SURVIVING THE

MERCURY RETROGRADES

January 11th - February 1st

  It is simply a phenomena that we simply have to live with....so we might as well learn ways to work with it.

  As most of us know.....Mercury refers to the "Planet of communication" and 3-4 times per year it turns retrograde.  Once you actually know it is happening, things start to become somewhat funny as you watch all the MIS-communication that will go on around you.

  Everyone experiences this mercury retrograde at the same time...which makes it even more difficult.  Because not only do you not understand what the person next to you is saying....they haven't a sweet clue what you are saying either. 

   As I have mentioned so many times before in the various articles, one major way to identify when there is something going on with the various planets - watch the government.  They seem to be famous for picking the most IN-opportune times to hold discussions. (My last article  "Planets come to play" will explain that a little better)......

   I often have clients email me to ask - - How can I make it through unscathed during this time.   Here's a bit of a listing to help you through the Mercury Retro's......

   1. SLOW DOWN -  you are not as clear as you may think you are - realize that things aren't 'computing' as well.  Information isn't being processed as fast for yourself and/or others around you.  Take your time to make sure that what you are verbally saying....is what you actually do mean.

        I actually realized this on Monday when I went to the music shop to buy piano books for my students.  As I was at the checkout I asked the cashier about the music stands and I was 'pointing' to a piano bench.  He said "I don't see a music stand there".  I was a little exasperated...how could he NOT see!  I said - "Soooo....do you see the keyboards"  He said "Yes".   I said  "Do you see the guitar next to it?"  He said "Yes".  I said...."Then you must see the music stand next to that".  He said "Nooooo"  We walked over to it......and it was actually a piano "bench" I was talking about...which he DID see <ggls>  Sooo...ya know...communication was wayyyy off....ehhh....mainly my fault!

    2.  GIVE YOURSELF MORE TIME FOR EVERYTHING -  its quite possible during this time that your computer may freeze and not accept information you are trying to get.  Its quite possible your cell phone battery may die.  Anything to do with communication can be just an annoyance....but if you allow yourself a sense of humor....it becomes quite funny.  Its even MORE funny when you say "ohhh..yeah...its a Mercury Retrograde".  The lady behind the Zellars cash register looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language....how could she NOT know?  <w>

    3. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CATCHING UP WITH PEOPLE FROM THE PAST - Mercury retrograde is a great time to catch up with old friends.  Its also a great time to 'work' on a project as long as you don't roll out the project until AFTER the retrograde finishes.  Also it is important that the project has already been started previous to this time.  You are simply doing some research or such.

         Don't START a project on the Mercury Retrograde....as it is guaranteed not to go as planned.  I have yet to see a project that was started during a Mercury Retrograde that ever rolled out as one assumed it would.

     4.  AVOID MAKING IMPORTANT DECISIONS -  if this can be circumvented in some way...its best to wait.   Its difficult to tie up any loose ends during this time period.

         I suggest to people that if at all possible - hold off getting blood work done during this time period (again I say - if it is 'safe' to do so).  I have seen a number of blood work come back incorrectly during this time period.

         This also includes finding a job.....when going to an interview - -be extremely cautious on what is being said through the interview.  Make notes to ask about it AFTER the Mercury Retrograde is over.

      5. AVOID SIGNING LEGAL DOCUMENTS - I advise people to try and really avoid this as much as possible.  I have seen too many times that people did not heed this warning and became a loser of a contract somehow.....because they didn't take the time to 'see' or 'read' the actual fine print.  Step AWAY from the court system during this time is always my advice.  I have even advised clients to change their court dates if possible to avoid this time.  Just not worth the hassle to go through and then see everything is completely incorrect.  Why put yourself through it.

       6. WHAT YOU START NOW WILL COME BACK TO HAUNT YOU - almost sounds like some horror flick.  But what happens is...when we make some decision through the mercury retrograde...if it is going to blow up in our face...it will at the NEXT mercury retrograde in about 3-4 months time.

            A lot of years back...I actually had high-speed put in my home during a Mercury retrograde (okay..I never said I was brainy in any way <snickers).....and EVERY time we had a mercury retrograde after that....the high speed would go down  grrrrrrrr.  You can be guaranteed...I didn't do that this time with my new computer.  I actually waited a full month AFTER the Mercury retrograde was over in order to have it installed.

          But this can also relate to any house-hold things you may buy during this time.  I had a client buy a refrigerator during this time period....and lo and behold...every mercury retrograde the refrigerator would cut in and out......until finally after a year the client decided to return it for a newer model purchased at a different time.

         Have fun.....this too shall pass!!!  I promise!!!!

                                                                                                 Holly Poole

                                                                                                       Professional Astrologer