Witchy Wednesday: Mercury Retrograde Survival Kit

Mercury is about to go retrograde again, and people tend to panic when this takes place. For whatever reason, this particular planetary rx seems to be the most well-known, but not necessarily best understood.

Mercury will be in retrograde from September 17 - October 9, 2015 in the air sign of Libra. This planet, according to astrology, rules all types of communication; including listening, speaking, learning, reading, editing, researching, negotiating, selling, and buying. Mercury also rules all formal contracts and agreements, as well as important documents such as book manuscripts or term papers, agreements, deeds, contracts, leases, wills, and so forth. It also includes all types of code, including computer codes, as well as transportation, shipping, and travel. When this planet retrogrades, these areas tend to get scrambled or spin out of control.

Here are some of the things most astrologers recommend:

• Avoid anything involving communications, such as launching a magazine, website, or an advertising or publicity campaign.
• Do not sign any contracts or even to shake hands on any new agreements. Do not close on a house during this time nor sign a lease. Verbal agreements are considered the same as written ones. The environment will be quite fluid and changeable, no matter what you are told or what you think.
• If you start a new job, it won't necessarily be the position you thought it was when you accepted it. If you are a manager, you will have difficulty choosing the right candidate for the job, so, if you can, hold off hiring anyone. 
• If you buy a house, problems could crop up later that were completely unanticipated.
• Do not have plastic or elective surgery during this time.
• Be extra careful to read and re-read important documents. Make sure you take your time in constructing emails, letters, etc... if you send a fax, follow up with a phone call to ensure it arrived.
• Try to avoid buying/selling anything expensive.
• If using a GPS, be sure the maps are up to date before the retrograde begins. Bring a printed map if driving, to be on the safe side.
• You can take a trip for pleasure during these periods. Actually, this could be a perfect time to go, for you get away from it all, and everyone back at the office will "feel" the retrograde - they will miss your quick problem-solving ability and advice while you are away! During a retrograde phase, you might want to travel to a place from your childhood that you loved but haven't seen in a long time. It could be lots of fun because going back to places you knew is favored.
• Forgetfulness can be a problem during retrogrades. You are more likely to leave your airline ticket or passport on your desk rather than put it in your pocket; leave your cell phone, sunglasses, or gloves in the back seat of a cab; or lock yourself out of your car or house. 
• Spellcasters should be cautious about performing spells during this time. They can backfire or have an unintended effect. Magic and the gods are not immune from communication chaos that this Rx brings.
• For those of us who perform divination, it's a two-edged sword. Retrogrades are friendly toward feeling, not thinking. Feelings, impressions and intuition are likely to be more sensitive during a retrograde. They are also likely to be quite accurate - until you think it through. Over-analyzing, and re-interpreting your initial intuitive wisdom makes it just as susceptible to error as doing paperwork. The more you think, the less you know.

Mercury retrogrades in Libra, an air sign this time. When Mercury retrogrades in an air sign, lots of discussion will need to take place, as air signs are highly communicative. Talk to a lot of people and poll their responses. Do a great deal of research, too. Air signs are analytical and modern - you may hear of a solution that is so new, you may not even have known it was possible. Use the answer that seems best for you after going through this process, and make sure you are objective and not emotional in choosing your answer. Libra is also about balance. Be sure that you weigh all ideas and words carefully during the retrograde.

Mercury is a good time for anything that begins with "RE":

• Reorganize
• Reassess
• Redo
• Repair
• Repeat
• Redesign
• Revisit
• Reconsider

This is a great time to reorganize your files or closets. Pack up clothes you haven't worn in a while and give them to charity. Polish your shoes and decide which ones need repair, and while you're at it, decide which appliances need to be taken in for repair as well.

It's interesting, because during Mercury Rx, we seem to find the time to do these things, where we couldn't at other times during the year. When you clean your closets, you will find treasures you thought you lost or had completely forgotten about.

The bottom line is that Mercury Retrograde is not something to dread or fear. It's simply a chance to catch up, and that's a gift in this fast-paced world to which we've adapted. 

So, RElax. It's all going to be okay.