Blast from the Past: Mercury Retrograde

From 6th to 28th February, Mercury is in its reverse phase, kicking off
in tropical Pisces (a sign which prefers telepathy to plain speech anyway). London Underground is on strike, the sporting managerial merry-go round is in full swing, and Bill Roache has been found not guilty. Never a dull moment. 

Mercury retro is the period in Mercury’s orbit where it goes slower than the Earth’s. Mercury is left behind and appears to go backwards, like a slow train being overtaken by a faster one. This happens three times a year, for roughly three weeks at a time. Mercury is the planet of the mind. So during these spells, your thinking goes backwards and you move on to another track. You second-guess, re-evaluate and un-think. Second thoughts seem better, as Mercury is overtaken by events, but this condition is only temporary. Once Mercury moves ahead as usual, ideas cooked up in the retrograde period seem out of sync.

Mercury retrograde is a phenomenon, like cusps, compatible elements and rising signs, that has almost reached the level of common knowledge. People on the periphery of astrology understand that it’s a time when communication gets screwed up and buyer’s remorse kicks in. Well… not quite perhaps and it’s totally wrong to generalise, but like the biggest clichés, this perception contains a pinch of the truth. Mercury retro brings unforeseen circumstances you can count on. Predictably unpredictable, reliably unreliable. It’s rather like a very sharp bend in the road: the signs tell you it’s coming, but you still can’t see what’s around the corner.

Keep track of the number of times you have to take things back to the shop when Mercury performs its gyrations. The assistant has bagged the wrong shirt, your new sofa doesn’t fit through the door, your digital gizmo isn’t compatible. You spend more time arguing with the after-sales staff than enjoying your new goodies. Watch the news for a time of political U-turns, reversals of fortune, and the hand of fate. A ringing endorsement before Mercury’s backward path is not enough to spare those in public office from the sack, as their bosses rationalise and rethink. The cabinet is ruthlessly reshuffled, the post office goes on strike and the train drivers come out in sympathy. So why go against the flow? Knowing Mercury’s backwards phases is useful stuff.

The best part of Mercury is the opportunity to try again, to have a second bite at the cherry. Something didn’t work out first time around. You didn’t get the job or you didn’t get the girl. Part of the jigsaw was missing, something you didn’t know then that you do now. The element of fate is never far away and it’s tempting to believe something is meant for you when opportunity knocks again. It can be a period of enforced learning, where solutions appear to long-standing technical problems. The computer screwed up and you lost a bunch of data, but you sure as hell know your software programme now after taking your project back to the drawing board. You understand the ins and outs of the postal system intimately after hours spent tracking down your missing parcel. Or that damn refund you spent ages haggling for materializes under the following Mercury retro period, three months later.

It’s great for editing, refining and clearing out. Deleting old emails, catching up on correspondence, cleaning out your closet. If you really want to hedge your bets, put all stuff ready for the chop in a special bin or file and wait until Mercury Direct to make the final call. Your talents and special skills resurface too. Extracurricular interests left on the back-burner take up more time after-hours, as you realise they are not overnight wonders and won’t quickly go away. You remember the novel you started, the re-decoration you planned, the songs you demo-ed. Dreams to study Yoga, dance, acting, astrology, bubble up again in your mind, only this time you do something about it. Like a detour from your regular journey, you find the scenic route, the Plan B, and your fallback position.

People who have disappeared from your world, old friends and connections who dropped off the radar, come back into your world. Either they contact you directly, out of the blue, or your paths cross on neutral territory. Your ex’ calls to say hi, and would you like to get together (or asks for a raise in the child support)? The house that Mercury retrogrades in, tells you the backdrop to the business. The actual person who reappears unexpectedly is often not as important as the message they have for you. In true Mercurial fashion, your personal blast from the past acts as a cosmic mouthpiece and brings you crucial intelligence.

There are no hard-and-fast rules about how far in the past the reminder comes from. It is not always from the last Mercury retro period, or even from a Mercury retro period at all. It could be from last month or twenty years ago. It could even be from a previous lifetime… Yup, textbook deja-vu experiences come up a lot during these phases, a sign of your mind returning to a place in your psychic history. Recurring dreams, too. So next time you find yourself back at school, naked, and facing that exam you haven’t studied for, check the ephemeris for Mercury’s backward phase when you wake up.

