neptune, can easily inspire a spiritual breakthrough now or confuse you with its lack of focus. Don’t worry if the intuitive flashes are impossible to interpret; it may take a while to understand them. You’ll receive great insight about where to go next in your life if you recognize that your colorful visions are direct messages from your subconscious mind.

8 Ways to Deal With Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio

8 Ways to Deal With Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio

We’ve already covered Mercury Retrograde, and last month we talked about Mercury in Libra, but what happens when that Mercury decides to slow down a little bit, and in Scorpio of all places? It is a cosmic alignment worth a serious discussion, as this is another aspect in our horoscope that has the potential to wreak havoc in our lives, or miracles. Mercury is about communications and words, and the zodiac sign we know and love as Scorpio is about digging to the truth, so you can imagine, when Mercury slows down or goes retrograde in Scorpio, a LOT of stuff is going to come to the surface that is going to be just plain difficult to deal with. Or awesome. The good news? You get to decide. You’re in the captain’s chair. Here’s your handy action plan for navigating this murky aspect step by awkward step.

What does this aspect mean?

Generally speaking, Mercury is the planet that deals with journeys, transportation, technology, contracts, intelligence, and legal matters, coming to an almost stop in the most secretive and intense signs of them all. It’s an aspect that is going to last in our horoscope for two months. Normally Mercury doesn’t last that long in the individual zodiac signs, but when it is retrograde, as we previously discussed, it slows down. So essentially speaking when you have the planet of chit chat retrograde in the under the surface mysterious zodiac sign you are going to have a lot of…awkward conversations. Some of them will be amazing. And some of them will be just that. Awkward. How are you going to deal with it?

Key Themes

The key themes of any astrological aspect are the themes that will manifest in your life almost whether you want them to or not. These are themes that you may not be used to, or they may be themes you are very comfortable with. We address them here because knowing what the themes of Mercury in Scorpio are ahead of time will help. When one of these crops up in your life, you can go “ah hah! Mercury is still retrograde in Scorpio.”

  1. Digging for clues and hidden info. Suddenly you will want to know everything about everyone. You will ask intense questions during conversations with new people, as they will with you.
  2. Being guarded. As much as you will want to know things, you will want to keep things private. This is true Scorpio style. She doesn’t let her secrets go but will stop at nothing to get yours.  You won’t be able to avoid putting up a few walls now. But don’t be afraid to tear them down, secrets you reveal during this period are going to bring you closer to someone.

You’ll notice the two key themes of this aspect are in direct opposition to each other.  That’s the cosmic punch of Mercury retrograde in Scorpio! So how are you going to deal with this slow planet in this intense zodiac sign?

Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio Checklist

  • Mark these dates: From shadow period to shadow period we have this period in effect from October 21 to November 27. These are the dates you can expect the most of this chit chat and guarded activity.
  • Another date to note is the November 3 Eclipse. Meditate, meditate, meditate, for enlightenment on some of those secrets you’ve been trying to uncover!
  • Make note of “re” themes in this retrograde: re-edit, re-write, re-evaluate, re-imagine, re-consider, re-cover, re-vamp. You will be re-peating a lot of words, communication, messages, and even experiences. You will also be “reliving” a lot, and see a lot from your past come up. Get used to it!
  • With Mercury in a Water Sign expect your messages and communications to come in a variety of forms, not all of them conventional. Keep your dream journal handy, and pay attention to every life experience, waking or otherwise.
  • Make a list of the mysteries in your life that need to be solved. Are you looking for a family member? Have health concerns that puzzle you? Wondering about a soul connection? You have the cosmic energy now to solve those mysteries. Make a list and then begin tackling them.
  • Watch for signs and synchronicities. Scorpio is a very intuitive zodiac sign and depends almost exclusively on signs and synchronicities or happy coincidences to rule their lives. These will be abundant during this period, especially if you ask your angels and guides to send them to you. These signs are the key holders to the secrets you are looking to uncover.
  • Don’t be surprised if someone from your past shows up out of the blue. Scorpio is about soul connections, and these could be romantic or otherwise. Always look fabulous before you leave the house if this kind of surprise delights you. If it doesn’t, have a fail-safe statement to provide to anyone that may re-enter your life at any moment in the most unwelcome way. “Great to see you, wish I could chat but I’m on the way to meet my awesomely wealthy and gorgeous fiance have a nice life.”  This is precisely how Scorpio would handle it, and so must you, whether you are doing precisely that, or sitting on the couch and wishing you were.
  • Come from a place of Yes. This is a period where the more positive you are in your communications, vis a vis Mercury, the more miracles you will produce in your emotional life, vis a vis Scorpio. Come from a place of Yes. Or, a place of openness and acceptance. Don’t be so quick to say no if you are usually in the no place. Say yes first, you just never know WHAT is possible. Scorpio says yes until she gets what she wants and doesn’t even hear the word no. Your mission if you choose to accept it is to embrace all of the potential that Scorpio does every day. Aren’t you lucky! Your romantic partners will be too!

