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Mercury
Retrograde Periods in 2004 by Bob Mulligan
Everyone
has heard of times when Mercury (Messenger of the
Gods) turns retrograde. This period is when things
go "wrong" with travel, communication, and planning.
Every calendar year has an average of three retrograde
Mercury periods, lasting about three weeks. Well,
2004 is blessed with four times when Mercury is retrograde.
Our
first Mercury retrograde was at the first of the year.
We started 2004 with Mercury retrograde. Mercury turned
direct on the 6th of January. We enter our second
Mercury retrograde period April 6th. Mercury is going
to stay retrograde until the 30th. Our third retrograde
period is from August 9th until September 2nd. Our
fourth and last Mercury retrograde period in 2004
is from November 30th until December 20th.
Astrology
teaches us that every moment of time is perfect for
something. Retrograde periods are great for some activities,
but not so great for others. We are only disappointed
when we try to use a moment of time for a task that
it wasn’t designed for.
So,
what does retrograde Mercury mean? From the viewpoint
of earth, it appears during this time that Mercury
slows down, stops, then moves backward (in the opposite
direction in the zodiac from the Sun). Then, approximately
twenty days later, Mercury again slows down, stops,
then turns forward once more. This phenomenon happens
on the average of three times a year, but as I have
said, it actually happens four times in 2004.
During
Mercury retrograde periods, our thought process tends
to be more reflective. Because of this natural inwardness,
it is a good time to rewrite, revise, rethink, or
redo old projects. This is a great period for catching
up on stuff; things that you set aside saying you
will do them when you have time. Make time and go
through those piles of paperwork, answer mail, phone
calls and pay attention to the things you have left
for later. Now is later. If you aren't ever going
to do them, be honest with yourself. Just throw the
stuff away and let go of the idea that you will get
to it someday.
This
is also a time that usually greets us with some frustration.
Because Mercury rules communication, transportation,
and connections in general, and this is a time of
looking backwards, we often find ourselves misplacing
something, missing an important phone call or letter.
It is often feels as if the universe conspires against
us. But, the universe always presents us with what
we really need, including information. Our part in
all this is learning to listen. Retrograde Mercury
periods are the best time to take a look at where
we have been, to draw the conclusions from our observations,
and then make plans based on the achievable.
If
you are "plunging along full force" and things start
going wrong, don't be frustrated, change. Look and
see if something you have done is causing the difficulty.
Re-empower yourself. Perhaps you have a habit of mind
or action that has outlived its usefulness and now
should be altered. If so, correct your actions or
thoughts. You will be rewarded in your daily life,
especially during coming retrograde periods. Remember,
retrograde Mercury periods aren't meant to be avoided.
This isn't a time of no activity. Retrograde Mercury
is a time to review your basic assumptions and check
your foundations. This is not usually the best time
to sign a contract (you are apt to change your mind),
buy a new product (you may end up taking it back),
or take a long journey with specific goals in mind
(delays and changes can be disturbing). Important
contracts, major purchases, and significant travel
are usually better when initiated in a period of Mercury
in direct motion.
You
may, however, breeze through Mercury retrograde without
any noticeable difficulties. This is the universe
telling you that your organizational skills and work
habits get "passing marks". On the other hand, these
difficulties may be occurring in your life without
you noticing. Sometimes you may be in denial as to
your true situation. Sometimes we don't see difficulties
in a Retrograde Mercury period because we are so confused
that these setbacks don't seem out of the ordinary.
In any event, Retrograde Mercury is a sign of the
times that should only be welcomed, just like the
changing of the seasons or going back to school. But,
just like the changing of the seasons, learn what
this period is good for universally. Then discover
the uses of this time in your own personal life situation.
"Hang loose", be open to switching your projections
to meet the realities of everyday life. Let the universal
timing of the cosmos help you. Be willing to change
any of your overly ambitious or simply "wrong headed"
plans.
On
the 6th of April, when Mercury turns retrograde at
1 degree of Taurus, we will find ourselves about as
over-extended as we can be. Both Venus and Mars (masculine
and feminine past) are in Gemini, ruled by Mercury.
This can show a returning to and reevaluating habits
of our love nature from the past. Keep your focus
on the things from your immediate past that need completion
and you will be very happy with how things turn out
in April.
Bob
Mulligan is available for personal appointments, astrology
classes, and astrological material. Call him at 239-261-2840
or e-mail him at bobmulliga@aol.com
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