Mercury retrograde natally isn’t an affliction as such, if you don’t mind seeing everything backasswards. Most people look out of the window to admire the view: your attention is drawn to the curtain rail. Put a horoscope in front of you and the first thing you notice is the house system. There is a streak of perversity here, someone who loves making things complicated, or over-solves every problem. You learn the hard stuff first and go back and master the basics last. 

Thanks for asking...

Between Venus going direct at the end of January and Mercury retrograding on Thursday 6th, it seems like a good moment for an update. 

Thanks for your kind comments and inquiries regarding weekly stars. I am absolutely fine, but simply busy with many commitments, teaching in particular, which is getting a good response. I kept a column going all last year and I am always encouraged by the numbers of people tuning in.

In 2014 I am focusing more on client work. One-to-one readings are the lifeblood of astrology, for both client and astrologer. More than writing, teaching or lecturing, this is where one learns the most. I would encourage everyone to have their charts checked out, based on an accurate birth time.

I will be in India from 21st Feb - 4th March, including some time in Varanasi, please let me know if you would like a Yagya performance. Watch this space for photos and a full holiday debrief when I return.

Weekly Stars January 5th 2014

Drop me a line at astrovedas.com to  book your 2014 personal reading.
Please include your time, date and place of birth, as accurately as possible.

Capricorn
Revisiting old haunts, revamping your image, or having someone from yesteryear reappear are all possibilities. Venus, planet of affection, goes backwards and you see a familiar relationship from a new angle. You feel the hand of fate, but nowhere it says you have to befriend someone at the point of a gun. The choice is yours, but you can have that conversation now that you meant to have before. Focus on achievable aims rather than fight a war on several fronts. Macho Mars gives you energy at work and you call it as you see it on Wednesday. Friday's waxing moon inspires you to get away, and a subject you love rewards close study.

Aquarius
Behind the scenes is where the action lies and your private thinking moves mountains. A brainwave is boosted by meditation, and an inspired notion bubbles up fully formed. Check out an old romantic flame beyond the glare of publicity and tune out unsympathetic noises from the boss. Give generously.

Pisces
Creative compromise is called for when steering a joint project. You take care of the vision thing while others do the heavy lifting. Your executive streak knows what success looks like and you stand out in like-minded company. Turn up early and target Monday's Pisces Moon for an audacious proposal.

Aries
Somebody close gives you the go-ahead to satisfy your inner rebel. Mars, your ruler, brings matters into the open, and a domestic declutter clears the air. Put down roots while you are still in wanderlust mode - you need a haven to come back to. Tuesday's Aries Moon puts you across in a flattering light.

Taurus
Venus, your ruler, backtracks and you revive an old romantic feeling. Someone shows you their vulnerable side and you move on to a new level in this knowledge. Bull birthdays around 11-13th May are under pressure and you revise your big ambitions. Take heart, and an older person shares insight.

Gemini
You take a subtle lead and get your way without trying. Speak out after holding your tongue too long, and you move on with a clearer feeling. Ruler Mercury gives you a diplomatic touch on Tuesday and you grab a second chance. Trust your money luck and revive a project that foundered through fear.

Cancer
You try to sidestep someone from the past, but connecting makes you wise. Mercury and Venus collide in your relationship zone and you catch up and compare notes. Your feet are on the ground and you know it takes more than love. Be a listener and a sympathetic touch works on Monday morning.

Leo
Providing a service is your touchstone and a fill-in position has unexpected promise. Attend to your diet and a conversation at the health club sparks a new direction. You are building a platform at home, don't rush it or let a skeptic put you off. Thursday inspires a bid for promotion, it's coming soon.

Virgo
Discuss past affairs with a forgotten face who appears as if by fate. Mercury, your ruler, gives you a stubborn streak, yet others have good ideas to share. Virgo birthdays, up to August 26th, are feeling escapist and you want someone to rescue you. Get busy, and refined assertion makes money.

Libra
Your latent action hero comes across as you make up for lost time. Potent Mars raises the stakes and you target a romantic conquest. A quirky partner has their own ways and you do everything in your own unusual style. Get past a fraught midweek and Thursday's renaissance sees you ready to party. 

Scorpio
You take a duty call with the promise of final credit. Still, satisfaction too long deferred means it's time to look around. Bosses need your kind of talent and taking the leap is half the battle. Your downside is protected and a second chance to send a message is all you need. A quiet weekend to savour shapes up. 