Many people fear the Mercury retrograde period showing up in their horoscope, but this month we get a little gift from our Mercury retrograde as it enters Scorpio during its slowest movement. This is exciting for anyone that’s ever wanted to be a Scorpio! During this time you can create some true miracles in your life by harnessing that powerful Scorpio intensity and passion with the gift of communication as only Mercury can do. What secrets are you hoping to uncover during this time?

Astrology Answers

Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio: Seeing in the Dark (Oct. 21st)

Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio: Seeing in the Dark

Dig deep to find new understanding and insight during this cycle…

Maria DeSimone   Maria DeSimone on the topics of scorpio, mercury retrograde, blogs, astrology 

Although I’m one of those astrologers who feels we talk about Mercury Retrograde excessively, I must admit: this particular retrograde cycle has me mesmerized. I feel as if we’re on the edge of glorious potential if we can channel it the right way. Thanks to this Mercury Retrograde phase we all have an opportunity to understand something about our lives with razor sharp perception that is shrouded in obscurity.

Allow me to explain…

The principle of communication and thought is governed by Mercury. When direct, these matters are strong and free to express themselves. When retrograde however, Mercury must slow down and internalize thoughts and ideas more before expressing them – or else risk jumbling his words up in a frustrating mess.

In Scorpio we have an interesting complexity. Scorpio favors depths and reaches into the pit of what makes you (and I) most uncomfortable, forcing us to look at it … and heal from it. But now Mercury (communication) will be retrograde in Scorpio (intensity and the dark side). This presents an unusual opportunity in my opinion. Now, we must all slow down and review whatever it is that we keep a secret. What are we hiding from our own consciousness? What are we afraid to admit to ourselves? This Mercury retrograde phase promises to ferret it out of us and deliver a chance to reconcile with darkness in our lives that we either truly don’t see or have tried desperately to sweep under the rug.

Time to clean up

Scorpio loves exposing our dirty messes. Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio will force you to think about it … to see it. To have a conversation with your darkness.

This is quite a karmic retrograde. Saturn is in Scorpio and Mercury will pass over the degree of Saturn on October 29 allowing us to make a revision in our minds as to how we want to handle this “dark matter.” If you make the right decision for your personal growth then guess what? There is a new beginning in store. On November 3 — while Mercury is still retrograde — we’ll have a Solar Eclipse in Scorpio. In addition, at the time of the eclipse Mercury Retrograde will be conjunct the North Node — a point in Astrology that speaks of life direction and where you are meant to lean towards in order to get there. Karmically, the universe is screaming at us to open wide and swallow the nasty medicine that will give us a new perspective. The nasty medicine is the uglier part of your life … the part that you might take great pains to hide from others. From yourself. Once you call yourself out on it something powerful will happen. You will be unrestricted from the grip that this darkness holds over you in your life. You’ll really feel this freedom after Mercury turns direct on November 10. Trust me.

If the Astrology coming up with Mercury Retrograde connected to Saturn, the North Node and a potent Solar Eclipse in Scorpio doesn’t tell you there is an opportunity to begin anew and see the light once you take a life review of your darkness then I don’t know what will.

Taking a stand

Imagine yourself a child, trying to go to sleep. It’s dark and you are alone … afraid. Is the boogeyman with you? Is there a monster in your closet? You tremble in your bed with your eyes shut tight, clutching your blanket over your head. You are sweating, panicked. You can’t escape this fear.

Then, in an act of bravado you pull the blanket away from your eyes and open them wide, staring fiercely into the darkness (Mercury retrograde in Scorpio!). Everything is quiet. And then slowly, you look around. You realize something. The darkness isn’t such a bad place after all. It provides a discreet yet penetrating glimpse into your soul.

Besides, it’s the only way you’ll ever see the light of day.

Your Daily Cosmic Calendar for October 8th

As mentioned in yesterday’s calendar entry, it is wise to curtail decision-making in the early going today as a lingering void lunar cycle in Scorpio (until 5:23AM) combines with a potentially surprising-shocking 150-degree tie between Mercury and Uranus (12:12AM). It is better to rest, sleep or take a time-out than to pursue objectives without considering the consequences. In general, when a void lunar uncertainty zone occurs with one or more highly-charged and difficult celestial alignments, it is wise to refrain from taking forceful actions that are more likely to fail than succeed.  The good news this morning starts arriving once the Moon enters ebullient, fiery Sagittarius (5:23AM) and then unites with Venus (6:57AM). Utilize this lunar rapport with Venus to spring forward with artistic and social ventures. Erotic, romantic vibrations are also on the upswing.  However, 5+ hours after the Moon-Venus rendezvous in the heavens, a very different alignment takes center stage when Mercury unites with Saturn in Scorpio (12:40PM). There is always a serious component to any Mercury-Saturn merger and this conjunction will repeat on October 29 and November 25 due to the upcoming Mercury retrograde cycle occurring from October 21 to November 10.  Mercury with Saturn — while sometimes veering toward pessimism and worry — can provide genius on the professional front and especially regarding understanding mathematics and physics. [Albert Einstein was born with an exact Mercury-Saturn union in pioneering Aries.] Look for breakthroughs in higher consciousness and the arrival of intuitive flashes of insight as the Moon trines Uranus (10:56PM). [Note to readers: All times are calculated for Pacific Daylight Time. Be sure to adjust all times according to your own local time so the alignments noted above will be exact for your location.]

