By Guest Cheney Hall, from Atlanta, Georgia
Mercury begins its second RETROGRADE journey for 2014 tomorrow, June 7th, at 7:57 AM EDT ... if you've been following my blogs, then you know what to expect during a Mercury Retrograde … as always - EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!!! ... It is very important to understand that planetary retrogrades are NOT ALWAYS the harbingers of doom and gloom ... even though it is true they can cause disruption and misunderstandings, we have to realize these are simply Universal "time outs" which give us the opportunity to drop back and rethink and review our actions being generated by the planet which is retrograde, especially as the energy relates to the sign and house in ones natal chart that planet is currently transiting through ... bottom line - though we often joke about it, retrogrades shouldn't always be feared and dreaded but perhaps approached cautiously ... the Universe is giving us a chance to right our wrongs and redirect ourselves to achieve more beneficial personal and spiritual growth !!! ... some of you may have noticed the backward energy beginning to make itself apparent already as Mercury entered its shadow point - the point where it will come out of the retrograde on July 1st - back on May 22nd at 24 degrees 23 minutes of Cancer ... it practically goes without saying that things somehow just don't seem to go right or as we planned, and we often find ourselves RE-DOING things especially after Mercury stations back into direct motion ... of course it is not unusual to have people from our past come back around but it usually ends up being for only what I refer to as a "pass and review" ... obviously there is always the chance that something done within a previous Mercury retrograde may come back to "bite" us and require that we address the issue and resolve it ... Mercury was last retrograde from February 6th through February 28th, and last year from October 21st through November 10th, June 26th through July 20th and February 23rd through March 17th ... and yes, even Mercury retrogrades prior to last year could produce some unexpected issues to come up during this current retrograde !!! ... Gemini and Virgo born, as this is your planetary ruler ... it is once again time for you to step back to review and re-evaluate what has been going on in your life particularly since February 28th ...
Obviously communications are going to be challenged both to and from others - partnerships and relationships often hit the skids during these periods ... it is NOT a good time to make major purchases - especially Cars, a big NO NO - that goes double for USED CARS ... nor is it a good time to purchase computers or anything that involves electronics ... also purchasing homes can end up producing unforeseen problems and even the contracts can have unexpected difficulties along the way or at closing especially if the closing takes place during the retrograde period .... it is also not a good idea to enter into contracts or start new jobs as they will most likely not pan out and end up being dead ends ... and weddings, well I know it takes a long time to plan a wedding and some of them will just have to go on as planned, but if you can avoid a wedding in a Mercury Retrograde - DO IT !!! .... obviously one cannot put their life on hold, but if there is any way to hold off on these things until Mercury turns direct, it would prove beneficial in the long run ... I have frequently found, though, that in some charts I've done, people born under a Mercury retrograde sometimes seem to thrive during these periods because they innately understand the backward energy and how to work with it ...
To RE-PEAT, Mercury retrogrades are simply a time for reviewing and revision - as the saying goes, "it might be a good idea to drop back and punt" !!! ... this second Mercury retrograde for 2014 is another dual sign retrograde ... it will go from 3 degrees Cancer back to 24 degrees Gemini ... during a Mercury retrograde period it can be said that we are in a mental "down time" and often things will not register on a conscious level with us ... it is said that the use of Mercury retrograde cycles are to reconnect the individual with the Universal rhythm and get back in synch with it ... if you've had a natal chart done and know in which houses these signs and degrees fall, then you will probably get an idea of where in life the Universe is asking you to step back and take a closer look at what you are doing in that area of your life especially in regard to your mental processing and communicating ... it's where issues most often will arise for you in addition to the other general issues that can annoy everyone during the retrograde period ...
Mercury retrograding in the sign of Cancer yields emphasis for an opportunity to rethink how we emotionally respond to life ... and being in a water sign, Mercury retrograding in Cancer produces a strong desire to retreat inward ... when Mercury retrogrades in a water sign our feelings and emotions are strongly activated and, as challenging and sometimes even painful as it can be, we MUST address them in order to promote personal healing by making us have to work harder at producing a more stable balance between our emotional and the mental processes ... as waters can run very deep, that is where we most likely are going to have to dive into ourselves to come face to face with our innermost feelings and emotions ... and wherever this retrograde energy falls by house in your natal chart, actions could arise in that area of your life causing you to undergo a careful and hopefully honest examination to determine if these feelings and emotions are producing a positive or negative contribution to the quality of your life ... this is also an excellent time to keep a dream journal to discover what the Universe is revealing to us deep within our unconsciousness ... even though this can be challenging, it can be an excellent time for honest self evaluation if we have the strength, trust and courage to allow the process to unfold ... the last time Mercury was retrograde in the sign of Cancer was from June 26th through July 20, 2013, from 23 degrees back down to 13 degrees ... but the house emphasis could possibly shift somewhat as Mercury got no further than 3 degrees of Cancer this time before beginning its retrograde journey ... can you remember what was going on back then ??? ... even though the degrees are different, issues from that period could come back for you to review and reexamine ...