Sagittarius
You make a career calculation and choose between love and gold. A timely windfall changes the landscape and technology carries the prospect of final freedom. Shifting your life furniture for success is a step too far, but the challenge still remains. Thursday's affirmation meets a future obstacle in the invisible world.  

New Year Stars December 29

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A spectacular lineup of planets takes us into 2014, climaxing with January 1st's New Moon. Sun, Moon, Mercury, Pluto in Capricorn are at odds with Mars in Libra. Look before you leap and think before you speak. 

Mars's epic stay in Libra stretches until July 26th, and a task calling for balance takes more than one attempt. Make haste slowly. Between this and Venus being retrograde until February, take it easy and give people leeway in your one-to-ones.

Late April sees the fifth in the series of seven Uranus-Pluto squares. It's progressive v. conservative, The People v. The Man, old versus new. Aries, Capricorn, Cancer and Libra birthdays around the 3rd of the given month will feel this most, but it affects us all. Jupiter in Cancer adds to the volatile mix and we'll see extraordinary measures resorted to to protect cherished beliefs and security. Fire signs get a boost with Jupiter hitting Leo in mid-July.

Saturn carries on its work in Scorpio all year and we'll see more fallout from sex and secrecy scandals. Water signs get the good stuff, even when they have to earn it. 

Good news is Saturn's third trine with Jupiter in May, signalling a financial recovery, of sorts. Not for everyone of course, and we're not going back to pre-2008 prosperity just yet. But the boom-and-bust planets aligning suggest that things have at least stopped getting worse.

Someone said 2013 was a Friday the Thirteenth of a year, ironic considering the hype surrounding its predecessor. Wishing everybody a beautiful 2014, with love, peace, joy and enlightenment. 

**************************************************

Capricorn
Finishing up and starting over, you look ahead to a wide vista. January 1st's New Moon is the perfect start to 2014, a powerful moment for your resolution. Decide what you want to embrace and what you need to eliminate, and make the transition quickly. A long-running career saga comes to a head and you choose a modern path over sticking with the status quo. Refine your style and keep your competitive instincts within limits - bite your tongue on Tuesday before blurting out an uncomfortable truth. A change of image works well for the coming year, but nothing too sudden or outre. Your relationships are a source of strength and enlightenment, and you tie up loose ends from the past. Venus, planet of love, retreats through your sign and revisiting an old flame gives insight into your present needs.

Aquarius
Planets bunched into your chart's quiet zone give you time to reflect. Read, edit and refine, and arrive at a new formula for an old idea. Still, there is turbulence below the surface and people wonder what you are dreaming about. The diet is a big theme for this time of year and you decide what to add and what to leave out. Friday's Aquarius Moon has you looking forward once again. 

Pisces
Visionary ideas are your staple diet to you and you outstrip your own extraordinary limits. Ruler Neptune gives you inspiration and a humanitarian streak to go with your dream. A thumbs-up  from authority seems to restrict your freedom, but you can change the system by joining it. Investing in technology gives you an edge nobody sees yet. Put an idea to the group at Wednesday's New Moon. 

Aries
Summit talks bring sudden change and you balance love and work.  Mars, your ruler, collides with lively Mercury on New Year's Eve and you make a snap judgement. Know how to keep a secret and take a breath before setting a decision in stone. Aim high at home and ask for more than you usually expect. Whether moving home or refurbishing, your luck lies in setting a firm foundation.

Taurus
Pressure mounts to make a decision and you are up to the task. A trip away fires your mind and wide reading gives you knowledge to draw on. Wednesday is D-day and an irrevocable choice comes from a mundane situation. A persistent goal that exceeds your grasp is asking you what you are working for. Your ruler Venus, retrograde, gives you a second chance on the international stage. 

Gemini
Deep discussion gets you into new territory and you dive into the big questions. Mercury, your ruler gives you structure, ambition and power, and research uncovers hidden information. You are fully engaged, but a sense of balance lets you play referee and peacemaker. A money-making scheme that was too ambitious first time presents itself again by Thursday. Accolades and acquisitions arrive at last. 

Cancer
Negotiations ensue before you move on with somebody close. Potent Mars compels you to come down off the fence and your message comes across clearly. Backing off has the effect of drawing an old relationship closer. Remember, you have extraordinary powers and an emotional ask is now within reach. Authority backs your hand, and work in your karmic account pays forwards. 