Your Hot, Hot, Hot Fall Love Horoscopes for 2013

Fall Love Horoscopes 2013

As the temperature drops, your love life could heat up…

Maria DeSimone                Maria DeSimone on the topics of astrology, venus, mars, love, horoscopes, fall equinox

Autumn is coming and you’re probably craving long, cozy walks with your sweetheart. Preferably in the early evening — just when it gets cool enough for the two of you to have another excuse to snuggle in tight. Whether you’re flying solo and dreaming of romance or, if you’ve already got your hands full with someone you love, this fall there’s certainly enough Astrology happening to offer something for everyone. Between eclipse season, another Mercury Retrograde and a fascinating trend with the love planet Venus starting in November, you simply must be “in the know” about what the stars have in store for you … and your heart this fall! Read on to learn how hot your fall is really going to get!

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

This fall, you will certainly have a focus on partnership. It all begins on October 18 when a Lunar Eclipse falls in your sign offering you significant emotional fulfillment, or illumination about a personal relationship. You might feel as if you’ve found your spiritual equal if you’re newly dating someone thanks to a gorgeous trine between Venus in Sagittarius to Uranus in Aries just a couple days earlier on October 16. By December 7, your ruling planet, Mars, will enter your 7th House of Partnership for an unusual, extended visit. In fact, once we get to 2014, he’ll turn retrograde and then your relationship rehab will begin in earnest! During the last days of fall however, you and your mate might find that you’re quarreling more than usual. Ask yourself if you’re stirring up the pot just to keep things interesting or if there’s really a deeper issue at hand. Be honest with yourself.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

You are about to enter one of the most glorious, pleasurable cycles possible for love and sex, Taurus. Are you ready? Mars, the planet that rules your libido, will enter your 5th House of Romance and Play on October 15 where he’ll remain until December 7. This once-in-two-year-cycle will offer you an opportunity to frolic around — or fool around — with someone special. Enjoy more date nights and entertainment — you deserve it! A notable Solar Eclipse will fall in your 7th House of Partnership on November 3 and for those of you attached Taureans who feel stuck in a stale relationship, there might be an opportunity for a new start.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

This time around, Mercury Retrograde will only affect your love life if you’re wrapped up in a tricky office romance. From October 21 to November 10 Mercury will backtrack through your 6th House of Work and yes, miscommunication is possible in this area of your life. This might be a good time to keep work and play separate — at least temporarily. Thankfully, love potential will be quite exciting this fall for you! On October 7 until November 5 Venus will tour your 7th House of Partnership and any Geminis who are already attached will enjoy an extra harmonious time (even with Mercury Retrograde)! Then, on December 7, sexy Mars will slide into your 7th House of True Love offering a stimulating (and extra-long) cycle when it comes to dating and having fun in the bedroom!

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

You’re floating on cloud nine these days, Cancer. In fact, you may feel as if you’ve got the world by its tail thanks to lucky Jupiter touring your sign. Blessings are likely to extend to your love life, especially as we get to the gorgeous Solar Eclipse on November 3. This eclipse will light up your 5th House of Expression and help breathe new life into your romantic happenings. Saturn is also in this part of your chart, but will enjoy the support of Jupiter in your sign as well as the eclipse energy to help bring stable, enduring love potential your way. In fact, Venus will enter your 7th House of Committed Partnerships on November 5 for an unusually long stay that will last until March of 2014! You can certainly count on revisions in the love department (most likely with a happy ending). With Mercury also retrograde in your 5th House of True Love from October 21 to November 10 it’s possible that this new love energy will arrive from an old flame who wants to start over. Be open to the possibilities.

