Mercury, the planet of communication enters its thrice a year retrograde stage on October 4 and will remain in a backward momentum, as it were, until October 26.

Most of us dread Mercury in retrograde. We think of it as an extremely negative period, a frustrating time filled with irritating technical problems, confused communications, and mishaps. Mercury in retrograde has a very bad rap, indeed.



I should know. As a Virgo (which is ruled by Mercury), I am usually affected quite profoundly. But over the years I have learned a thing or two about how to survive in one piece, and how to use this potentially frustrating phase in a fruitful manner.



When Mercury is moving direct, our minds tend to work on a functional/forward level. Our actions match our intentions. Our energy is invested in more assertive decision-making and action with less emphasis on retrospection and reflection.



However, we are constantly picking up on unconscious intuitive information, which will surface - if we let it - during the retrograde cycle. And this is a very good thing.

We need time to rest and assimilate all the information that we are bombarded with in our techno, multitasking world. A time for our inner wisdom to manifest and guide us to reorganize, rethink, reevaluate, redo, and reboot. This is a crucial and healthy part of the organic, natural flow of life.



The clock and dollar orientation that our culture calls "the real world," is comprised of schedules, deadlines, and to-do lists, which don't often accommodate a cycle of introspective reflection and reevaluation. This is why this period can be so brutal for some of us - especially those of us with determined, steely goals and agendas.



Mercury, as most of us know, tends to play havoc with the

smooth functioning of the technology upon which we depend for our achievements and communication. It also tends to mix up face-to-face communications and the best laid plans of wo/men. The results are often interruptions, snafus, misunderstandings, and mix-ups which interfere with the simplest of projects.



During Mercury in Retrograde, we will need more caution, more care, and a pinch more elbow grease to get things done. This is not a good time to launch or initiate new projects. In trying to do so, we will be pushing off, metaphorically, just when the tide is coming in, and it will be more of a struggle to make headway with our plans. It is far better to wait until the current is moving with us.



The degree to which we hold onto our need to keep to our schedules, agendas, and plans often equates to the degree in which we find ourselves going bonkers during this time. When we doggedly hold fast to our logical, rational, structures, we court the "trickster" element of Mercury, which will fool and frustrate us to no end.



Now is the time that we must surrender our forward-leaning push and embrace the lessons of letting go. We must not underestimate the degree to which our psyche can resist change. The abdication of our will/ego to a deeper function of consciousness can be quite a challenge as the retrograde cycle continues. But there is great reward if we manage to do so.



This period is a perfect time to clear our minds. To go back and complete unfinished projects. To work on reconciling old issues. To tune into our dreams and unconscious thoughts. To listen to our inner wisdom. To open to new ways of thinking and perceiving.



So rather than pushing against the cosmic current, let's take a three week break from our hectic, breakneck, speedy ways and allow ourselves to slow down. To summon up and sort out the past. To be in the moment. And to savor the NOW.