You will often see Astrologers and even Psychics cringe and then sigh when Mercury Retrograde is mentioned, and those around raise an eyebrow and ask what the inside scoop is.

Mercury Retrograde occurs three times a year, and lasts for several weeks during each time period. It is said that Mercury Retrograde goes backwards, or takes a vacation. Mercury is ruled by communication, so anything with communication, contracts and legal obligations can and often does go haywire. We begin the first Mercury Retrograde of 2013 on February 23^rd lasting until March 17th, but we are within the shadow of chaos two weeks before it begins and two weeks afterwards. Sort of like when you know your vacation is coming up, and you start to wind down a couple weeks before it, and then it takes awhile to get into the swing of things when you get back. Yep, just like that.

The easiest way to deal with Mercury Retrograde is to think of it as a ‘re’ time. Meaning, it is time to renovate, renew, revise, return, revisit, refinance, renegotiate, review, etc. When buying things during this time, they often work for a short period and then break. When getting a job at this time, it is often short term (it doesn’t mean you get fired, it can also mean you get promoted!). When purchasing a house or a big ticket item, be prepared for issues. To put it in a nutshell, it isn’t a great time to make big changes, huge commitments, or have ‘the talk’ with a romantic partner. Instead is a time to look in the past (review) at what you need to let go of, it can be material or emotional, and correct it for a better future. Sort of like set up for the party, but don’t invite anybody yet. It isn’t a grand time to start anything new, unless it is something you can say you are re-newing.

We all like to make excuses.

“Is it a full moon or what?”

Well, many add Mercury Retrograde to the repertoire for excuses.

“Damn, my dishwasher broke. Stupid Mercury Retrograde!”

I admit it, sometimes I blame the moon and stars (and planets) too. I like explanations and if I can look at the celestial, which cannot bite back (or can it?) and point my finger, it sometimes makes me feel better. Look at it from a realistic standpoint too, though. Sometimes it just is what it is and poor Mercury needs a break too!

So, how do you handle the next three weeks? Carefully. You may talk, and feel as if nobody is listening. Think Charlie Brown’s teacher. People may be more spacey. Your, and others, energy may be a bit more lazy. And if you are traveling, you may have more issues with the car, train, or plane. Instead of cringing, sighing and whining, Mercury Retrograde teaches us patience. Sometimes I think all of us have lost ourselves as our world has gotten so complicated and electronically driven. So when you told your kid to do something twenty times instead of the normal ten times, and it still isn’t done – take some deep breathes and repeat (see the ‘re’) a different way. If you haven’t heard from that job you applied for, submit your resumes to different places, Just know that after this period they may review your application and give you a call. If that cute boy you had your eye on hasn’t called you, instead of wondering and driving yourself and your friends neurotic, take the time to work on yourself.

So what should you expect during this time? Be prepared for frustration with missed or late appointments, missed flights, broken electronics, ornery people, crabby bosses, lost mail or packages, and the list goes on and on. Think of it as a test of wills, a time of (re)flection on what really matters in your life.

What NOT to do during Mercury Retrograde

• This is a horrible time to make important decisions such as:
• Buying a new car
• Signing legal documents
• Starting or accepting a new job
• Filing legal papers/court documents
• Buying electronics
• Putting your house up for sale
• Buying a new house/leasing apartment
• Meeting new people/relationship/work etc.

Mercury Retrograde does ask for you to look in the mirror at yourself, pulling out the rearview mirror even, and seeing what demons you have carried with you through the years – and then doing an exorcism of sorts.

We all need practice in patience and although most of us all hate lessons, this is one you don’t need to study for.  Release and grow. And then party on St. Patrick’s day, not because it is St. Patty’s day, but because Mercury comes back from vacation the next day – until June 26^th when we can again start blaming Mercury.