Leo (July. 23 – Aug. 22)

You’ll kick things off with such heat this fall you might not want to believe the season is actually changing! Mars, the planet of assertive drive — including your sex drive — will be in your sign until October 15, allowing you to work your “sexy” factor. You’ll notice plenty of courage and stamina to pursue anyone who’s made your heart skip a beat. Love gets even better between October 7 and November 5 as Venus enters your 5th House of Love and Play. Expect romantic prospects at every turn. If, by some chance you’re still single, a gorgeous New Moon in your 5th house on December 2 should put an end to lonely nights once and for all.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)

Fall will definitely be your season for love! Whether you’re single or attached, romantic prospects will surely intensify. The headline news is that Venus will enter Capricorn and your 5th House of True Love on November 5 and will not leave this area of your chart until March 6, 2014! Why the unusually long visit? Venus will turn retrograde leading to a very special focus on matters of the heart for you. The retrograde won’t actually happen until the Winter Solstice, but during the fall you’ll want to pay close attention to developments in your love life. It will be the situations that happen in this fall that you’ll be revising your approach to come winter. On November 7 you and someone you’re casually dating may decide to take your relationship to the next level. On November 15 Venus will cozy up to Pluto and you can surely anticipate a fated love connection if single. If attached, sparks will FLY with you and your mate!

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)

A telling Lunar Eclipse on October 18 will illuminate the status of a close personal relationship. The truth is that you and your partner might no longer be on the same wavelength in many areas and have already spent time and energy trying to reconcile these differences. At eclipse time you’ll know whether or not your efforts have been in vain. Relief is possible however if communication lines are clear. This is due to a helpful trine between Venus in your 3rd House of Communication to Uranus, now in your 7th House of Partnerships. A mutual agreement about changing the paradigm of your relationship to one that’s less traditional might be exactly what you need to salvage it. The Full Moon in Taurus on November 17 will illuminate your 8th House of Intimacy. Will the events that transpire this fall lead you to build a wall even higher than before or will they allow you to trust and reveal yourself completely? Only you can decide.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21)

This fall you can expect an “all or nothing” approach to love. Venus will be in your sign until October 7 prompting you to have a mesmerizing effect on anyone you want to attract your way. Mercury will turn retrograde in Scorpio however and from October 21 to November 10 you might stumble on your words more than usual. This could prove to be tricky if you hope to have an important conversation with someone special. If a significant decision or vital dialogue must happen between the two of you try to time it as close as possible to November 7 when you’ll have the support of Venus in your 3rd House of Communication at a friendly sextile to Neptune in your 5th House of Love and Play. Even if Mercury is retrograde at least on this day, your lover will be more forgiving of any communication mishaps. The main event however, will be a Solar Eclipse in your sign on November 3. If you’re ready to take a relationship to the next level you’ll push ahead with unstoppable force.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)

Matters of the heart will become a strong focus for you this fall once we enter eclipse season. On October 18 a Lunar Eclipse in Aries will light up your 5th House of True Love. A casual (possibly torrid) affair may end during this time — particularly if things have been rocky. Alternatively, if you’re dating someone new and your feelings are growing stronger by the day, this eclipse might prompt you to make an emotionally open declaration of love. Venus will help you since she’ll grace your sign from October 7 — November 5. During this time you’ll look more beautiful than ever and will enjoy astounding confidence. This can’t help but translate into greater powers of attraction. Lucky you: you’re sexy and you know it!

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)

Your love life might seem quiet as we begin the fall season but don’t be fooled — there’s plenty of activity in store. It all begins on November 5 when Venus enters Capricorn. Typically this is a cycle where you’ll enjoy greater powers of attraction and will also look and feel more beautiful. The fascinating difference between this year’s visit of Venus to Capricorn however is that Venus will turn retrograde (on December 21) and will not leave Capricorn until March 6, 2014! This fall you must take careful notes about what transpires for you in matters of the heart as well as your overall concept of love. While everything might seem extra special now, you’ll need to practically re-assess where you are in terms of love come winter. There are gorgeous indications this fall however, that you’ll be in a happy place when it comes to romance. On November 7 Venus will be at a gorgeous angle to Neptune helping you open up to a spiritual connection with your mate. Then, on November 15 Venus will be conjunct Pluto making it clear that when it comes to love, you’ll settle for nothing less than absolute intensity! The Full Moon in Taurus on November 17 will lead to an emotional climax between you and someone special.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18)

You might start off on a rough patch this fall when it comes to partnership. If you’re in a committed relationship, you’ll feel this most. Mars, the planet of action but also strife, will continue to move through your 7th House of Partnerships until October 15. After this date you’ll notice fewer arguments between you and your mate but until then, expect plenty of heat. Mercury will move retrograde from October 21 until November 10 and since Mercury rules your 5th house of Romance it’s possible that you’ll experience a few miscommunications during this time. Since Mercury will retrograde through your 10th House of Reputation, be careful about being the subject of salacious gossip. On December 17 a Full Moon in your 5th house will bring an emotionally charged situation between you and your lover to light. For better or worse, expect a turning point.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20)

If you’re single and looking for love, or, if you’re dating someone new, expect the fall to be filled with romantic potential. Jupiter, the planet of expansion and abundance, will continue to move through your 5th House of True Love — a once in twelve year event! With a transit like this you might very well find the love of your life! When Venus trines Jupiter on September 26 you’ll have an even sweeter opportunity for love. If you’re already attached, Mars will enter your 7th House of Partnerships on October 15 and will remain here until December 7. There might be more arguments than usual, or you might decide to speak up for yourself with a greater amount of aggression. The funny thing is that on October 19 when Mars opposes Neptune you and your mate might scratch your foreheads in confusion, wondering what the heck it really is that you’re fighting about after all. Don’t sweat the small stuff!