In addition to the "usual suspect" issues which arise during a Mercury retrograde, being in Cancer there will probably be issues which arise including : your home, parents, family, foundations, psychological roots, personal security, property - houses and/or real estate, for some the closing years of life, and endings of any kind ... these are all issues addressed in the 4th house of the zodiac naturally ruled by Cancer ...
In regards to overall health, remember Mercury is the natural planetary ruler of the 6th house which rules health, so there could be more chances to have health issues in general during a Mercury retrograde ... and being in Cancer especially in the areas of the beast and stomach ... the stomach area most likely being activated by emotional stress conflicting with the digestive process ... this is usually not a good time to have surgery as the healing process could be slowed down or there could be the chance of having to go back at a later date and take care of something that wasn't done correctly - especially in regards to cosmetic surgery !!! ... now this applies to elective surgery ... as for emergency surgery, we have no control over that and trying to put that off might produce catastrophic results !!!!
On June 17th, Mercury will return to the sign of Gemini at 6:05 AM EDT ... the emphasis will then shift from an emotional to an intellectual process of thinking and communicating ... Mercury was in the sign of Gemini from May 7th through May 29th, so it is very likely that issues from that period will resurface for you to review and reflect upon ... this is also the point when the retrograde period could get even more challenging as Gemini is one of the signs Mercury naturally rules ... Mercury retrograding in the sign of Gemini yields emphasis for us to rethink how we respond to life and how we relate - intellectually more so than emotionally ... and as Gemini is an air sign and rules the 3rd house which includes all forms of communication, you can bet these are going to get crossed and frequently especially as this is what normally gets affected in a Mercury retrograde regardless of the sign it is in ... with the keyword of the 3rd house being "awareness", there will be times when we seem to be "lost in a fog" and not processing clearly ... along with communications, there could be issues regarding your local environment, brothers and sisters, all means of transportation especially in relation to short trips, and the adaptability of ones mind to learn and understand new ideas ... in regards to health, issues could flare up regarding the hands, arms, shoulders and lungs ... Mercury was last retrograde in Gemini briefly from May 7th through May 13th, 2009 and completely retrograde in Gemini from May 26th through June 19th, 2008 ...
Below I have re posted the "Mercury Retrograde Survival Manual" written by my teacher Lyn Hammond Gray ... hopefully it will help out :
"Here is your Survival manual: Mercury retro always creates a repeating action. The Re-Words are common. Some re-words that you will notice during this time are:
Repeat – The action you are making during the RX period you will probably repeat again during the period or later.
Repair – The need for repair will arise. If possible, put if off until Mercury turns direct (July 1st).
Reverse - You will be amazed at how many times you change your mind or reverse your thinking during this time. Watch out for that race car driver that is driving in reverse down the emergency lane on the freeway. Yikes!....
Recall - Your mind will wonder back. You will think of people from the past or you will encounter someone from the past. If old lovers show up, don't bet that it will stick. Believe me... it is just for a "review." (And if it does last, I want to be the first to know about it. E-mail me and let me know). And you know what, I wouldn't start a new romance during this period either - wait until after July 1st !!!
Review - If you are reading instructions, you may find it necessary to review repeatedly because they simply don't make sense. Sometimes the publisher has actually left out a step. It happens!
Regroup - In corporations, it is a common experience during the Rx to hear the boss say, 'Alright, we are going to rework this thing and get it right.' Later when the period is over, they go back to the old way doing things. It is a laugh a minute. Stand back and watch the comedy.
Reboot and Revise - The computer world is a definite place to watch the comedy. It is common for one to suddenly, without fore thought, decide to revise their system during the Rx. Oh! Mercy! That revised system may never function in the normal way. Oh, please! Do wait until the period is over. However, it is fine to do your shopping for the new components during the Rx. When you do go to purchase your parts after July 1st, you will find better deals and buys.
Return - Now here is a good one. You'll find that this period is a popular time for family or class reunions. Should you stay are home? Absolutely not! You go because this is a review that you don't want to miss. But funny thing is that in spite of the fact that you tell these people 'lets stay in touch' it will become lip service and you won't live up to your suggestion.