Leo
Whipping yourself into shape comes easily and it's a perfect use of your time. A spectacular lineup in your work and health zone gives you stellar energy, and you mix energy with knowledge and willpower. Mind over matter sets you apart on Tuesday and kick-boxing is a perfect outlet. Project ahead and dream what you want in the best of all possible worlds. Your Utopia is coming.

Virgo
You are one of the winners from midweek's tense planetary encounter. Mercury, your ruler, gets executive powers and your snap decision is backed by years of experience. Going beyond the obvious in conversation leads into deep waters. Your investment instincts are sound and a fleeting romantic moment has long-lasting resonance. An impulse buy satisfies an itch, but do you really need this thing?

Libra
Arms-length diplomacy gets you so far, but the time comes to get your hands dirty. Mars, planet of action, fires you up and a fellow free-thinker suits your taste in love. A three-way tug of war between work home and relationship springs sudden change heading into 2014. Think laterally, and reshaping your home revives your luck and invites people closer. Wait until Saturday to make your stand.

Scorpio
Time stretches long as you weigh work and effort. Saturn, planet of ambition, makes you build every brick of your personal monument and puts a hurdle or three in your path. Keep your focus and a faraway goal pulls gradually closer. Karmic credit comes to your aid and you make an inspired choice in business. Your statecraft is top-notch as you become a keynote figure in your field.

Sagittarius
Dig you heels in on a purchase and haggle hard. Planets bunch in your finance zone and you make sure you get paid for your punditry. Jupiter, your ruler, is empowering in business and you let your personal boundaries down without fear. The virtual world is your friend as a digital gizmo comes into its own. Monday's Sagittarius Moon closes 2013 on a high and you have big skies to journey towards.

Weekly Stars December 22nd 2013

Solstice is here, folks, the light returns. Merry Christmas!

 Capricorn

The festive period brings you the chance to reacquaint and rekindle an old flame. Venus, planet of love, goes backwards and a hidden quality in somebody close becomes evident. For better or worse, you wonder 'who is this person?' Tensions arise at home, naturally, but benevolent Jupiter keeps you sunny and nobody is so estranged that you can't bridge the gap. Put your dry wit to good use by Christmas Eve, and a family occasion lets you run your ideas past the committee. You prefer a traditional celebration, but others at home opt for an alternative festival. Spring a surprise on D-Day, Wednesday, and a break from routine shows everyone you can do it differently.

Aquarius
Keep an affair private while you sort out your feelings. Venus, planet of affection, reverses and you are right to suspend judgement. Indulgence is the order, yet you pick this time to launch your new ethical diet. True to type, you combine creative leadership and pure chaos, and your abrupt decision on Christmas Day proves correct. 

Pisces
Take a richly-earned rest and plot your success. It's coming. Ruler Jupiter gives you the confidence trick and you aim for bigger and better in 2014. A sociable feel surrounds you and the pre-Xmas shopping stress subsides to give you a restful Yuletide. You back up words with deeds and move mountains as if they are sandcastles.  

Aries
Your urge for change reaches screaming pitch by Christmas Day and you don't deny it. Still, sublimate your revolutionary feeling and doing something different is the next best thing. A handbreak turn in love keeps someone interested, though a passing whim is not the shape of the future. Home is where your heart, and luck, is.  

Taurus
A high pressure period brings success and you have earned every bit. Once you have made the transition to more meaningful work, there's no need to keep fighting. Venus, your ruler, backtracks and a foreign excursion takes an unexpected direction. Re-skill and upgrade your resume. Saturday 28th eases you off the seasonal merry-go-round.

Gemini
You show leadership nous and a flair for the unusual. An innovative idea doesn't upset the applecart and you bring interested parties round the table. Deep conversation is a change from the usual banter but you like to explore. A financial plan that didn't go far enough has a second wind and you have the belief to make it work.

Cancer
You embody the Christmas spirit and everyone feeds off your energy. Jupiter, planet of generosity, makes sure there's plenty to go round and a naive gesture is unexpectedly wise. Laughs, charm, charisma and mystery combine in your relationships, all with an unpredictable twist. Boxing Day works best to relate your big idea. 

Leo
Sunday's Leo Moon starts your week on an even keel and you get on a level with someone easily. Plan ahead from this centered place. Your diet goes out of the window anyway, so your mission is to get back on track afterwards. It's not what you eat, but what you digest. Lively debate with a sibling inspires a new idea and a new you.

Virgo
 Your creative genius explodes as you revert back to a former way of working. It's so old it's new. Express yourself smartly and innovate while staying true to what works. You are a sucker for every weepy seasonal message, so choose your cause well and stick to it. An eleventh hour bargain waits to be struck on Christmas Eve.