Fall Love Horoscopes 2013

Fall Love Horoscopes 2013

As the temperature drops, your love life could heat up…

Maria DeSimone  Maria DeSimone on the topics of mars, venus, horoscopes, love, fall equinox

Now that it’s Autumn, you’re probably craving long, cozy walks with your sweetheart. Preferably in the early evening — just when it gets cool enough for the two of you to have another excuse to snuggle in tight. Whether you’re flying solo and dreaming of romance or, if you’ve already got your hands full with someone you love, this Fall there’s certainly enough astrology happening to offer something for everyone. Between eclipse season, another Mercury Retrograde and a fascinating trend with the love planet Venus starting in November, you simply must be “in the know” about what the stars have in store for you … and your heart this fall! Read on to learn how hot your fall is really going to get!

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

This fall, you will certainly have a focus on partnership. It all begins on October 18 when a Lunar Eclipse falls in your sign offering you significant emotional fulfillment, or illumination about a personal relationship. You might feel as if you’ve found your spiritual equal if you’re newly dating someone thanks to a gorgeous trine between Venus in Sagittarius to Uranus in Aries just a couple days earlier on October 16. By December 7, your ruling planet, Mars, will enter your 7th House of Partnership for an unusual, extended visit. In fact, once we get to 2014, he’ll turn retrograde and then your relationship rehab will begin in earnest! During the last days of fall however, you and your mate might find that you’re quarreling more than usual. Ask yourself if you’re stirring up the pot just to keep things interesting or if there’s really a deeper issue at hand. Be honest with yourself.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

You are about to enter one of the most glorious, pleasurable cycles possible for love and sex, Taurus. Are you ready? Mars, the planet that rules your libido, will enter your 5th House of Romance and Play on October 15 where he’ll remain until December 7. This once-in-two-year-cycle will offer you an opportunity to frolic around — or fool around — with someone special. Enjoy more date nights and entertainment — you deserve it! A notable Solar Eclipse will fall in your 7th House of Partnership on November 3 and for those of you attached Taureans who feel stuck in a stale relationship, there might be an opportunity for a new start.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

This time around, Mercury Retrograde will only affect your love life if you’re wrapped up in a tricky office romance. From October 21 to November 10 Mercury will backtrack through your 6th House of Work and yes, miscommunication is possible in this area of your life. This might be a good time to keep work and play separate — at least temporarily. Thankfully, love potential will be quite exciting this Fall for you! On October 7 until November 5 Venus will tour your 7th House of Partnership and any Gemini’s who are already attached will enjoy an extra harmonious time (even with Mercury Retrograde)! Then, on December 7, sexy Mars will slide into your 7th House of True Love offering a stimulating (and extra-long) cycle when it comes to dating and having fun in the bedroom!

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

You’re floating on cloud nine these days, Cancer. In fact, you may feel as if you’ve got the world by its tail thanks to lucky Jupiter touring your sign. Blessings are likely to extend to your love life, especially as we get to the gorgeous Solar Eclipse on November 3. This eclipse will light up your 5th House of Expression and help breathe new life into your romantic happenings. Saturn is also in this part of your chart, but will enjoy the support of Jupiter in your sign as well as the eclipse energy to help bring stable, enduring love potential your way. In fact, Venus will enter your 7th House of Committed Partnerships on November 5 for an unusually long stay that will last until March of 2014! You can certainly count on revisions in the love department (most likely with a happy ending). With Mercury also retrograde in your 5th House of True Love from October 21 to November 10 it’s possible that this new love energy will arrive from an old flame who wants to start over. Be open to the possibilities.

