So Here we are again. Mercury has turned retrograde and suddenly our favorite astrological sacrificial lamb is offered up before us.

But not so fast.

The nature of Mercury retrograde, and in fact every retrograde planet is a bit more complex than is often discussed. In Vedic astrology for instance a retrograde planet is considered to be “strong”. The word strong is ambiguous to say the least but let’s consider astronomically what is happening and we will soon also understand what type of strength a retrograde planet has.

When a planet is retrograde it is closer to the Earth than at any other time during its orbit. It is exactly the closest when it’s celestial longitude is either exactly the same as the Sun (for Mercury and Venus, planets inside the Earth’s orbit) or exactly opposite the Sun (for planets outside of the Earth’s orbit).

To understand the visual phenomena of a retrograde planet you need only imagine you are traveling down the highway at 70 miles an hour and you pass a car that is going 60 miles an hour. From your perspective, in the faster moving car, the slower moving car appears to be moving backwards. This is exactly what happens with a retrograde planet. It is not actually moving backwards. But based on its current orbital position around the Sun it appears to be moving backwards from our orbital position on the Earth. See the diagram below about Mercury and Venus retrograde and combustion cycles.

As you observe this diagram you will see that Mercury and Venus are retrograde when they are in between the Earth and Sun, closest to the Earth. Outer planets would be retrograde when the  Earth is between them and the Sun.

With Mercury and Venus retrograde, they are the faster moving car. With the outer planets, We are in the faster moving car. But in both instances the planets are closer to the Earth when retrograde.

So, OK – we understand the astronomy – but how does that affect us astrologically and its energies being disbursed in our life.

There is no doubt that a retrograde planet will tend to act unpredictably. Why?, because our life on Earth – through the matrix of the mind and body and its relationship to time (astrology) – is moving forward. The retrograde planet appears to be moving backward. Thus, externally in the world, the retrograde planets’ energy become a source of confusion. We begin to hesitate externally with that thing. With Mercury for instance we become unsure of what to say, we doubt our communication abilities. We become aware of things that seem “unfair”. We may confuse important details that are necessary to move forward. None of this sounds very good does it? So why am I saying it strong? Well, here is why.

Just because something becomes a source of confusion externally does not mean it is bad or weak. In fact, the interruption of the Mercury issues (or any other retrograde planets issues) is a powerful catalyst for internalizing that energy and increasing its reflective power. This power of reflection is something we rarely use while happily going along with our smooth day to day life.

Here is an example. Every day we return home and we take our key and shove it in the lock turn the lock and open the door. We don’t pay attention to the key or the lock. We perform this task mechanically. That is, until one day we come home and the key does not enter the lock — or when we try to turn the key and the lock will not open. When that happens suddenly we pull out the key and examine it very closely. We then see that the key is bent, is dull, and getting worn. We notice the lock is also getting worn. Suddenly we pay attention to the key and the lock. The key and the lock were in that worn state for quite a while. But we didn’t notice it until it messed up externally.

When things are moving smoothly in our life, and we feel comfortable with them, we tend to fall asleep. Retrograde planets create confusion with their external nature. This confusion causes us to hesitate and reflect. This reflection is a powerful catalyst for understanding the inner, deeper nature of the life lesson related to that planet. In the Eastern/Vedic sense we are not necessarily here to be happy. Happiness is a part of life but we are here to learn the truth about who we really are. A retrograde planet as such is “strong” in delivering that lesson to us.

A person who has a retrograde planet in their birth chart will often hesitate with that energy, due to some confusion / lack of confidence with it. The hesitation and confusion will be seen in the areas the planet  rules as a House Lord. For instance, for Libra ascendant, Mercury rules the 9th (Gemini) and 12th (Virgo) houses. Thus, if a Libra rising person has mercury retrograde in the birth chart, things related to the 9th and 12th houses (personal philosophies, teaching, letting go of ideas) will be a source of confusion. But this confusion creates a powerfully reflective nature in the individual. This will be an area of life that is deep and rich within them. The external mistakes and hesitation bring about greater care in using that energy. Over time especially, this can be quite powerful. Based on the dignity and disposition of that natal Mercury (sign and aspectual strength) you predict whether or not these things will lead them to more or less strength.

Mercury retrograde cycles are very good for writing, organizing important projects, and even starting new projects if you find the right auspicious time (called Muhurta). Yet in general, important things such as signing contracts and other types of negotiated agreements where people have to pay attention to important details are better left when Mercury turns direct, if at all possible.