Libra
A motley collection of friends and family make your holiday backdrop. Old faces who dropped off the radar mix with new blood you now see the sense of. You are in assertive mode and duke it out with a partner who is in full contrarian mode. Christmas Day's Libra Moon balances body and soul, and your good angels prevail. 

Scorpio
You plan and plot even in your sleep, but you also need a rest. Switch to standby mode until Boxing Day, then Friday's Scorpio Moon gives you relaunch. Take yourself out of a familiar setup and even a short trip gives you new heart. Get some new credentials and a stroke of purest luck catapaults you into the dream career. 

Sagittarius
Families and how to survive them, your research starts now. A mixture of love and control comes from your clan, and you seek a middle way that gives you freedom. The impetus to break away comes from someone in your charmed circle. Make a calculation on Christmas Eve and a golden item comes within your reach.  

Weekly Stars December 15th 2013

Full Moon in Gemini, Mrigashira Nakshatra on Tuesday 17th.
Good for the birthday boy...

 Sagittarius
Take note of the friendly circles you mix in and keep the big picture in mind. A shared project ticks all the boxes now, but Mars, planet of action, asks whether you want to join in or stand apart. Think where will you be going in the New Year. Tuesday's Full Moon brings a nostalgia-fest with an old face and you revert back to a past way of relating. The seasonal build-up reaches fever pitch and the slightest emotion is magnified - breather deeply and hold on to your centre. Venus, planet of love, turning round on Saturday affects your taste and you change your mind on a luxury item.

Capricorn
A marathon work project suits your mood and you have time to bring results home. Be confident, get credit for your input, and see your assertive stance win respect. Prepare for the unexpected on Saturday, and affectionate Venus gives you a second bite at a relationship that won't go away.  

Aquarius
A private meeting smooths your love life and gives you a new angle. Put energy into travel and study, and you add initials after your name. Tuesday's Full Moon brings a creative masterstroke and you can't hide your feelings. Ideas and innovation move ahead and your quirky charm comes into its own.

Pisces
Your mission is to make the vision in your head real. Neptune, your ruler, trips you up only when you don't believe you can do it. You have balance, poise and executive powers, as luck and perseverance combine. An ad campaign promotes your special talent and Thursday adds depth to a first date.

Aries
An off-the-wall plan moves forward as you forget about being polite. Uranus, planet of innovation, embraces the new world and it's your way or no way. Somebody puts pressure on you to take notice and you decide how far you want to collaborate. Still, you play nice, and smart thinking is your friend.

Taurus
Somebody has a strange fascination, but now the relationship starts making sense. Ambitious Saturn chimes with spiritual Jupiter and you find the perfect balance. Loyalty to a friend is rewarded with real-world influence and success. Spend big at Tuesday's Full Moon and the rewards come back threefold.

Gemini
Your unofficial birthday is here, with Tuesday's Full Moon. Find an early seasonal moment or simply enjoy the feeling inside your skin. You are drawn to somebody smart and a shared laugh breaks the ice. A generous gesture combines with sober advice and you set up security for the long term.

Cancer
Take advantage of the time, you have belief and backing from the brass. A smart practical touch and reliability combine and you head off danger before it arrives. Wednesday's Cancer Moon sees an inspired choice as you snap out of a private reverie. Keep your cool when driving home for Christmas. 

Leo
Someone at home counsels caution and now you see sense in their arguments. Limitations has its uses and you focus on what really matters. A sharp deadline brings out your best work and you refine your teaching talent. Friday's Leo Moon brings mind and body together in a seasonal party setting.

Virgo
You spend big this season and love making a splash. Share your toys and put ego battles over money to one side. An introduction comes from within your group and a familiar face springs a surprise. Tuesday's Full Moon sees a career coup, at an excellent time to make an impression. Do the extra and smile.

Libra
People see a different side of you as you find a competitive edge. You are a self-starter and a romantic conquest is on your mind. The personal touch is still your secret weapon and creative compromise is key. Venus, your ruler, retrogrades on Saturday and imagining a new interior plays to your strengths.

Scorpio
Hours of overtime start paying off and people see what you are doing. You steal a march on your rivals and serendipity strikes as you make your own luck. Take time out, no matter how tight the deadline and an out of hours passion keeps you amused. Thursday's sentimental moment invites someone closer.