Rebirth – Often one will go back into the past and bring up old creative projects to work with during this time frame. Sometimes it sticks and sometimes it doesn't. Only you will be able to activate the discipline to keep it going once the retrograde period is over.
Recover - You can bet that you will dig into your files, boxes or storage to recover something that you need…you can also bet it won't be an easy find. It is likely that you will be looking for a legal document· While it is possible that you may not find what you are looking for, you may find something that you would like to put back in to use. Fun!
Re-examine – Well, just about everything.
Reduction – Over the years, I have been amazed at how many times a company or person decides to eliminate a job or to leave a job during the retrograde. It is my experience that a job changed during this period is 95% of the time regretted. Can you wait until the period is over, dear heart?
And so it is. Three times a year we live this cosmic "going to teach you patience routine". All and all when this retrograde period is over you may "Realize" this simple truth: The flow of the universe is very, very interesting and it is going to have its way with us.
Good luck and may the Universe bestow upon each one of you a special wisdom and unique insight into your journey through this life at this point!!! "
BACK TO ME NOW .... Those born between June 7th and July 1st will most likely have Mercury retrograde energy in their solar return - birthday chart - for the whole year ahead ... if you were born between June 8th and June 16th, you will get the Mercury retrograde in Cancer energy ... if you were born between June 18th and June 30th, you will get the Mercury retrograde in Gemini energy ... those born on June 17th will get either one or the other depending on what time your solar return occurs ... those born on June 7th or July 1st may or may not get the retrograde energy depending on what time your solar return occurs ... below is a repeat explanation of what it means to have Mercury Retrograde for the whole year in your birthday chart summed up by Mary Fortier Shea in her book titled "Planets in Solar Return":
"The significance of having Mercury retrograde in your yearly birthday chart or, as we refer to it in Astrology, a Solar Return ...
A Solar Return is the time every year that the Sun returns to the same degrees and minutes it was at when you were born - all the more reason to know your birth time now isn't it, hmmmmm????? ... a new chart is run for you at the time your solar return occurs in that given year and it is run for wherever you are at the precise time of your solar return ... this produces a new horoscope chart which shows what energy you may or may not run into for the year ahead - that is from the current birthday until next years’ birthday ... its energy can be felt from one to three months out before the actual solar return occurs ... often people will relocate for the return time in order to get a particular energy in their solar return chart ...
Mercury is usually retrograde in a solar return chart every six years ... during this time it's best to be introspective ... you should be learning and thinking on your own rather than depending on others ... the mind is like an overstuffed drawer seriously in need of re-filing and reorganization ... in other words the time has come to "process" ... the mental processes are not very receptive to new information at this time ... it's time to go back and re-examine and review things in your life which may have been started but not carried through to fruition or maybe interrupted and suddenly abandoned for some reason ... by focusing inward you might be able to see that your own opinions, thoughts and decisions work best for you rather than those made by others ... at the same time be very receptive to the feedback others are giving you especially if you have missed the mark in regard to some endeavor ... another side effect of this energy is secretiveness where you decide to withhold information or sometimes outright lie ... and why ??? .. because you have secrets that need to be kept or else were you to express your opinions and thoughts outwardly it could cause tension in your relationships ... have plenty of ice cream around to soothe the tongue you are most likely going to have to bite frequently this year !!! ... this is a great year to keep a journal and put your thoughts down on paper and also to write original material ... sometimes you can see things differently when thoughts and ideas are written down which is a very helpful way to get organized ... this is a year where you will probably realize old opinions and beliefs are now outdated thus encouraging you to reassess your thinking, reformulate previously developed ideas, and shed new light on something on some level of your life that needs to be addressed ...
It doesn't really have to be a bad year ... done wisely, fast forwarding to the past and clearing out the "clutter", you can propel yourself further ahead in life than you originally may have thought !!! "
Mercury remains retrograde until July 1st ... there will undoubtedly be lights going ON in our heads as well as other lights going OUT while this Mercury Retrograde energy produces its cosmic disruption for the next 25 days ... so slow down and try not to act too impulsively or the day may come in the near future when you live to regret what you did ... tempers will flare and patience may become scarce, but that personal sense of humor, being one of your greatest allies, should be called upon frequently as the Mercury Retrograde merrily wreaks havoc and/or bestows enlightenment to each one of us ... and in the end my fellow beings of light, as this second dual sign Mercury Retrograde period of 2014 is now upon us, the question once again as usual becomes : Will we become the constant victim of Cosmic Chaos, become the recipient of great Cosmic Clarity ... or BOTH ??? ... Best to go with the flow and not try to swim upstream in a raging current of cosmic confusion !!!
www.chiron2000.blogspot.com