Leo (July. 23 – Aug. 22)

You’ll kick things off with such heat this fall you might not want to believe the season is actually changing! Mars, the planet of assertive drive — including your sex drive — will be in your sign until October 15, allowing you to work your “sexy” factor. You’ll notice plenty of courage and stamina to pursue anyone who’s made your heart skip a beat. Love gets even better between October 7 and November 5 as Venus enters your 5th House of Love and Play. Expect romantic prospects at every turn. If, by some chance you’re still single, a gorgeous New Moon in your 5th house on December 2 should put an end to lonely nights once and for all.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)

Fall will definitely be your season for love! Whether you’re single or attached, romantic prospects will surely intensify. The headline news is that Venus will enter Capricorn and your 5th House of True Love on November 5 and will not leave this area of your chart until March 6, 2014! Why the unusually long visit? Venus will turn retrograde leading to a very special focus on matters of the heart for you. The retrograde won’t actually happen until the Winter Solstice, but during the fall you’ll want to pay close attention to developments in your love life. It will be the situations that happen in this fall that you’ll be revising your approach to come winter. On November 7 you and someone you’re casually dating may decide to take your relationship to the next level. On November 15 Venus will cozy up to Pluto and you can surely anticipate a fated love connection if single. If attached, sparks will FLY with you and your mate!

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)

A telling Lunar Eclipse on October 18 will illuminate the status of a close personal relationship. The truth is that you and your partner might no longer be on the same wavelength in many areas and have already spent time and energy trying to reconcile these differences. At eclipse time you’ll know whether or not your efforts have been in vain. Relief is possible however if communication lines are clear. This is due to a helpful trine between Venus in your 3rd House of Communication to Uranus, now in your 7th House of Partnerships. A mutual agreement about changing the paradigm of your relationship to one that’s less traditional might be exactly what you need to salvage it. The Full Moon in Taurus on November 17 will illuminate your 8th House of Intimacy. Will the events that transpire this fall lead you to build a wall even higher than before or will they allow you to trust and reveal yourself completely? Only you can decide.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21)

This fall you can expect an “all or nothing” approach to love. Venus will be in your sign until October 7 prompting you to have a mesmerizing effect on anyone you want to attract your way. Mercury will turn retrograde in Scorpio however and from October 21 to November 10 you might stumble on your words more than usual. This could prove to be tricky if you hope to have an important conversation with someone special. If a significant decision or vital dialogue must happen between the two of you try to time it as close as possible to November 7 when you’ll have the support of Venus in your 3rd House of Communication at a friendly sextile to Neptune in your 5th House of Love and Play. Even if Mercury is retrograde at least on this day, your lover will be more forgiving of any communication mishaps. The main event however, will be a Solar Eclipse in your sign on November 3. If you’re ready to take a relationship to the next level you’ll push ahead with unstoppable force.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)

Matters of the heart will become a strong focus for you this fall once we enter eclipse season. On October 18 a Lunar Eclipse in Aries will light up your 5th House of True Love. A casual (possibly torrid) affair may end during this time — particularly if things have been rocky. Alternatively, if you’re dating someone new and your feelings are growing stronger by the day, this eclipse might prompt you to make an emotionally open declaration of love. Venus will help you since she’ll grace your sign from October 7 — November 5. During this time you’ll look more beautiful than ever and will enjoy astounding confidence. This can’t help but translate into greater powers of attraction. Lucky you: you’re sexy and you know it!

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)

Your love life might seem quiet as we begin the fall season but don’t be fooled — there’s plenty of activity in store. It all begins on November 5 when Venus enters Capricorn. Typically this is a cycle where you’ll enjoy greater powers of attraction and will also look and feel more beautiful. The fascinating difference between this year’s visit of Venus to Capricorn however is that Venus will turn retrograde (on December 21) and will not leave Capricorn until March 6, 2014! This Fall you must take careful notes about what transpires for you in matters of the heart as well as your overall concept of love. While everything might seem extra special now, you’ll need to practically re-assess where you are in terms of love come winter. There are gorgeous indications this fall however, that you’ll be in a happy place when it comes to romance. On November 7 Venus will be at a gorgeous angle to Neptune helping you open up to a spiritual connection with your mate. Then, on November 15 Venus will be conjunct Pluto making it clear that when it comes to love, you’ll settle for nothing less than absolute intensity! The Full Moon in Taurus on November 17 will lead to an emotional climax between you and someone special.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18)

You might start off on a rough patch this fall when it comes to partnership. If you’re in a committed relationship, you’ll feel this most. Mars, the planet of action but also strife, will continue to move through your 7th House of Partnerships until October 15. After this date you’ll notice fewer arguments between you and your mate but until then, expect plenty of heat. Mercury will move retrograde from October 21 until November 10 and since Mercury rules your 5th house of Romance it’s possible that you’ll experience a few miscommunications during this time. Since Mercury will retrograde through your 10th House of Reputation, be careful about being the subject of salacious gossip. On December 17 a Full Moon in your 5th house will bring an emotionally charged situation between you and your lover to light. For better or worse, expect a turning point.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20)