However, people go way overboard with the Mercury retrograde bogeyman analysis. Often you hear that “any contracts signed while Mercury is retrograde will surely get broken” and other things like this. I will tell you, as someone who watches the cycles all the time, I have started many successful things while Mercury was retrograde – including releasing a book and starting an entirely new set of classes and other important things. Now someone may say “well, what if you had waited until Mercury was direct, maybe it would have been even more successful”. Okay, that’s a valid point — and we will never know. Yet, the point is both of these things were very successful by the standard I chose to measure them. My book release paid for the first printing in 24 hours. My astrology classes led to $10,000 in unexpected income over the ensuing three months. Hardly what I would call a failure in any respect.

Between now and October 14 Mercury will be retrograde. However, he will be very well dignified in his own sign of Virgo. This is a great time for writing, reflecting upon important details, and communicating after you have gathered your details accurately. Because you see, the things that are most important to a planet is its dignity – the environment the planet is in.

Mercury in Virgo is always going to be powerful. So this is a powerfully good time for Mercury issues – communication, writing, organizing and managing details. There is nothing wrong with hesitating a little bit before we open our mouth either. One of the benefits of Mercury retrograde for sure.

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So, I said several weeks ago that there would be a conjunction of Venus, Mercury and Mars in Virgo — and it would last for a while.  And so it is,..  Lasting for a while.

Venus is debilitated which shows a general discontent with things, a lack of devotion, and a general sort of “bitchiness”.  Even if these things are not expressed externally, we are feeling them internally.

Venus is the energy in life that makes things enjoyable and pleasant, beautiful, et cetera.  In many ways these are the simple pleasures in life, other people, sensual pleasures, natural beauty, et cetera.  When Venus is in Virgo, like it is now, there are many details, reasons, excuses and problems that interrupt our capacity to enjoy the simple pleasures in life.

Virgo is a “tamasic” sign, one oriented toward fixing problems and protecting ourselves.  In of itself this is not bad, but it has nothing to do with the part of life that Venus rules.  Venus is exalted in the opposite sign, the sign of Pisces – the sign where we have no conditions for the world.  Pisces is a sign where our individual nature most easily merges with the cosmic purpose.  Pisces is the sign where we can feel the pulse of the infinite and magnificent universe.  If a person has Venus in Pisces natally (in their birth chart) the thing that makes them happiest will be connecting to this mystical, abstract, universal energy.  Of course, this makes for a person who is quite spiritual, creative, loving.  Yet, they may have boundary issues or become disappointed easily in the world – preferring to escape into a nether land of fantasy.

But, that is not where we find ourselves right now, .. is it? No.  Not many “Netherworlds and fantasies” these days – except what may be fantasizing about when we will feel more lighthearted and loving again. Venus is in protective Virgo — joined Mars, a planet of protection, and Mercury planet who is very good managing and organizing all of these details.

In fact, Mercury is exalted in Virgo.  This is because Mercury is the part within us that is way too playful, not serious and somewhat distracted.  When you get Mercury in the sign of the Virgo, his skilled nature becomes focused on important things.  In fact, Mercury is the ruler of Virgo.  This rulership of Mercury to Virgo shows how we must handle these problems, issues and laborious details in life – playfully and with skill, humor and flexibility.

We have another few days, then Venus will be much happier — in her own sign of Libra.  Thursday, September 18 Venus will enter Libra – with balloons popping and aplomb.

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Monday, September 8, 2008. The moon is in Sagittarius, joined Jupiter. It is in the Nakshatra of Mula – ruled by the South node. The work Mula means “root”. Today is a day where you can get to the root cause of your problems. You can apply a lot of focus and scrutiny to the things in life that are holding you back today. This probing leads to a deeper hope and optimism later. Be careful of unnecessary destruction that comes from an air of invincibility.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008. The moon is in the Nakshatra of Purva Ashada today – ruled by Venus. The moon is still joined Jupiter and in the sign of Sagittarius. This Nakshatra is related to the ocean, water and the devotion to love that nourishes the flame of knowledge, consciousness and growth. We are all a product of what we love the most. Today is a good day to remind yourself of that. Focusing on and destroying your root problems was yesterday’s work, connecting your strengths with your heart is today’s work.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008. The moon is in the Nakshatra of Uttara  Ashada today – ruled by the Sun. The Deities here are the Vishwa Devas, the Universal gods. This is where the things we love the most infuse a confident and inspired course to the truth of who we truly are and what we truly want. By understanding our duty (dharma), the value of time (kala), and other universal principles that becomes clear. Yesterday’s devotion to truth is the fuel for today’s illumination.

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