If you’re single and looking for love, or, if you’re dating someone new, expect the fall to be filled with romantic potential. Jupiter, the planet of expansion and abundance, will continue to move through your 5th House of True Love — a once in twelve year event! With a transit like this you might very well find the love of your life! When Venus trines Jupiter on September 26 you’ll have an even sweeter opportunity for love. If you’re already attached, Mars will enter your 7th House of Partnerships on October 15 and will remain here until December 7. There might be more arguments than usual, or you might decide to speak up for yourself with a greater amount of aggression. The funny thing is that on October 19 when Mars opposes Neptune you and your mate might scratch your foreheads in confusion, wondering what the heck it really is that you’re fighting about after all. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Living Life As The Witch: Surviving Mercury’s Retrogrades

Surviving Mercury’s Retrogrades

The Roman god Mercury (Hermes to the Greeks) is the messenger of the gods—the link between spirit and matter, between soul and personality. Mercury symbolizes the power of communication, reasoning capacities and the ability to perceive relationships and gather facts. Mercury narrates, talks argues, debates, writes, analyzes, memorizes, studies travels, sells, reflects, and expresses itself through the hands as well as the tongue. Mercury is the magician and the trickster, two sides of the same coin, both inclined to be hard teachers. As a master of the hidden realms, Mercury confounds us with unexpected information and events and challenges our habitual perceptions. He also surprises us with unexpected gifts and new possibilities. If we like the surprises, we call it magick; if we don’t, we call it bad luck. Either way, the result is to jar us from the inertia of our routines and move us out of the mundane. So when the planet is retrograde, we can expect things “ruled” by Mercury to go haywire; it’s just another way Mercury is providing lessons.

Mercury retrograde periods are plagued by indecision, bad timing, delays, communication errors, and mechanical problems. Although many of us particularly notice computer problems during this time frame. Uranus is the planet that rules electronic devices, including computers. But since so much of our communication is conducted via computer, Mercury’s influence has expanded.

For many of us, knowing when Mercury goes retrograde can be a sanity saver. We can mark retrograde periods on our calendars so we won’t throw parties, write letters, buy electronics (or pets), sign contracts or take a new job. If nothing else, it’s a time to take extra care that what you say is understood as you meant it to be. For years, it was a time when I battened down the hatches and rode out the messed up energies.

No longer. Now I use the retrograde energies of Mercury in ways that the work like a kind of cosmic aikido move. Doing so has transformed nine weeks of my year into positive, productive times and my frustration level has decreased dramatically.

The key is to remember that Mercury retrograde is a time for “re” doing things. So it is a wonderful time for anything based on research, planning, examination of resources and completing projects. You don’t want to start anything new during Mercury retrograde, but if there is a project hanging out there that you haven’t gotten around to finishing, this is the perfect time to return to it.

Mercury retrograde is not my favorite time of the year, but I’m a lot less stressed about it now that I’ve learned some strategies for using the backward energy to my advantage.

Excerpt from:
Dancing with Mercury,
Backwards: Do More Than Just Survive Mercury
Retrograde
By Lisa McSherry
Llewellyn’s 2013 Magical Almanac for Every Day Living

It’s Mercury Retrograde: Election Day in Jeopardy & Turkey Day Havoc

Wild Turkey! It’s Mercury Retrograde!

Mercury messes with Election Day and Thanksgiving

Tarotcom Staff on the topics of thanksgiving, mercury retrograde, mercury, astrology

Once again, Mercury goes retrograde as we kick off the holiday season. The trickster planet will spin backward in Sagittarius and Scorpio from November 6 to November 26, putting Election Day in jeopardy and playing turkey-lurkey with all our Thanksgiving planning, travel, cooking and communications.

The bad news is that ballots could be miscounted during the United States Presidential Election, or even worse — Thanksgiving dinner could be sabotaged if the oven breaks midway through cooking the turkey!

But the good news is you can prepare — just as you take time to prepare that big holiday meal, you can also take time to prepare for MRx.

This time of year can be stressful even when Mercury isn’t retrograde, so it’s more important than ever to double-check details, like having your car serviced before heading out for the holiday, and being mindful of miscommunications that could happen with airline, hotel and dinner reservations.

Vote early!

You’ll want to vote early so your ballot doesn’t get lost in the mail, and you might also want to double-check that you marked off the right box on your voting ballot. You don’t want to accidentally vote for the wrong people or measures in such an important election year.

Misunderstandings are possible now, too. So you might hear about arguments taking place in the voting booths or at the ballot counting stations, or over the Thanksgiving dinner table.

With Mercury going retrograde in Sagittarius, one of the most blunt and direct signs, and then spinning further back into Scorpio, one of the most secretive signs, it could get more confusing than ever.

But the most important thing to remember is that Mercury Retrograde offers us all a period in which we can slow down, reflect and learn a few lessons.  That theme parallels the whole point of Thanksgiving, right? So go ahead and give thanks for Mercury Retrograde!

But it’s not all bad news. Mercury will be retrograde in the sunny sign of Sagittarius, which ensures we’ll have a better sense of humor if things do go wrong. And a New Moon Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius late Thanksgiving day adds an extra dose of detail-oriented energy to help prevent too many things from going wrong.

Mercury Retrograde in Aries Horoscopes, How Will This Affect You?

Mercury Retrograde in Aries Horoscopes

How the trickster planet’s backward spin will hit your zodiac sign from March 30 – April 23

Mercury joins expansive Jupiter on April 11 and impatient Mars on April 19, days in which it will be crucial to slow down, think before you speak and act, and consider what you’re taking on vs. what you can actually take on. On the plus side, you might also see old concepts in a different light, which can breathe new life into old habits or projects.

How may this Mercury Retrograde in Aries affect you?

Aries (March 21 – April 19)
The communication planet’s backward turn in your sign makes it harder for you to get your message across. Others tend to misread your intentions, especially when you are in a hurry and don’t express yourself clearly. Be especially careful on April 19 when Mercury joins your impulsive ruling planet Mars. You could say something that you’ll regret later due to your spontaneous outbursts of thoughts and feelings.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
Mercury’s retrograde turn in your 12th House of Privacy can stir up secrets from the past. Confidentiality must be respected because a simple slip of the tongue can be embarrassing. On the plus side, this is an excellent time for meditation and reflection if you take a step back for a more objective perspective. Taking a break or time-out for yoga or relaxation between April 11 and April 19 could be just the re-charge you’ll need to endure the last few days of the retrograde period.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)
Miscommunication and confusion with friends and colleagues is expected with Mercury retrograde in your 11th House of Groups. Teamwork may become more challenging, but this period is a favorable one for reconnecting with an old pal or someone with whom you’ve worked in the past. If you can maintain a sense of organization and togetherness, your relationships could become greater — if not, the opposite may be the case.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
Mixed messages in your professional life are more likely while communicative Mercury is retrograde in your 10th House of Career. Avoid taking on new responsibilities without proper planning. It’s better to delay projects until you’ve laid down a solid foundation than to take on more than you can handle. The pressure could be enough to catapult you in a better direction at work, or in a personal relationship, especially between April 11 and April 19.

Leo (July 23 – August 22)
Travel and communication to and with faraway places are likely to be complicated with Mercury’s retrograde passage in your 9th House of Travel. Education issues are also more complex during this transit, requiring greater attention to detail if you want avoid scheduling and study issues. Use this time to focus your strengths on improvement, rather than succumbing to the building pressures of schoolwork, or your job – so that you can more easily escape, mentally and physically, after the retrograde period.

Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
Retrograde Mercury in your 8th House of Deep Sharing can kick up relationship issues that you thought were already settled, which can lead to sudden confusion and ultimate frustration. Renegotiations in personal and business matters may be required to overcome different points of view — but don’t let yourself be rushed by impatient and irresponsible people. Be the bigger person when discrepancies are left unsolved.

Libra (September 23 – October 22)
Mercury’s retrograde turn in your 7th House of Partners revives relationship questions that you thought were already settled. Past romances, flings and acquaintances you left behind may spring up once again, causing you to interact with unlikely figures. Getting off to rocky starts with new people is also possible. Standing up for yourself may require more effort, but it’s better than letting things slide until they’re too late to fix; this could make you a stronger and more confident in the end.

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)
Mercury retrograde in your 6th House of Work could stir up confusion on the job, especially if new systems are being put into place. Watch for technological snafus and disorganization in your professional and personal life. Be extra careful around April 11 when a tense Mars-Pluto square spurs conflict unless you are willing to alter some old habits or ways of doing business.

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)
Mercury’s retrograde turn in your 5th House of Romance should stir memories of love that make you nostalgic for the past. Just make sure you are prepared to deal with the emotions that could easily begin to resurface, and the actions that may result in your sudden desires. On the other hand, you can also use this time to revive old creative interests and hobbies that have been put to the side. Reconnecting with forms of recreation you’ve left behind inspires a sense of playfulness and joy.

Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)
Family matters you thought were long finished may return to demand your attention. Although it’s frustrating to address something that was once settled, you may be able to produce an even better outcome this time around, clearing the way for stronger working relationships with family and friends. Home repairs and maintenance are other useful activities during this cycle.

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)
Retrograde Mercury in your 3rd House of Communication tends to complicate conversations and muddle messages. Slow down when you speak if you want to be understood and take the time to listen to others more carefully, as arguments are readily sparked with a few wrong worlds. Before you know it, a small disagreement could turn into something much bigger during this time, so make sure to absorb emotions before releasing them.

Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
Mercury retrograde in your 2nd House of Resources could play havoc with your accounting. Spending impulsively is especially risky now, so avoid any serious expenses now — you won’t want to deal with the debt accrued during this retrograde period when stress runs higher than usual. Re-evaluating your abilities, though, could reveal underused talents that may be ripe for revival, leading to even more ways in which to make some unexpected income.